Direct Materials Procurement Manager
Position Summary
The Direct Materials Procurement Manager is responsible for leading the procurement strategy and execution for direct materials. This includes managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, ensuring supply continuity, and driving cost and quality improvements. The owner of this role requires deep expertise in the automotive industry and a strong ability to collaborate across functions and geographies.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Category Leadership
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies for key direct material categories.
- Lead RFQ processes, supplier selection, and contract negotiations to secure optimal commercial terms.
- Align procurement strategies with integral commodity teams and regional business objectives.
Supplier Relationship & Performance Management
- Establish and maintain strategic supplier partnerships to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery.
- Conduct quarterly business reviews (QBRs) and manage supplier scorecards (KPIs: delivery, quality, innovation).
- Resolve supply issues and proactively mitigate risks through dual sourcing and contingency planning.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Finance to support new products introductions, cost reduction initiatives, and operational excellence.
- Lead procurement input in cross-functional teams for product changes, capacity expansions, and sustainability initiatives.
Contract & Compliance Oversight
- Draft, review, and manage supplier contracts ensuring compliance with existing policies, legal standards, and ethical sourcing practices.
- Ensure adherence to environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations and corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards.
Data & Process Optimization
- Develop and drive a roadmap of initiatives to improve existing processes and drive cost reductions.
- Drive digital transformation initiatives within procurement, including automation and predictive analytics.




Skills & Competencies
- Strong negotiation and contract management capabilities.
- Analytical mindset with ability to interpret market trends and cost structures.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Project management proficiency across multiple initiatives.
- Deep understanding of automotive industry standards such as IATF 16949, PPAP, APQP, ISO 9001, VDA).
- Familiarity with direct material categories and their impact on product performance and cost.
- Experience with sustainability, supplier innovation, and risk management frameworks.
- 3-5 years of experience with SAP (S/4HANA version is strongly preferred).
- 5 years of experience leading teams.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).
- Professional certifications such as CSCP, CPM, CPSM, Lean & Six Sigma are advantageous.
- Minimum 8-10 years of experience in direct materials procurement within the automotive industry.
- Proven track record in strategic sourcing, supplier development, and cost optimization.
- Experience managing global or regional commodity portfolios and cross-functional teams.
- Previous exposure to global procurement operations and multi-location sourcing, and to supplier innovation and sustainability initiatives are preferred.
LI-PR1
About Clarios:
Clarios is the global leader in advanced, low-voltage battery technologies for mobility. Our batteries and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle and are found in 1 of 3 cars on the road today. With around 18,000 employees in over 100 countries, we bring deep expertise to our Aftermarket and OEM partners, and reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We answer to the planet with a rigorous sustainability focus - advancing best-in-class sustainability practices and advocating for them across our industry. We work to ensure 100% of our products sold are recyclable, and we recycle 8,000 batteries an hour in our network. You can find more information
here
(PDF).

📌 Direct Materias Procurement Manager (San Pedro Garza García)
🏢 Clarios
📍 San Pedro Garza García