Commodity Manager - Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Salary: $95,000 - $105,000 per year, plus top benefits and relocation assistance

About the Position

We are seeking a highly skilled Commodity Manager to join our dynamic team in Mankato, MN. This role is pivotal in planning, organizing, and controlling the sourcing of materials and services for a variety of commodities. The ideal candidate will implement global supply management strategies to foster supplier partnerships, reduce the supplier base, manage assets effectively, and drive continuous quality improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation: Lead negotiations on procurement contracts to achieve cost savings and timely delivery. Ensure all contracts are legally binding and auditable.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Develop, evaluate, and manage supplier relationships to meet material cost, availability, and inventory goals.
• Quality Assurance: Analyze and troubleshoot quality issues, influencing suppliers to resolve problems efficiently.
• Performance Monitoring: Maintain supplier quality through assessments, evaluations, and ongoing monitoring. Oversee supplier performance with periodic reviews and audits.
• Liaison Role: Act as a liaison between suppliers and the company to resolve issues and prevent supply interruptions.
• New Material Procurement: Procure and evaluate new materials for each phase of the design process.
• Supplier Coordination: Arrange engineering samples and lead the qualification process for new or updated materials.
• Product Development Support: Serve as a materials resource on product development teams.
• Commodity Procurement Plans: Design and implement procurement plans, managing transitions to strategic suppliers.
• Inventory Management: Develop inventory targets and monitor processes to forecast fluctuations.
• Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI): Review, design, implement, and monitor VMI programs.
• Cross-functional Leadership: Provide leadership across Production, Quality, Finance, and Logistics departments.
• Regulatory Compliance: Execute regulatory requirements including international shipping documentation.
• Market Analysis: Monitor market trends and keep the business informed of industry movements.

Job Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, or equivalent.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years in buying complex commodities and managing supplier relationships.
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to influence others.
  • Strong negotiation and diplomacy skills for managing complex supplier relationships.
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Proficiency in Manufacturing Requirements Planning (MRP) and JD Edwards (JDE).
  • Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • Experience in project management from concept to implementation.
  • Willingness to travel domestically and potentially internationally.

About Mankato, MN

Mankato is a vibrant city known for its rich history, scenic beauty, and strong community spirit. With a blend of urban amenities and small-town charm, Mankato offers an excellent quality of life with numerous recreational activities, cultural events, and educational opportunities.

Why This Is a Great Opportunity

This role offers the chance to impact our global supply chain strategy significantly. You will work with a dedicated team to drive supplier partnerships, enhance quality standards, and support new product developments. The hybrid work model also provides flexibility with work-from-home options on Mondays and Fridays.

Apply Now

If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for supply chain management and meet the qualifications listed above, we encourage you to apply. Join us in Mankato and be part of a team that values innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.