Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Automotive
We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Automotive, we give you the keys to fast-track your career.
- Engineer audio systems and integrated technology platforms that augment the driving experience
- Combine ingenuity, in-depth research, and a spirit of collaboration with design and engineering excellence
- Advance in-vehicle infotainment, safety, efficiency, and enjoyment
About The Role
This individual contributor role sits within the Global Procurement & BCA organization, with a dedicated focus on Automotive Sourcing SBU Intelligent Cockpit Early Engagement and WIN. It serves as the primary interface between Procurement & BCA and Harman Automotive’s Strategic Business Units (SBUs) and Customer Groups (CGs) during design- and RFQ phases, while also supporting flawless execution from Business Award through End-of-Life as needed.The position is accountable for managing Bill of Materials (BoM) cost performance across the entire RFQ process, starting at the design phase until final business award, ensuring sustained cost competitiveness and profitability.While not the primary owner of supplier negotiations, this role requires strong cross-functional leadership and influence to drive outcomes in close collaboration with Engineering, Program Management, Sales, Manufacturing, Finance, Category Management, BCA, and Value Management.The successful candidate will act as a central advocate for Procurement & BCA, ensuring sourcing strategies are effectively executed and program goals are achieved across all phases of the RFQ process.
What You Will Do
WIN – Enable Pursuit Success with Competitive Costing (Primary Responsibility)
- Own Total Landed BoM Cost inputs for customer business cases during the pursuit phase, ensuring competitiveness and alignment with internal financial targets.
- Engage early in design reviews to influence cost-optimized concepts, mitigate supply chain risks, and guide Engineering toward best-cost solutions.
- Define and drive alignment on cost targets across Direct Materials, Logistics, and Outsourcing teams to ensure pursuit proposals are executable and financially sound.
- Act as the Procurement & BCA lead during RFx processes, representing sourcing strategy within the pursuit team and ensuring seamless handover to Program Management upon award.
- Contribute to win strategies by balancing customer expectations, cost competitiveness, and long-term sourcing feasibility.
EXECUTE – Drive Strategic Sourcing and Program Delivery (Secondary Responsibility)
- Lead sourcing execution for awarded components across all Harman Automotive SBUs, ensuring alignment with business case BoM targets and a plan-for-every-part across all program milestones, from design through SOP to end-of-life.
- Own Procurement and Supply Chain readiness across the full program lifecycle, including pre-SOP phases, ensuring timely, cost-effective execution at each critical milestone.
- Implement and manage dual sourcing and design-to-cost strategies during development, securing long-term competitiveness and supply continuity.
- Lead Make vs. Buy decisions, balancing target cost structures, manufacturing flexibility, and customer expectations.
- Continuously optimize BoM cost throughout the product lifecycle - from award through launch, production, and ramp-down - ensuring sustained profitability and cost competitiveness.
COLLABORATE – Lead Cross-Functional Alignment and Execution
- Partner closely with Engineering, Program Management, Sales, Manufacturing, Finance, Category Management, BCA, and Value Management to ensure business case targets are met and program deliverables are achieved across all phases, from pursuit to end-of-life.
- Facilitate cross-functional decision-making, ensuring alignment on sourcing strategies, cost targets, and execution plans.
- Champion transparency and accountability, driving stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement across sourcing and program execution.
What You Need To Be Successful
- A Bachelor’s or higher degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Economics, or a related field.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in procurement, engineering, program management, quality, or product development, demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility and leadership.
- Advanced analytical skills paired with strong financial acumen and business insight, enabling data-driven decision-making and strategic planning.
- Deep expertise in BoM cost optimization, including tools, processes, and lifecycle management, with a proven track record of delivering cost efficiencies across complex product portfolios.
- A comprehensive understanding of cross-functional dynamics, with the ability to align and mobilize stakeholders across Engineering, Program Management, Sales, Manufacturing, Finance, and Procurement to achieve program goals.
- Ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable plans, setting clear priorities and driving execution across diverse teams.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects with moderate resource requirements and risk, including accountability for external vendor performance and delivery.
- Proven capability to work independently, navigating ambiguity and competing priorities while making sound decisions in fast-paced environments.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, and to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong facilitation and negotiation skills, enabling effective collaboration and consensus-building across global and cross-functional teams.
- Experience in interpreting internal and external business challenges, recommending best practices to improve products, processes, or services.
Bonus Points if You Have
- Prior experience in the automotive industry, particularly in sourcing, program execution, or product development.
- A strong technical foundation, with the ability to understand, challenge, and influence engineering decisions and cost drivers.
- Hands-on experience with electronic and mechanical components, ideally within complex, cross-functional environments.
What Makes You Eligible
- Fluency in spoken and written English, enabling effective communication across global teams and stakeholders.
- Legal authorization to work in the country of employment, with the ability to meet all compliance requirements.
- Willingness to work in a hybrid office environment, balancing in-person collaboration with remote flexibility.
- Availability for occasional business travel (up to 10%), supporting global program execution and supplier engagement.
- Flexibility to collaborate across international time zones, including teams based in China, India, Hungary, Germany, and the United States.
- Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening, including background checks and drug testing, in accordance with company policy.
What We Offer
- Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location
- Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)
- Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
- Competitive wellness benefits
- Tuition reimbursement
- “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program
- An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.
