Ralph Truelove

Ralph has over 20 years of progressive leadership experience advancing from multi-scoped operational responsibilities to his current executive-level position as Director of Purchasing North America - Indirect. His current responsibilities span across 45 locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico with a direct team of 48 purchasing professionals. Ralph’s purchasing experience includes direct-commodity, indirect, MRO, equipment/tooling, and logistics. Additionally, he has managed multiple organizational transformations of procurement teams into center-led, categorically-aligned structures comprised of strategic and tactical functions.

Ralph’s professional career began as a Process Engineer, implementing a customized AS/RS system for the storage, sub-assembly, assembly and packaging of door hardware devices for Von Durpin. Thereafter, Ralph entered the automotive industry with then TRW (ZF) working as a manufacturing / project engineer for airbag control modules. He then moved to Valeo Engine Cooling, where he held various positions in new programs, industrialization, supplier quality, purchasing, and manufacturing management. Ralph joined Behr America, Inc. (MAHLE) in 2007 as the North America Purchasing Manager – Indirect, later moving to manage Commodity Purchasing function for direct metal materials. After taking the role of Director of Purchasing NA - Indirect, he initiated the setup of a center-led structure where he transformed the indirect purchasing from decentralize-focused to a center-led function realigning into category management responsibilities.

While building his professional career, Ralph was active in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he retired in 2015 with over 27 years of service. He started his military career as an enlisted Infantryman and then was commissioned as an Officer into the Signal Corps. During his tenure, he led numerous Soldiers and civilian personnel in various situations, successfully developing, leading and managing teams in military environments while living a culture that promoted the highest Values. This parallel experience offered Ralph his attention-to-detail, right-first-time, and results focus, while not losing sight of the most import asset, the Team.

Ralph lives in Rochester, Michigan. He is married and has three children.