Steve Jernigan is Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) and vice president, Purchasing, Nissan Americas. Appointed to this position in April 2026, Jernigan is responsible for overseeing all purchasing activities supporting Nissan's operations in the Americas, including vehicle assembly and engine manufacturing at U.S., Mexico and South America plants. He also oversees supplier quality assurance, purchasing project management and supplier relations, and serves as the North American regional purchasing lead for the Nissan Global Purchasing Organization.
Prior to this role, Jernigan served as senior director, Purchasing, Nissan Americas, where he led strategic sourcing and direct purchasing initiatives. He oversaw cost-saving strategies, strengthened supplier relationships and improved operational efficiency. His leadership spans contract negotiation, risk management and team leadership, with a strong focus on building high-performing teams and fostering collaborative partnerships.
Since joining Nissan in 2010, Jernigan has held senior leadership roles across supply chain and purchasing, including directing North American supply chain operations for the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Jernigan has been recognized for scaling complex organizations, optimizing spending, and delivering sustained operational and financial impact.
Jernigan holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a master's degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University.
(Created April 2026)
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