The Stamping Strategist is responsible for leading the global sourcing and category management strategy for stamped components. This role is pivotal in managing supplier relationships, driving cost optimization, and ensuring quality and continuity of supply across a global footprint. Roles and responsibilities include long-term planning, strategy development, leading the strategic sourcing process, leading continuous improvement initiatives and supporting Dauch’s Global manufacturing facilities. This includes request for quotation, evaluation of bids, cost breakdown analysis, negotiation, supplier evaluation, and sourcing recommendation. This role ensures cost-effective sourcing while maintaining quality and delivery standards in line with Tier 1 automotive supplier requirements. The Stamping Strategist will work closely with Global engineering, manufacturing, sales, program management, finance, and suppliers to optimize the supply chain and support new product launches.
Job Description:
Global Category Strategy: Establish, Maintain, and Execute the Global Stamping Strategy with the approved supply base, consolidating strategic suppliers while reducing costs, and maintaining quality and performance standards. Perform industry and market analysis to identify risks, opportunities, and trends impacting the category.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Lead the Stamping matched set internal team (VA/VE, Component Engineering, Supplier Quality) to align procurement strategies with company objectives.
Cost Analysis: Analyze supplier cost structures and market trends to identify opportunities for cost reductions. Utilize cost models, historical cost breakdowns, and category knowledge to provide cost estimates for new components and / or design changes on new and existing programs.
Continuous Improvement / VAVE: Lead and implement process improvements / cost reduction and VAVE activities to improve competitiveness of category spend to meet or exceed budget and business plan targets.
Sourcing & Procurement: Lead the strategic sourcing process for Stampings including request for quotation, evaluation of bids, cost breakdown analysis, negotiation, supplier evaluation, sourcing recommendation, and contracting.
New Product Development Support: Collaborate on sourcing strategies for new business programs to ensure timely supplier sourcing and readiness.
Financial Budgeting & Forecasting: Contribute to annual procurement budget development process. Monitor and report out monthly on global category performance to budget.
Negotiation: Conduct cost and price negotiations and establish long-term agreements with suppliers to deliver the highest value materials that meet cost, quality, and delivery requirements and drive cost savings and supplier performance improvements
Supplier Management: Develop and manage relationships with stamping suppliers to ensure quality, cost competitiveness, and on-time delivery. Identify suppliers with new technologies, processes, and products to optimize and enhance Dauch's supply base.
Technical Support: Lead technical sourcing reviews with supply base, systems engineering, component engineering and supplier quality engineering contacts to close out all issues and ensure cross-functional support of sourcing recommendations.
Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks in the iron casting supply chain, including capacity, price fluctuations, and geopolitical factors.
Quality & Compliance: Work with Quality and Engineering teams to ensure supplier compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and other Dauch and industry standards.
Required Skills and Education
Qualifications & Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree required, preferred major in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or other related field
5+ years previous purchasing or related manufacturing experience
Thorough knowledge of industry purchasing policies, procedures, and commercial practices
Understanding of global sourcing, landed cost, and supply chain risk management
Strong negotiation skills with a history of cost savings and supplier performance improvement
Proficiency in ERP systems (Oracle / Plex Preferred) and data analytics tools
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and project management skills
High degree of planning and organization skills
Ability to travel as required for supplier visits and audits
Preferred Qualifications:
Master of Business Administration (MBA) or equivalent
Experience with Stampings in the automotive industry
Understanding of stamping process, flat rolled sheet steel, metal market, etc.
Familiarity with cost drivers, cost breakdown analysis, and cost models
Experience collaborating with international suppliers
Intermediate to Advanced level computer skills required including strong Excel skills (Pivot Tables, V-Lookups)
About Dauch:
Dauch Corporation is a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry with a powertrain-agnostic product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. The company is headquartered in Detroit, MI, with operations that span 24 countries and more than 175 locations. Formed through the acquisition of Dowlais Group plc and its subsidiaries - GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy, Dauch unites deep engineering roots with global manufacturing capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit to move mobility forward. Visit www.dauch.com to learn more.
Dauch will not discriminate against any Associate or applicant for employment because of age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. Dauch will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that Associates are treated equally during employment, without regard to their age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. For the Disabled Job Seeker: We offer reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled individuals who are applicants for employment. To request assistance or accommodations, please e-mail TalentAcquisition@aam.com. Dauch is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
