Brian Whitehead Email & Phone Number

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Lead a team of three managers and 15 buyers in sourcing Interior Cockpit commodities (Consoles, Instrument Panels, Door Trim Panels and Interior Electronics) valued at approximately $3B in annual spend. Coached the team through difficult inflationary claim negotiations reducing total claims from $151M to $69M. Despite the difficult inflationary climate, delivered $75M in cost reductions to offset claim impacts. Leading the team in redeveloping strategies for all commodities, with a focus on new entrants to address risk mitigation (single source, financial distress, etc.), diversification of supply base, etc. Leveraged internal and external relationships to mitigate production impacts due to a distressed T1 supplier. This required collaborating with Ford facilities to manage production schedules based on material availability, negotiating with T2+ suppliers directly, leveraged Ford financial tools (payment pull ahead, pay terms deviations), etc. Expanded recruiting role by taking on responsibilities for all Supply Chain/Purchasing recruiting activities as well as serve as Cross-functional Supply Chain representative on Corporate University Relations Council.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Led a team of six Program Analysts based in the US and Mexico in executing deliverables to support program milestones resulting in on time sourcing of all Interior commodities. This included leading pre-program commodity planning, developing appropriate program targets, on time sourcing to achieve program approval, etc. ensuring all required purchasing commitments were achieved to deliver vehicle launch. Represented Purchasing on a team, working with Deloitte, to streamline and consolidate the Ford sourcing process defining ways to reduce the number of quote iterations, adjusting process timing to allow sourcing to be completed later in the development process, etc. As the chip crisis was evolving, volunteered to take on additional responsibility to lead managing chip constraints for all Interior Electronics commodities, including displays, clusters, switches, etc. Led the team in establishing a database of chips utilized in all commodities, defining alternate chips where possible, engaging with the T1 and the chip broker market directly. Leveraged internal and external relationships to ensure no production impacts occurred due to Interior Electronics commodity shortages. Continued to lead intern and Ford College Graduate recruiting activities for five professional organizations, online applicants and executive referrals.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Led the Purchasing Program team responsible for the next generation of Ford and Lincoln CUV/SUV battery electric vehicles. Effectively engaged with Vehicle Planning, Program Management and Program Finance as the voice of Purchasing to deliver program milestones. This required leading in the target setting process, leading report outs to Purchasing and Program leadership and clearly communicating with the Purchasing Material Cost team to ensure all necessary information is cascaded to the buying team. Continued to lead intern and Ford College Graduate recruiting activities for five professional organizations, online applicants and executive referrals.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Led a team of seven buyers managing a spend of over $550M including commodities such as headliners, overhead consoles and interior lighting. Delivered cost reductions and avoidance of over $15M through coaching and mentoring the team in effective negotiating skills and, when required, engaging suppliers directly to deliver results. Identified an ongoing problem of poor supplier relationships. Built trust by leveraging open and transparent communication, addressing aged open issues, establishing clear performance expectations, etc. to delivery improved relationships and supply base performance. While living in Mexico, continued to lead US based intern and Ford College Graduate recruiting activities for four professional organizations, online applicants, and executive referrals.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Led a team of five Program Buyers in delivering timely sourcing of Interior components on all Ford truck programs, F-150, Super Duty, Ranger, Bronco, etc. This included guiding the team in delivering pre-program commodity planning, effectively managed establishing program targets, delivering on time sourcing to achieve program approval while ensuring all required purchasing commitments were achieved to deliver a successful vehicle launch. Managed the effective communication of program status by leading weekly executive program reviews with Global Purchasing Director and the corresponding leadership team. Continued to lead intern and Ford College Graduate recruiting activities for five professional organizations, online applicants and executive referrals.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Supervised a team of two Program Supervisors and ten Program Buyers and Capacity Analysts that managed the sourcing process and successful launch of all F-150, Ranger and Ranger vehicle programs. Delivered average of 97% sourcing on time across six vehicle programs. Managed supplier capacity requests to support changes in consumer demand across the platform. Developed and implemented an improved cost target setting process in support of sourcing the Ford Ranger and Bronco programs, receiving several accolades from the executive leadership team. This activity resulted in the Ranger program being sourced 3% below target, significantly improving the overall financial position of the program. Led similar activities in the early stages of the Bronco program. Additional responsibilities included leading a team of three recruiters in managing direct hiring for US based purchasing operations. Also led intern and Ford College Graduate recruiting activities for five professional organizations, online applicants and all executive referrals.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Supervised a team of six buyers responsible for over $250 million in annual spend. Served as global lead for two commodities including responsibility for leading the development of global commodity strategies, ensuring sourcing for regional and global programs are aligned with the business requirements of the enterprise, annual global cost reduction negotiations, supplier dispute resolution, etc. Developed and managed relationships with global suppliers in line with Ford’s Aligned Business Framework. Successfully negotiated over $15 million in cost reductions. Led the team in obtaining approval for an agreed cost model, the first such approval in over ten years. By engaging cross functionally with Production Development, Supplier Technical Assistance and with a key supplier, was able to gain approval from executive leadership to recognize that supplier with a Ford Top Supplier Award.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Negotiated the future model global sourcing of over $2.9 billion in gasoline and diesel engine components including turbocharger, throttle body, oil cooler, and fuel system commodities. Led the development of the global turbocharger and throttle body sourcing strategies with team members across the global enterprise. Implemented more than $28 million in cost reductions/avoidances through commercial negotiations or sourcing actions. Managed supplier shortages in conjunction with corporate and assembly plant logistics functions. Served as lead purchasing representative in negotiating the divestiture of a Ford owned production facility to a Tier 1 supplier.

Us

Us

New Boston, Michigan, Us

Mba, Labor Relations

Bba, Management