Commodity Manager

Sappi; Westbrook (ME); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Sappi North America is seeking a strategic Commodity Manager to lead sourcing for assigned categories. You will develop category strategies, manage supplier negotiations, and partner with cross-functional teams to drive cost optimization, risk management, and continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.

With 5+ years in procurement and a CPSM/CSCP/CPM or equivalent certification, you will influence supplier performance and ensure ethical sourcing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Finance, Economics, Operations Management, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supply chain management, or related field.
• Proven success developing and implementing sourcing strategies with measurable business results.
• Experience leading supplier negotiations, managing supplier relationships, and executing complex sourcing initiatives.
• Strong analytical, financial, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or equivalent.
• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing or industrial operations.
• Experience with supplier performance management, contract negotiations, and supply risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies that optimize total cost of ownership, mitigate supply risk, and support business objectives.
• Monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, and industry developments to identify opportunities and risks.
• Lead strategic sourcing activities, including supplier evaluations, RFPs, negotiations, contract management, and supplier selection.
• Negotiate commercial agreements that balance cost, quality, service, innovation, and supply continuity.
• Establish and manage key supplier relationships, driving performance, innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
• Identify and implement value creation initiatives focused on cost savings, process improvements, working capital optimization, and risk reduction.
• Develop performance metrics and communicate category results, supplier performance, and sourcing strategies to leadership.
• Partner with operations, manufacturing, finance, legal, technical, and supply chain teams to align sourcing decisions and drive successful implementation.
• Collaborate with global procurement teams to leverage enterprise opportunities and share market intelligence.
• Ensure supplier compliance with company policies, ethical sourcing standards, and contractual requirements.

Skills

Procurement expertise

Sourcing strategy

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Certifications (CPSM/CPM/CSCP)

Multi-site operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/SCM/Engineering/Finance

Job description

Sappi North America
Sappi North America, headquartered in Boston with corporate offices in Portland, Maine, is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited, a global renewable resource company that uses every part of the tree to make sustainable woodfiber products. With over 12,000 employees and operations in seven countries, we serve customers worldwide. Our diversified businesses include Packaging, Speciality and Graphic Papers and Dissolving Pulp, offering premium products for various industries. From cosmetics packaging and food industry barrier papers to textiles and the clothes you wear, Sappi’s solutions are vital to the future of sustainable alternatives to plastic and other fossil fuel-based products.

Position Summary

Sappi North America is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Commodity Manager to lead sourcing strategies for assigned categories of spend. This role is responsible for delivering sustainable value through cost optimization, supply assurance, risk management, supplier performance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Commodity Manager serves as the subject matter expert for designated commodities, partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to develop and execute sourcing strategies that support business objectives, operational needs, and long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies that optimize total cost of ownership, mitigate supply risk, and support business objectives.
• Monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, and industry developments to identify opportunities and risks.
• Lead strategic sourcing activities, including supplier evaluations, RFPs, negotiations, contract management, and supplier selection.
• Negotiate commercial agreements that balance cost, quality, service, innovation, and supply continuity.
• Establish and manage key supplier relationships, driving performance, innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
• Identify and implement value creation initiatives focused on cost savings, process improvements, working capital optimization, and risk reduction.
• Develop performance metrics and communicate category results, supplier performance, and sourcing strategies to leadership.
• Partner with operations, manufacturing, finance, legal, technical, and supply chain teams to align sourcing decisions and drive successful implementation.
• Collaborate with global procurement teams to leverage enterprise opportunities and share market intelligence.
• Ensure supplier compliance with company policies, ethical sourcing standards, and contractual requirements.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Finance, Economics, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supply chain management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing sourcing strategies that deliver measurable business results.
• Experience leading supplier negotiations, managing supplier relationships, and executing complex sourcing initiatives.
• Strong analytical, financial, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or equivalent.
• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing or industrial operations.
• Experience with supplier performance management, commercial contract negotiations, and supply risk mitigation.

The base pay range represents the anticipated low and high end of the pay range for this position. Actual pay rates will vary and will be based on various factors, such as your qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.

Salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job.
Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

ABOUT SAPPI

Sappi isa leading global provider of everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we are building a more circular economy by making what we should, not just what we can.