Juan Carlos Molina Gachuz

• Led a 35-member procurement team managing multi plant purchasing operations across four manufacturing sites in Mexico , overseeing $480M+ USD in annual spend across 300+ direct material suppliers and 1,500+ MRO vendors.
• Strategic Commodity Leadership Scope

Direct Materials: Oversight of high-complexity components including machining, die casting, stamping, sintering, molding, insert molding, functional parts and e-parts, raw materials among other specialized categories.

Indirect Materials (MRO): Leadership across capital expenditures (CAPEX), construction, spare parts, scrap management, sub-materials, packaging, and site services—ensuring cost efficiency and operational continuity

• Negotiated cost-saving agreements with key suppliers , exceeding Fiscal Year 2024 savings targets with results of $7.98M (direct materials) and $9.18M (MRO).
• Successfully led sourcing strategies aligned to QCDT criteria to meet direct material cost objectives for new product launches.
• Improved quality and delivery performance metrics with key suppliers , achieving a composite score of 85 (vs. target 70+).
• Directed a comprehensive reform of indirect material procurement , strengthening RFQ governance and implementing robust controls across foundational sourcing processes. Successfully executed a large-scale renewal and standardization of 160+ supplier contracts, delivering $1M+ USD in cost benefits and improved compliance for Denso.
• Strengthened team capability through targeted training systems and automation initiatives that increased efficiency by 10% in Fiscal Year 2024
• Championed talent development by mentoring and preparing high-potential team members to step into middle and senior management roles, reinforcing leadership continuity and strengthening the long-term capabilities of the sourcing organization.
• Led a transformative program transitioning 12 Mexico-based buyers from local to regional scope, enhancing organizational agility, strengthening long-term sourcing strategies, and deepening cross-border collaboration within the North America Purchasing Group.

• Assigned as North America Sourcing Manager in October 2020 , during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and global supply chain disruptions, to lead strategic sourcing for new model development across six U.S. and four Mexico automotive manufacturing plants.
• Led and developed cross-functional team of 10+ sourcing professionals across the U.S. and Mexico , coordinating closely with Denso's Overseas Purchasing Group to ensure alignment, global integration, and responsive execution.
• Drove the development and execution of a long-term supplier strategy (2020–2025) for over $150M USD in direct material sourcing, managing critical technologies such as stamping, machining, die casting, sintering, and molding.
• Spearheaded complex cross-border collaboration and agile execution by aligning engineering, procurement, and quality teams across North America under tight timelines and evolving launch demands. Leveraged my technical skillset to cultivate and earn a trust-based partnerships with Denso's quality and design teams ensuring strategic alignment and buy-in for proposed sourcing solutions
• Implemented and enabled long-term supply policies with a global mindset , balancing Denso international standards with localized execution strategies. Reported directly to the North America Director and Vice President, with ongoing accountability and performance updates to top NA executive management to ensure cross-regional alignment and strategic transparency.
• Directed sourcing analysis for 500+ components , covering both new product introductions and re-localization initiatives, securing launch readiness and supplier continuity amidst volatile market conditions.
• Championed a nearshoring initiative to strengthen the Mexico supply base , with $25M+ USD cost reduction by relocating sourcing from overseas and U.S. suppliers to regional partners.
• Expanded and diversified the supplier network , qualifying strategic partners in Mexico and China to improve regional competitiveness and risk mitigation. (FY18–24: 10+ suppliers evaluated; 3 new in Mexico, 1 in China onboarded)
  

• Appointed Direct Material Manager for three Denso Mexico plants in January 2019 , overseeing a team of 12+ buyers and managing $200M+ USD in annual direct material spend for 250+ suppliers. Reported locally to the Mexico General Manager and regionally to the North America Purchasing Director.
• Designed and implemented a three-year cost reduction strategy , improving savings for direct material from 1% to 3% by 2021 through re-localization initiatives and VA/VE projects—exceeding targets despite COVID-driven market disruption.
• Led the successful integration of a new Denso manufacturing facility , assuming commercial responsibility for 50+ suppliers and standardizing them under Denso's purchasing policies and compliance procedures.
• Launched supplier capability enhancement programs in Mexico , focusing on stamping and cosmetic molding technologies to support regional expansion and align with future sourcing strategies.
• Led harmonization of local purchasing policies and compliance by aligning Denso Mexico procedures with North America regional governance standards.
• Initiated and stabilized payment resolution processes to resolve pricing discrepancies , improving supplier payment reliability and strengthening vendor trust across the supply chain.
• Led crisis response during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020 , coordinating recovery actions to resume supplier operations, ensuring uninterrupted delivery to Denso plants. Throughout the uncertainty, I prioritized my team's well-being—providing not only the tools and structure needed to perform, but also steady guidance and emotional support to help them stay motivated and resilient through the crisis.
• Enabled a strategic transformation of the Indirect Materials organization , supporting a shift from ad-hoc Spot PO practices to a structured Blanket PO model. Took ownership of RFQ processes for key categories like scrap and construction, driving standardization, operational efficiency, and contributing to $1M USD in cost reductions across Denso operations.

• Promoted to Manager of New Product Sourcing and Value Analysis (VA) initiatives in January 2018 , supporting three Denso Mexico plants with cross-functional sourcing responsibility for Division Mobility & Electronics, Electrification, Powertrain and Thermal.
• Led scouting, RFQ and Global sourcing for a diverse portfolio of components for products including engine valves & transmission body, HVAC system, alternators, clusters, AC panels, CIDs, and HUDs—across several manufacturing processes such as molding, cosmetic molding, stamping, die casting, machining, sintering, fine blanking, fasteners, and rubber.
• Managed a team of 8+ engineers , driving sourcing activities from early product concept through mass production launch in close collaboration with engineering, design, and quality teams.
• Integrated Value Engineering (VE) opportunities and design-for-manufacturing concepts since early product development with North America suppliers.
• Contributed for product profitability 8-10% by achieving below-target direct material costs and enabling North America raw material localization and components allocation with US and Mexico suppliers.
• Mentored and prepared a high-potential team member to successfully transition into the manager role upon succession, reinforcing leadership continuity and knowledge transfer.
  

• Led New Product Sourcing and Value Analysis (VA) initiatives , supporting Mobility and Electronics Business unit division with cross-functional sourcing responsibility.
• Led scouting, RFQ and NA sourcing for a diverse portfolio of components , including clusters, AC panels—across critical direct material processes such as molding, cosmetic molding, stamping, fasteners, and rubber.
  Managed a team of 3 engineers , driving sourcing activities from early product concept through mass production launch in close collaboration with engineering, design, and quality teams.
  Integrated VA opportunities and design-for-manufacturing concepts with suppliers, achieving below-target direct material costs in new products along with specials cost down initiatives with $5M usd total savings in the period 2015-2018

• Led New Product Sourcing and Value Analysis (VA) initiatives , supporting Electrification and Powertrain Business unit division with cross-functional sourcing responsibility.
• Led scouting, RFQ and NA sourcing for a diverse portfolio of components , including oil control valves, engine valves, evaporative leak control module, wheel speed sensor, alternator—across critical direct material processes such as molding, stamping, machining, sintering, die casting, fasteners, and rubber.
• Managed a team of 2 engineers , driving sourcing activities from early product concept through mass production launch, including tool DFM, quality parts approval monitoring
• Integrated VA opportunities and design-for-manufacturing concepts with suppliers, achieving below-target direct material costs in new products along with specials cost down initiatives with $1M usd total savings in the period 2013-2015

• Execute RFQ and NA sourcing for a diverse portfolio of components , including Accelerator pedal module and Evaporative Leak control module —across critical direct material processes such as molding, stamping, surface and heat treatment
• Led and execute Denso Mexico Localization activity “NON CKD” leader achieving $2M usd in the period 2010-2013
• Completed a 3-month strategic rotation at Denso Headquarters in Japan , partnering with design teams to accelerate VA and localization efforts with U.S. and Mexico suppliers, driving early alignment and cost optimization in new product programs.

• Execute RFQ and NA sourcing for a diverse portfolio of components , including wheel speed sensor, non contact sensor and engine valves —across critical direct material processes and working with US and Mexico suppliers for commodities related molding, stamping and machining, achieving new product direct material cost targets that contributed to 7% product profitability