FCA Taps Magna Steyr Exec as Purchasing Chief

Carl Smiley, formerly president of Magna Steyr’s Asia operations, has been appointed to the newly created position of purchasing and supply chain chief for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV.

Smiley, 48, also held several jobs in engineering, purchasing and supplier quality at General Motors Co. in China, Mexico and the U.S.

He will report to Mike Manley, who took over as CEO last July after the death of Sergio Marchionne. Smiley also will join the company’s Group Executive Council, elevating the importance of supply chain operations to that group for the first time.

Separately, FCA has expanded the responsibilities of Scott Thiele, who heads purchasing in North America to include supply chain management for the region.