Job Description

At Kia, we’re creating award-winning products and redefining what value means in the automotive industry. It takes a special group of individuals to do what we do, and we do it together. Our culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative. Our people thrive on thinking differently and challenging the status quo. We are creating something special here, a culture of learning and opportunity, where you can help Kia achieve big things and most importantly, feel passionate and connected to your work every day.

Kia provides team members with competitive benefits including premium paid medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) plan matching of 100% up to 6% of the salary deferral, and paid time off. Kia also offers company lease and purchase programs, company-wide holiday shutdown, paid volunteer hours, and premium lifestyle amenities at our corporate campus in Irvine, California.

Status

Exempt

General Summary

This position is responsible for leading and administering the procurement of goods and services for Kia America, including high‑complexity strategic sourcing initiatives and enterprise‑wide procurement programs. The role manages end‑to‑end procurement activities such as supplier sourcing and selection, RFI/RFP development, cost and price analysis, contract negotiation, and vendor performance management.

This position serves as a subject matter expert in enforcing Purchasing Policy, ensuring compliance, mitigating risk, and supporting continuous improvement through monitoring, reporting, and training. The role partners closely with internal stakeholders which includes Legal, Finance, and operational business units, to align procurement activities with business objectives while delivering optimal value. Additionally, this position oversees vendor management initiatives, including diversity and inclusion efforts, PR/PO lifecycle management, and supports leadership functions through mentorship, process oversight, and special project execution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1st Priority - 40%

Manage highest priority / highest complexity procurement projects. Lead and facilitate supplier selection, cost/price analysis of supplier responses and quotes, and contract negotiations.

• Creation and administration of Request for Information (RFI), and Request for Proposal (RFP), assist operational department to development of statements of work, service agreements, with minimal direction.
• Manage cross-departmental projects and are responsible for communication and reporting for large projects affecting multiple business units.
• Complete reconciliations and KPIs upon program completion.
  

2nd Priority - 25%

Lead and oversee the Purchasing Policy Monitor and Enforcement Process including risk mitigation.

• Proactively monitor for policy compliance and continued communication and training of Purchasing Policy with Business Units Leadership.
• Create, establish and enforce process to document and report non-compliance matters to appropriate departments.
• Ensure the Policy is up to date and reflects the latest approved business practices.

3rd Priority - 25%

Lead Procurement Vendor Management, including Diversity and Inclusion efforts.

• Establish additional vendor information tracking capabilities.
• Develop internal spend baseline for various vendor groups.
• Monitor and track vendor usage and deactivate when necessary.

4th Priority - 10%

Manage the PR/PO closure process.

• Identify PRs/POs that can be closed based on program completion or policy requirements.

Personally Performed Duties

• Act as procurement subject matter expert, ensuring consistent enforcement and integrity of KUS Purchasing Policy and Procedures.
• Partner with internal stakeholders (Operations, Legal, Finance) to provide procurement guidance outside of formal project leadership, as needed.
• Track and report project schedule and cost performance beyond required KPI closeouts.
• Serve as backup for Procurement Head, including assigning PRs, releasing POs, and approving LDARs.
• Train and onboard new procurement employees on procurement-related processes and systems.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and ad-hoc support to procurement peers.
• Perform special projects and ad-hoc assignments as required.
• Domestic travel as required.

Qualifications/Education

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related discipline or equivalent work experience required
• MBA a plus

Job Requirement

• Seven to ten years of experience in purchasing goods and/or services or related experience.
• Complete understanding and experience with analysis and negotiation of various contract types (i.e., firm-fixed, cost-plus, time & material etc.)
• Experience with integrated purchasing/accounting/financial systems
• Experience with purchasing corporate indirect services is a plus
• Basic knowledge of general accounting practices and principles

Specialized Skills and Knowledge Required

• Demonstrated leadership, analytical, and negotiation skills required.

Competencies

• Care for People
• Chase Excellence Every Day
• Dare to Push Boundaries
• Empower People to Act
• Move Further Together

Pay Range

$98,895.32 - $133,393

Pay will be based on several variables that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, etc.

Equal Employment Opportunities

KUS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth and related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, legally protected physical disability or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. KUS complies with applicable law governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which KUS has offices. The KUS EEO policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

Disclaimer The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and for this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.