CESAR PALOMO
Strategic Sourcing and Supply Chain
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
Strategic Purchasing and Supply Chain Leader with 20 years of automotive industry experience, specializing in end-to-end supply chain optimization in gasoline, EV technologies, advanced vehicle systems, and strategic sourcing. Proven expertise in implementing governance frameworks, developing comprehensive policies, and driving continuous improvement across traditional and emerging vehicle technologies. Consistently delivered over $10 million in annual cost savings through strategic sourcing, robust supplier management, advanced analytics, TCO analysis, and integrated business planning approaches.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Aftersales Supply Chain
NIKOLA CORPORATION
12.2024 - 04.2025
- Leading comprehensive end-to-end supply chain management for aftersales parts in Battery Electric (BEV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) truck segments.
- Managing the spare parts inventory of +$8M with over 4,000 parts with over 400 suppliers worldwide with 8 staff members.
- Developing service-exclusive parts and kits. Securing material availability for warranties and service campaigns.
- Developing strategic sourcing frameworks to optimize parts availability and reduce procurement cycles.
Purchasing Manager Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Cell Systems
NIKOLA CORPORATION
03.2022 - 04.2025
- Orchestrated strategic sourcing and contract management for cutting-edge hydrogen technologies, managing $57M annual spend with 65 suppliers and 450-part numbers
- Manage complex contractual relationships with suppliers, balancing cost objectives with technical requirements and risk considerations
- Implement supplier performance metrics and continuous improvement initiatives, achieving 5% cost optimization
- Develop and execute procurement transformation roadmap for next-generation truck technologies
- Manage team of 5 procurement professionals, driving accountability and development
Senior Manager Aftersales Service Lane Product Planning
Nissan Motor Corporation
12.2020 - 02.2022
- Developed new programs and products for service line offer in Nissan dealers.
- Monitored the adoption of corporate service programs in National Dealers
- Prepared and executed new product line introduction in the Mexican market (OMNI Parts Brand)
- Ensured regulatory compliance for all product launches and supplier agreements
Senior Manager Commodity Management, Parts Planning and Dealer Support
Nissan Motor Corporation
05.2019 - 12.2020
- Orchestrated strategic planning processes for dealer support operations, aligning stakeholders around common objectives
- Led interaction with Renault-Nissan global functions to track service line performance and know-how sharing across sites.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive aftersales parts catalog
- Implemented robust parts cost control mechanisms, achieving 10% efficiency improvement
- Led continuous improvement initiatives across multiple stakeholder groups
Sr. Manager Purchasing Aftersales
Nissan Motor Corporation
04.2017 - 04.2019
- Managed $135M procurement budget and led a team of 8 staff members responsible for supplier contracts and relationships
- Developed and implemented strategic sourcing transformation initiatives, delivering 3.8% cost reduction over 2 years
- Negotiated long-term supplier agreements to secure parts availability beyond end of production
- Managed supply availability for service campaigns and recalls activities in the dealer network.
Regional Supplier Performance Manager Interior Trim
Nissan Motor Corporation
08.2015 - 04.2017
- Led sourcing activities and cost optimization for Headliners, Door panels, Sun visors, Carpets, Trunk trim)
- Led cost reduction initiatives for interior trim components, achieving 6% savings on $230M annual spend
- Developed cross-functional cost reduction roadmaps with engineering and manufacturing teams
- Developed localization strategies to reduce logistics costs and optimize currency basket content
- Implemented supplier benchmarking methodology across interior trim category
Regional Supplier Performance Manager Body & Thermal Systems
Nissan Motor Corporation
09.2013 - 08.2015
- Led sourcing activities and cost optimization for HVAC, Engine Cooling Module, thermal lines, windshield and other glasses, lighting, outside mirrors, and body sealing components
- Achieved 4.7% cost reduction over 3 years on $205M annual spend through data-driven negotiations
- Developed cross-functional cost reduction roadmaps with engineering and manufacturing teams
- Developed localization strategies to reduce logistics costs and optimize currency basket content
Regional Supplier Performance Manager Chassis
Nissan Motor Corporation
11.2009 - 09.2013
- Led strategic sourcing for fuel systems and brake system components, achieving 5% cost reduction over 4 years
- Achieved 5% cost reduction over 3 years on $205M annual spent through lean procurement practices and spend analysis
- Developed cross-functional cost reduction roadmaps with engineering and manufacturing teams
- Developed localization strategies to reduce logistics costs and optimize currency basket content
Education
Master of Business Administration -
ITAM (Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo De México)
09-2017
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering - Specialization in Automation and Robotics
UPIICSA - IPN
Skills
- Supply chain management
- Strategic Sourcing
- Supplier Performance Management
- Procurement Analytics Platforms
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Basic Power BI Experience
- ERP Systems
- Risk Mitigation
- Cost optimization
- Contract Management
- Supplier Risk Mitigation
- Process Optimization
- Change Management
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Digital Procurement Solutions
- Electric & Hydrogen Vehicle Technologies
- Cost Reduction Strategies
- Business Continuity Planning
- Contract Management Platforms
- Procurement Analytics
- Cost Modeling Tools
- Supplier Relationship Management Systems
- Data Visualization Tools
Accomplishments
- Led strategic sourcing activities for 10+ new vehicles across multi-site production, including next-generation technology implementation (examples: Nikola TRE FCEV, Infiniti QX50, Nissan Sentra, Kicks, Versa, Note, March, NP300, NV200, Tsuru, Platina)
- Managed $200M+ annual spend while driving cost reductions exceeding $10M through supplier negotiation and performance optimization
- Developed international supplier networks across multiple automotive component categories including EV systems and advanced technologies
- Created comprehensive supplier performance assessments to secure cost, quality, and timely deliveries for production and aftermarket requirements
- Implemented RFQ processes resulting in 8% average cost improvements while maintaining quality standards
- Managed Performance of large quantity of suppliers to secure cost, quality and timely deliveries for serial production and aftersales customers’ requirements.
Personal Information
Title: Strategic Sourcing Manager
Languages
- Spanish, Native
- English, Professional Working Proficiency
Professional Interests
- Autonomous Vehicle Technologies
- Supply Chain Innovation
- Electric Mobility Infrastructure
- Zero Emission Technologies
Technical Proficiencies
ERP Systems, Procurement Analytics Platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, Basic Power BI Experience, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Performance Management, Risk Mitigation
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Manager, Aftersales Supply Chain
NIKOLA CORPORATION
12.2024 - 04.2025
Purchasing Manager Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Cell Systems
NIKOLA CORPORATION
03.2022 - 04.2025
Senior Manager Aftersales Service Lane Product Planning
Nissan Motor Corporation
12.2020 - 02.2022
Senior Manager Commodity Management, Parts Planning and Dealer Support
Nissan Motor Corporation
05.2019 - 12.2020
Sr. Manager Purchasing Aftersales
Nissan Motor Corporation
04.2017 - 04.2019
Regional Supplier Performance Manager Interior Trim
Nissan Motor Corporation
08.2015 - 04.2017
Regional Supplier Performance Manager Body & Thermal Systems
Nissan Motor Corporation
09.2013 - 08.2015
Regional Supplier Performance Manager Chassis
Nissan Motor Corporation
11.2009 - 09.2013
Master of Business Administration -
ITAM (Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo De México)
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering - Specialization in Automation and Robotics
UPIICSA - IPN
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