Cheryl Johnson

Dynamic and results-driven procurement executive leading a $20 billion global sourcing strategy for Chassis, Transmission, and Driveline systems across Ford’s ICE, BEV, and Pro product groups. Experienced in managing high-performing teams of 175+ professionals, optimizing supply chain operations, and driving cost efficiencies through strategic sourcing initiatives. Passionate about supplier partnerships, operational excellence, and advancing automotive innovation.

Lordstown Motors Corporation (Nasdaq: RIDE), an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of electric vehicles for the commercial fleet market. Partnership with Foxconn while supporting launch of its first vehicle - the Endurance full size battery electric pickup truck. (Finalist for the 2023 North American Truck of the Year (NACTOY) award.

During this time, I successfully managed and merged two tier-one companies, overseeing a team of 9 direct reports and 111 individuals, with a total spend of $1.8B, 15k SKUs, and 3,400 suppliers. My responsibilities included direct and indirect procurement, supply chain management, and logistics across 48 manufacturing locations in 18 countries. I brought significant financial value to the company by streamlining teams, standardizing procedures, optimizing sourcing, and negotiating premium prices. My comprehensive approach solidified my reputation as a game-changer, contributing significantly to the company's success. Highlights of accomplishments in this role include: • Tasked to achieve immediate cost savings; partnered with KPMG and initiated a comprehensive savings-focused approach across procurement, operations, and sales functions. Achieved $24M in annual savings for both Shiloh and Dura Automotive. • Transformed the business, including optimizing freight lanes, materials sourcing, hedging strategies, consolidating contracts, and commonizing spend across teams. • Successfully navigated the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring plants had parts, managing supply chain resiliency, and overcoming sourcing obstacles.

I was promoted to establish and lead a global team for a $3.4B startup joint venture, later becoming Veoneer. I managed 7 direct reports and 45 employees across China, Japan, and the US, overseeing a $1.9B P&L. My role involved executing business objectives, instilling a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring component supply from suppliers, and making vehicles marketable in all three regions. I demonstrated expertise in managing manufacturing operations, including material procurement, tooling, and setting up new plants. Highlights of accomplishments in this role include: • Drove the implementation of new technologies, such as brake-by-wire, while effectively managing costs and reducing waste. • Achieved an average savings of 5.3% over 3 consecutive years. • Reduced production costs by $22M in manufacturing facilities in Japan and China through a gearbox resourcing initiative, collaborating with engineering to redesign modules and achieving savings of $20 per module.

I joined the organization to lead a successful venture between Autoliv and Nissin Kogyo, delivering 2.5M vehicles to Ford and GM. I established procurement, supplier quality, and supplier development functions from scratch. Highlights of accomplishments in this role include: • Utilized OEM knowledge and cross-functional expertise to win business away from major competitors, deliver innovative solutions, while capitalizing on EBITDA growth. • Achieved 100% employee retention rate by leveraging deep network to recruit seasoned talent, fostering a positive work culture, and offering attractive employment packages. • Led strategic sourcing efforts from Japan to the US, successfully reducing transfer costs by $12.8M, overcoming language barriers and ensuring compliance with Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) requirements.

In 2014, I took ownership of a global vehicle budget of $12.3B and led a global team of 48 responsible for 25k SKUs across multiple manufacturing sites. I achieved elevated vehicle profitability by implementing strategic productivity improvements and was rated among the Top 1% of executives in a company-wide survey as an exceptional leader with an unwavering focus on team building and development.

I expanded my leadership scope to manage a $3.4B global vehicle budget. I played an instrumental role in launching a new Cadillac manufacturing plant in China, ensuring comparable quality to US plants. I was recognized for implementing a pioneering purchasing model, maintaining pricing and making internal trade-offs to prevent cost escalation. I significantly impacted the industry, leading to the establishment of dedicated purchasing teams worldwide.

Led 20 commodity buyers located in the US, Mexico, Romania, Brazil, China, Korea, Japan, India, and Australia. My key achievements: • Received Recognition Award from Senior VP (now CEO Mary Barra) for maintaining and safeguarding suppliers following earthquake and tsunami in Japan and flooding in Thailand.

Managed a team of 12 Advanced Purchasing Senior Buyers, coordinating commodity strategies for all future vehicles within the Electrical SMT: • Negotiated supplier contracts to ensure annual improvements in performance, quality, and delivery while securing $18M in savings. • Provided astute supplier management minimizing supplier selection by 50% for key strategic electrical commodities.

Held numerous “People Leader” positions within General Motors for the following commodities: • Tires • Steering systems • Powertrain non-ferrous cylinder head, engine block, exhaust manifolds • Exhaust systems, catalytic converters • Electrical connectors