Acquisition Manager
Forvia · Auburn Hills
Forvia, a sustainable mobility technology leader
We pioneer technology for mobility experience that matter to people.
Your mission, roles and responsibilities
Acquisition Manager
Forvia, a sustainable mobility technology leader
At Forvia, we are shaping the future of mobility through innovation, technology, and collaboration. We are looking for an Acquisition Manager to lead the development of competitive business cases and customer proposals that drive profitable growth within our Seating business.
This role sits at the intersection of commercial strategy, finance, engineering, manufacturing, and customer engagement. You will lead cross-functional acquisition activities from RFQ receipt through final business plan approval, ensuring the organization delivers compelling, competitive, and financially sound customer quotations.
If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy influencing multiple stakeholders, and have a passion for turning complex opportunities into winning business, we'd like to hear from you.
Your Mission
As Acquisition Manager, you will lead the North American acquisition process for new business opportunities. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, challenge assumptions, evaluate risks, and develop robust commercial and financial proposals that support profitable growth.
Success in this role requires a strong blend of commercial acumen, financial analysis, program leadership, and manufacturing understanding.
Key Responsibilities
Acquisition Leadership
- Lead all acquisition activities from RFQ receipt through final business plan approval.
- Own acquisition timing plans and coordinate activities to meet customer quotation milestones.
- Prioritize opportunities and resources to ensure the most strategic pursuits receive appropriate support.
- Drive alignment across commercial, technical, operational, and financial stakeholders.
Business Planning & Financial Analysis
- Develop and validate acquisition business plans, pricing strategies, and profitability assumptions.
- Challenge commercial and operational assumptions to ensure robust and realistic business cases.
- Partner with Finance, Costing, Purchasing, and Operations to evaluate pricing scenarios and profitability impacts.
- Support pricing strategy development, negotiations, and customer proposal preparation.
- Develop frameworks and costing models that improve speed and consistency throughout the quotation process.
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Lead acquisition teams consisting of Sales, Finance, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Costing resources.
- Influence decisions and drive accountability without direct reporting authority.
- Ensure technical, commercial, operational, and financial risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated.
- Facilitate decision-making and alignment across multiple functions and leadership levels.
Customer & Market Strategy
- Develop a strong understanding of customer requirements, market trends, and competitive dynamics.
- Support customer-facing acquisition activities and commercial discussions.
- Identify product and manufacturing synergies across customers and programs.
- Maintain awareness of competitor activity, market share trends, and industry benchmarks.
- Partner with strategic planning and industrial teams to align acquisition strategy with manufacturing footprint decisions.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve acquisition, costing, quotation, and business planning processes.
- Leverage digital and AI-enabled tools where appropriate to improve efficiency and decision quality.
- Drive adoption of best practices across the acquisition organization.
Your profile and competencies to succeed
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in program management, commercial management, sales, business development, acquisition, or related automotive functions.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams in a complex manufacturing environment.
- Strong financial and business planning capabilities.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to influence and drive decisions across multiple functions and leadership levels.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree (MBA or related discipline).
- Experience within the automotive seating industry.
- Experience with complete seat assemblies, seat structures, or frame systems.
- Knowledge of automotive quoting, RFQ management, costing, and business planning processes.
- Experience supporting customer pursuits with major OEMs.
- Process improvement and continuous improvement experience.
- Familiarity with AI-enabled tools and technologies that support business planning, costing, or acquisition activities.
What we can do for you
- At Forvia, you will find an engaging and dynamic environment where you can contribute to the development of sustainable mobility leading technologies.
- We are the seventh-largest global automotive supplier, employing more than 157,000 people in more than 40 countries which makes a lot of opportunity for career development.
- We welcome energetic and agile people who can thrive in a fast-changing environment. People who share our strong values. Team players with a collaborative mindset and a passion to deliver high standards for our clients. Lifelong learners. High performers. Globally minded people who aspire to work in a transforming industry, where excellence, speed, and quality count.
- We cultivate a learning environment, dedicating tools and resources to ensure we remain at the forefront of mobility. Our people enjoy an average of more than 22 hours of online and in-person training within FORVIA University (five campuses around the world)
- We offer a multicultural environment that values diversity and international collaboration. We believe that diversity is a strength. To create an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity create real value for the company, we have adopted gender diversity targets and inclusion action plans.
- Achieving CO2 Net Zero as a pioneer of the automotive industry is a priority: In June 2022, Forvia became the first global automotive group to be certified with the new SBTI Net-Zero Standard (the most ambitious standard of SBTi), aligned with the ambition of the 2015 Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Three principles guide our action: use less, use better and use longer, with a focus on recyclability and circular economy.
Why join us
FORVIA, a global automotive technology supplier, comprises the complementary technology and industrial strengths of Faurecia and HELLA.
With over 137 500 people, including more than 12,000 R&D engineers across 40+ countries, FORVIA provides a unique and comprehensive approach to the automotive challenges of today and tomorrow. Composed of 6 business groups and a strong IP portfolio of over 12,400 patents, FORVIA is focused on becoming the preferred innovation and integration partner for OEMs worldwide.
In 2025, the Group achieved a consolidated revenue of 26.2 billion euros prior to IFRS 5. FORVIA SE is listed on the Euronext Paris market under the FRVIA mnemonic code and is a component of the SBF 120 index.
FORVIA aims to be a change maker committed to foreseeing and making the mobility transformation happen. www.forvia.com