Senior Director, Purchasing

at  Cespira

Cespira is a joint venture between Volvo Group and Westport Fuel Systems Inc. A clean technology company, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, driving innovation in clean fuel systems and components for long-haul and off-road applications. Our products and technologies deliver performance, fuel efficiency and environmental benefits to address the challenges of global climate change and urban air quality.
Position Overview
The Senior Director, Purchasing, will strategically lead and direct all facets of the global purchasing function including the procurement and supplier relationship management for the HPDI supply base. This role is pivotal in managing supplier partnerships, ensuring compliance with procurement processes, and driving strategic supply chain initiatives aligned with the company’s evolving needs. You will oversee the management of the supply base, ensuring best-in-class supplier performance, competitive cost, along with identification of alternate supply sources for business continuity. Responsibilities also include developing and implementing a robust procurement strategy to ensure the timely and effective acquisition of goods and services, contributing directly to the success and growth of our organization.
The candidate must be a strong leader that would elevate our strategic sourcing and purchasing capabilities and drive operational excellence by influencing, guiding, and engaging a variety of stakeholders towards an improved future state. This role offers the opportunity to make significant contributions to our company’s strategic initiatives and operational excellence. If you are a dynamic and proactive leader with a strategic mindset looking for an exciting new challenge to contribute toward streamlining and improving our operations, we encourage you to apply.

Position Responsibilities

• Plan, lead and direct all aspects and functions of the global purchasing team located in Italy and Canada
• Strategic sourcing: strategically lead, plan, and manage the purchasing team’s operations to ensure efficiency and effectiveness, optimizing for cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Supplier management: identify and cultivate global supplier relationships with suppliers located across North America, China and Europe
• Cost management: develop cost reduction strategies and initiatives to improve the overall cost efficiency of the supply chain.
• Risk management: identify and mitigate risks within the supply chain; develop contingency plans for critical components and suppliers
• Monitor market trends and conduct material cost analysis to inform purchasing decisions.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and audits to ensure supplier performance and meets compliance and contractual obligations
• Lead complex negotiations with suppliers to secure favorable terms and conditions, ensuring contracts meet legal and regulatory requirements
• Proactively implement corrective actions, manage re-negotiations and amendments as required
• Support the Director of Quality in developing and implementing supplier quality improvement plans.
• Collaborate with production to manage inventory levels and optimize inventory strategies
• Manage all aspects of procurement activities, and ensure adherence to processes and protocols.
• Design and implement innovative supply chain models to meet changing organizational demands.
• Develop and present detailed monthly reports on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), forecasting and addressing key variances as necessary.
• Manage and optimize the JD Edwards ERP system related to purchasing functions, enhancing processes and tools as necessary.
• Cultivate and strengthen key strategic supplier relationships, negotiate critical agreements, and streamline the supplier base to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Contribute purchasing expertise to both internal and external development projects, coordinate with global teams to ensure alignment of purchasing strategies and practices
• Work closely with engineering, quality, and production teams to ensure supplier capabilities align with project requirements and identify, assess, and secure suppliers that align with the company’s strategic goals.
• Lead and mentor the global purchasing team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering Supply Chain Management, or similar
• Minimum of 10-15 years of experience in strategic sourcing and procurement management within the automotive or technology industry, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role
• Proven experience working with suppliers located in North America, Europe and China is an asset
• Proven experience in strategic sourcing and procurement management within the automotive or tech industry
• A track record of achieving cost savings.
• In-depth knowledge of supply chain management, contract law, and industry regulations.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and advanced proficiency in data analytics tools.

Key competencies

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to manage and develop a team
• Strategic Thinking: Develop and implement long-term sourcing strategies.
• Negotiation Skills: Negotiate favorable terms with suppliers
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities to leverage data to drive decisions

• Plan, lead and direct all aspects and functions of the global purchasing team located in Italy and Canada
• Strategic sourcing: strategically lead, plan, and manage the purchasing team’s operations to ensure efficiency and effectiveness, optimizing for cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Supplier management: identify and cultivate global supplier relationships with suppliers located across North America, China and Europe
• Cost management: develop cost reduction strategies and initiatives to improve the overall cost efficiency of the supply chain.
• Risk management: identify and mitigate risks within the supply chain; develop contingency plans for critical components and suppliers
• Monitor market trends and conduct material cost analysis to inform purchasing decisions.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and audits to ensure supplier performance and meets compliance and contractual obligations
• Lead complex negotiations with suppliers to secure favorable terms and conditions, ensuring contracts meet legal and regulatory requirements
• Proactively implement corrective actions, manage re-negotiations and amendments as required
• Support the Director of Quality in developing and implementing supplier quality improvement plans.
• Collaborate with production to manage inventory levels and optimize inventory strategies
• Manage all aspects of procurement activities, and ensure adherence to processes and protocols.
• Design and implement innovative supply chain models to meet changing organizational demands.
• Develop and present detailed monthly reports on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), forecasting and addressing key variances as necessary.
• Manage and optimize the JD Edwards ERP system related to purchasing functions, enhancing processes and tools as necessary.
• Cultivate and strengthen key strategic supplier relationships, negotiate critical agreements, and streamline the supplier base to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Contribute purchasing expertise to both internal and external development projects, coordinate with global teams to ensure alignment of purchasing strategies and practices
• Work closely with engineering, quality, and production teams to ensure supplier capabilities align with project requirements and identify, assess, and secure suppliers that align with the company’s strategic goals.
• Lead and mentor the global purchasing team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growt