Vice President of Purchasing Greater Chicago, IL Area

Vice President of Purchasing — DRiV

DRiV, Tenneco’s Aftermarket business group, is a global leader with top-three market share positions across most of our product categories.

As a premier “House of Brands,” DRiV represents more than 30 of the world’s most trusted aftermarket names, including Monroe®, MOOG®, Wagner®, Walker®, Fel-Pro®, Champion®, Ferodo®, Payen®, and others, many with more than 100 years of heritage.

Our scaled and differentiated capabilities allow regional business lines to serve customers with precision while leveraging global manufacturing, engineering, and distribution strength. Approximately 75% of our revenue is positioned as a #1 brand within its product category.

Across shocks & struts, steering & suspension, braking, sealing, engine, emissions, and ignition systems, DRiV delivers quality, performance, and value that customers rely on worldwide.

At DRiV, we win through execution, innovation, and the power of our brands.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Purchasing will lead DRiV’s global purchasing organization and establish sourcing and supplier management as strategic drivers of growth, margin expansion, cash flow, innovation, and supply continuity. This executive will develop and execute purchasing strategies across direct materials, components, sourced finished goods, and tooling while building a high-performing global team and resilient supply base.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a multi-year global purchasing strategy aligned with DRiV’s business, product, operational, and financial priorities.
• Own material cost savings, sourcing productivity, payment-term improvement, working-capital performance, and other purchasing commitments.
• Lead global category and supplier strategies that optimize total cost, quality, delivery, capacity, innovation, and risk.
• Build and manage a competitive, resilient supply base; establish supplier segmentation, executive business reviews, performance scorecards, and corrective-action processes.
• Lead strategic negotiations and major commercial agreements, ensuring strong contract governance and sustainable supplier relationships.
• Partner with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance to deliver new product introductions, value engineering, make-versus-buy decisions, and product cost targets.
• Strengthen supplier risk management, including continuity planning, alternate sourcing, capacity assurance, financial health, geopolitical exposure, and quality risk.
• Establish global purchasing governance, standardized processes, data analytics, and executive reporting to improve visibility, speed, accountability, and compliance.
• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing global purchasing team with clear roles, performance expectations, and succession plans.
• Represent Purchasing in executive operating reviews, strategic planning, budgeting, and major business and investment decisions.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 15 or more years of progressive purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain experience, including substantial senior leadership responsibility in a global manufacturing organization.
• Automotive original equipment, automotive aftermarket, or comparable complex manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success delivering significant cost, cash, supplier performance, and supply-risk improvements across a large global spend portfolio.
• Deep expertise in category management, cost modeling, total cost of ownership, contract negotiation, supplier development, new product introduction, and quality disciplines including APQP and PPAP.
• Proven ability to lead transformation, influence executive stakeholders, and develop strong global teams in a matrixed environment.
• Willingness to travel globally based on business needs.