VP Purchasing & Supply Chain

Description

Role: VP Purchasing & Supply Chain

Reports To: EVP of Operations

Location: Wixom, MI

Build What's Next at Workhorse

Workhorse Group Inc. (Nasdaq: WKHS) is an American industrial technology company headquartered in the Detroit, Michigan area that designs, engineers, and produces the intelligent industrial machines that are the lifeblood of modern economies. Our products include battery-electric commercial vehicles, and we're expanding into modular data centers that support rapidly deployable AI infrastructure.

From our manufacturing facility in Union City, Indiana, we bring together expertise in electrification, high-voltage systems integration, and advanced manufacturing to build reliable products for demanding real-world applications. 

Backed by experienced leadership, established customer relationships, and domestic manufacturing capabilities, we're building on what we know while developing what's next.

About the Role

The Vice President of Purchasing & Supply Chain is a key member of the Operations Leadership Team responsible for developing and executing the company's global sourcing, procurement, supplier quality, materials management, and supply chain strategy. This leader will establish the long-term vision and operating model for supply chain excellence, ensuring scalability, resiliency, cost competitiveness, quality performance, and supplier innovation across the enterprise.

The VP will partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, Program Management, and Executive Leadership to drive strategic business objectives, support product launches, mitigate risk, and optimize total cost of ownership throughout the supply chain ecosystem.

This role requires an accomplished executive with deep experience building and scaling high-performance organizations, leading enterprise transformation, and managing complex global supply chains across innovative manufacturing sectors, including electric commercial vehicles, modular infrastructure systems, advanced energy systems, aerospace, and other technology-driven manufacturing environments.

What You Will Do

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the enterprise-wide Purchasing & Supply Chain strategy aligned with corporate growth, operational, financial, and product development objectives.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership regarding supply chain market conditions, supplier capacity, cost structures, risk management, and long-term sourcing strategies.
• Build and lead a high-performing organization encompassing Purchasing, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, Materials Planning, and Supply Chain Operations.
• Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence throughout the organization.
• Establish organizational goals, KPIs, succession plans, and talent development strategies to build future leadership capability.

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

• Lead development of category and commodity strategies that optimize cost, quality, technology, delivery performance, and supplier innovation.
• Lead indirect procurement and logistics strategy to drive cost savings, supplier performance, and best practices. 
• Negotiate and execute complex commercial agreements while ensuring favorable pricing, contractual protections, and long-term supply continuity.
• Establish disciplined sourcing governance processes supporting new product introductions, production scaling, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Drive annual productivity, cost reduction, value engineering, and supplier rationalization initiatives to achieve financial targets.
• Ensure procurement decisions align with enterprise risk management objectives and long-term business strategy.

Advanced Supplier Quality & Supplier Development

• Establish and maintain world-class supplier quality systems utilizing APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Lead supplier qualification, development, performance monitoring, and corrective action processes to ensure robust quality performance.
• Develop strategic supplier partnerships that improve quality, innovation, responsiveness, and operational efficiency.
• Drive supplier performance improvement initiatives through disciplined root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement programs.

Supply Chain & Operational Excellence

• Develop resilient supply chain strategies that mitigate disruptions, improve continuity, and support rapid business growth.
• Oversee inventory optimization, material availability, logistics collaboration, supplier capacity planning, and risk management initiatives.
• Implement advanced supply chain analytics and performance reporting tools to improve decision-making and operational visibility.
• Lead efforts to improve forecast accuracy, supplier responsiveness, production readiness, and inventory efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, customer, quality, and operational requirements across the supply base.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Engineering to influence product designs that support manufacturability, supply chain efficiency, and cost optimization.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing and Program Management to ensure successful product launches and production readiness.
• Work closely with Finance to develop budgets, forecasts, savings targets, and strategic investment initiatives.
• Provide regular executive-level reporting regarding supplier performance, supply risks, cost trends, mitigation plans, and operational priorities.
• Represent Workhorse with key suppliers, customers, industry organizations, and strategic partners.

Requirements

Required Qualifications & Skill

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in Purchasing, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain, Procurement, or Supplier Quality.
• 10+ years leading managers and multi-functional supply chain organizations.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing enterprise-level supply chain strategies.
• Experience leading supply chain operations within automotive electric commercial vehicles, modular infrastructure systems, advanced energy systems, aerospace, and other technology-driven manufacturing environments
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, cost reduction programs, and supply chain performance metrics.
• Proven success negotiating high-value commercial agreements and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Deep understanding of APQP, PPAP, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Supplier Quality Systems, and Operational Excellence methodologies.
• Exceptional executive communication, influence, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading organizational transformation and large-scale change initiatives. 
• Strong background in global sourcing and supplier relations. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Electric Vehicle, advanced energy systems or complex technology industry experience.
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPIM, CSCP, CQE, or Six Sigma certification.
• Experience supporting rapid growth, product launches, and manufacturing scale-up environments.

Why Workhorse

Engineering and Manufacturing for the Work Ahead

At Workhorse, ideas become physical products. Our teams design, engineer, test, validate, and manufacture solutions for demanding real-world applications. You'll contribute to work that matters, backed by experienced leadership, established customer relationships, and a strong manufacturing foundation.

See Your Work Take Shape

There's something rewarding about seeing your work move from an idea to a finished product. At Workhorse, engineering, operations, and manufacturing work closely together, giving employees the opportunity to see the results of their contributions.

Experience Behind Us. Opportunity Ahead.

Workhorse combines experienced leadership, established commercial vehicle customers and partners, and an existing manufacturing operation with opportunities in new markets. We're strengthening our commercial vehicle business while developing Modular AI Infrastructure—creating opportunities to help shape what comes next.

Work Together. Take Ownership.

We believe good work comes from talented people working together. Our teams value open communication, practical problem-solving, accountability, and respect. Employees are encouraged to contribute ideas, take initiative, and make a meaningful impact.

A Workplace with Personality

We take pride in our work, but we also believe in enjoying the people we work with. You'll find opportunities for connection, collaboration, and camaraderie. At select locations, that includes a dog-friendly workplace in accordance with site guidelines.

You Can Always Count on a Workhorse
Workhorse ValuesIntegrity | Transparency, Accountability & Results | Pride in Excellence Intentional Innovation | Extraordinary Talent and Teamwork

Workhorse Group Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.