Advance Procurement Engineer

The Advance Procurement Engineer is responsible for proactively identifying future supply chain, technology, and supplier capability requirements by deeply understanding the organization's 5-year product roadmap. This role partners closely with R&D, Engineering, Product Management, and Supply Chain leadership to translate future product needs into supplier strategies, technology scouting activities, and innovation partnerships. The position serves as the company's primary interface to the global supply base for emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and supplier-led innovation. 

CORE FUNCTIONS

Strategic Roadmap Alignment

• Analyze 3- to 5-year product and technology roadmaps to identify future component, material, manufacturing, and capability requirements.
• Challenge assumptions and uncover unmet needs, technology gaps, risks, and supply constraints before development programs begin.
• Facilitate alignment between R&D, Engineering, Product Management, and Procurement regarding future technology direction.

Technology & Supplier Scouting

• Conduct global market intelligence and technology scouting activities.
• Identify emerging suppliers, technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes that support future product requirements.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of innovative suppliers capable of supporting next-generation products.
• Monitor technology trends, patents, startup ecosystems, industry conferences, and competitive developments.

Supplier Innovation Management

• Establish strategic relationships with key suppliers to drive co-development opportunities.
• Create supplier innovation workshops and technology reviews.
• Introduce external innovations into product development programs.
• Evaluate supplier technology roadmaps for alignment with business objectives.

New Product Development Support

• Support concept, feasibility, and development phases of new products.
• Influence design decisions based on supplier capabilities, cost drivers, manufacturability, and technology readiness.
• Lead early supplier involvement initiatives.
• Assess sourcing risks for future technologies and develop mitigation plans.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the primary procurement representative within advanced engineering and R&D teams.
• Present findings and recommendations to engineering, industrial design, product management leadership and executive management.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

·       Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline.

·       5-7 years spanning Engineering, Product Development, Supplier Development, Advanced Sourcing, Procurement, or Technology Commercialization.

·       Demonstrated success introducing new technologies or strategic suppliers into product programs.

·       MBA preferred.

Travel

·       Occasional travel may be required (10-15%).

COMPETENCIES

·       – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing priorities and demands; Changes approach, processes, or methods to best fit any situation; Ability to manage change effectively and positively; Ability to course correct if experiencing delays, or unexpected events.

·       – Collects and reviews warranty data; Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and research data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.

·       – Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measure and opportunities; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.

·       – Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and substantiates reasoning or cause for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

·       – Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals. Inspires team to achieve success for individual growth and to achieve company objectives.

·       – Speaks clearly and effectively in both positive or negative situations; Listens thoughtfully and seeks to understand; Responds well to questions, or suggestions; Possess and demonstrates effective group presentation skills; Participates in meetings with both product support team and cross functional team to include leadership.

·       – Follows policies and procedures; Completes objectives, and tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization’s goals and values; Supports affirmative actions, team inclusivity and respects diversity.

·       – Seeks opportunities to improve quality of product support processes, and procedures; Communicates product issue trends for root cause and corrective action with quality team; Strives to demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness and thoughtfulness through all areas of quality.

·       – Identifies, tracks, and attempts to resolves product issues or team processes or policies in a timely manner; Collects and analyzes information skillfully; Develops and communicates alternative solutions; Works well in individual and group problem solving settings and situations; Uses practicality and proper reasoning when dealing with emotional or adverse topics.

·       – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

·       – Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

·       – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

·       –Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

·       This position is an Individual Contributor: working team member with no oversight of others and no management responsibilities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

·       This position is subject to sedentary work: exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involved sitting most of the time. Walking and standing are required only occasionally.

Physical Activities

·       This position is subject to the following physical activities: the use of fingers to pick or type, walking, talking, and hearing.

Visual Acuity

·       The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly of fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

Working Conditions

·       This position operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.

Perks That Go the Extra Mile :
At RealTruck, we take care of our people—because they drive our success. Enjoy great benefits like medical, dental, and vision coverage, company-paid life insurance and disability, and a 401(k) with company match (eligible the first of the month after you start). Need balance? We’ve got wellbeing days and parental leave. Want to grow? Take advantage of educational reimbursement. Plus, earn referral bonuses and score exclusive employee discounts on RealTruck products. Great benefits. Great people. Even better careers.

RealTruck is the premier manufacturer and digital destination of accessories for truck, Jeep®, Bronco® and off-road enthusiasts around the world. Globally headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, RealTruck’s 6,000+ associates operate from 35+ facilities across four continents. RealTruck’s industry leading product portfolio, which includes the Husky Liners total vehicle protection brand, boasts over 1,000 patents and pending applications. The company’s omni-channel retail approach delivers a seamless consumer experience online at RealTruck.com, as well as through its 12,000+ dealer network and automotive (OEM) partnerships.

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