Manager, Supply Base Development and North America Market Intelligence

Tasks

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. is hiring a Manager, Supply Base Development and North America Market Intelligence to drive the development of a competitive, resilient, and localized supply base within the USMCA region.

The role leads upstream purchasing activities including market screening, supplier assessment, and the development of nomination-ready suppliers across all tiers. It builds market and technology expertise, supports sourcing decisions, and aligns regional execution with central Purchasing Germany requirements.

Key Objectives

• Build a qualified, nomination-ready USMCA-compliant supplier base and close Tier-N gaps.
• Deliver market intelligence, technology insights, and competitive benchmarks.
• Ensure cost transparency and competitiveness through should-cost analysis and benchmarks.
• Enable sourcing decisions through pre-RFQ strategies, supplier shortlists, and readiness.
• Drive localization and resilience strategies within commodity and MSK frameworks.
• Interface with central Purchasing Germany to ensure alignment and governance.

Essential Functions

• Supplier Base Development & Localization (30%): Build and develop a qualified supplier pool, close Tier-N supply gaps, and drive supplier capability assessments and readiness.
• Market Intelligence & Supplier Screening (25%): Conduct market screening, identify suppliers, develop technology and supplier landscape transparency, and provide market intelligence and benchmarking reports.
• Sourcing Preparation & Strategy Enablement (20%): Define pre-RFQ supplier shortlists and sourcing strategies, ensure supplier readiness, and contribute to commodity strategies and MSK frameworks.
• Cost Analysis & Competitiveness (15%): Develop cost breakdowns and benchmarks, identify cost optimization opportunities, and support fact-based sourcing and negotiations.
• Localization & Resilience Strategy Integration (10%): Implement localization concepts, integrate resilience and risk mitigation measures, and ensure alignment with central Purchasing Germany and global governance.

Number of direct reports: 6.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain/Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related area is required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in procurement, supplier quality, supplier management, or related functions is required.

• Strong knowledge of procurement, sourcing governance, and supplier management.
• Understanding of end-to-end sourcing and nomination processes.
• Experience with MB project frameworks and automotive standards.
• Ability to analyze complex issues, derive solutions, and conduct root cause analysis.
• Experience with supplier improvement actions and data-driven decision support.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and drive cross-functional alignment.
• Strong influencing, negotiation, communication, and intercultural skills.
• Fluency in English required; German and/or Spanish language skills preferred.

Benefits

• Health benefits
• Company retirement plan
• Annual profit share
• Possible mobility offers
• Coaching
• Flextime
• Events and employee discounts
• Possible mobile phone
• Possible parking
• Canteen and café
• Near-site childcare