Commodity Manager - Direct Materials

Valmont Industries, Inc.; Nebraska; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare (medical)

401k retirement plan with companymatch

Paid time off

Employer paid life insurance

Disability coverage

Tuition Reimbursement

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Valmont Industries, Inc. is seeking a Commodity Manager to develop and execute sourcing strategies for critical manufacturing commodities. You will partner with Operations, Engineering, Finance, and Product Management to optimize supplier performance, drive value creation, and ensure supply continuity across North American operations.

The role emphasizes supplier development, risk management, and cost leadership with measurable savings and strong cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 5+ years in strategic sourcing or procurement within manufacturing.
• Self-starter able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience sourcing direct materials in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Strong negotiation, supplier management and contract management skills.
• Proven track record of cost reduction and value improvement initiatives.
• Advanced Excel and spend analysis proficiency; ERP experience required.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 40%.

Responsibilities

• Analyze market conditions, trends, cost drivers, and risks for assigned commodities.
• Develop and execute multi-year commodity strategies aligned with business goals.
• Lead supplier selection, RFQ/RFP, and sourcing activities.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, payment terms, and INCOTERMs.
• Drive productivity and cost savings using ERP, analytics, and BI tools.
• Build strategic supplier relationships and monitor financial/operational health.
• Conduct supplier business reviews and performance evaluations.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations on qualification and new product development.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities and lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives.
• Manage risk and ensure continuous supply across global operations.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier management

Cost reduction

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication

Excel proficiency

ERP experience

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain/Business/Engineering/Materials Science

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

• Strong financial acumen

15000 Valmont Plaza Omaha Nebraska 68154

Why Valmont

We’re Here to Move the World Forward.

Valmont impacts millions of people around the world every day, yet they might not realize the many ways. Our technology is helping feed the growing population, supplying the world with more reliable energy and access to renewables, enhancing connectivity in remote and urban locations to create a sustainable future and so much more. Simply put, Valmont is advancing agricultural productivity and reimagining vital infrastructure to make life better.

Join a Fortune 1000 company that respects hard work, honors diversity and invests in our employees as we focus on creating the world of tomorrow, today. We are the modern workforce. Are you ready to move the world forward?

A Brief Summary Of This Position

The Commodity Manager (CM) is responsible for developing and executing category and sourcing strategies for assigned commodities that support the company's operational, financial, quality, and growth objectives. This role serves as a strategic business partner responsible for delivering measurable value through sourcing excellence, supplier development, risk management, and cost leadership across critical manufacturing commodities all while ensuring continuity of supply across a global manufacturing footprint with a primary focus on North American operations. The successful candidate will partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, Finance, Legal, and Product Management to develop sourcing strategies, negotiate commercial agreements, manage supplier performance, and identify opportunities for value creation throughout the supply chain. This position is ideal for a sourcing professional with experience managing direct materials and suppliers in a complex industrial manufacturing environment.

The CM will identify and drive productivity within the assigned Category, network with Valmont facilities to build a strong project funnel, support cross‑functional teams (Operations, Engineering, Quality, Product Management) by ensuring timely supply of quality material and support various initiatives driven by Leadership, such as VA/VE and e‑Sourcing. This position will also work to review the existing supply base, evaluate and mitigate risk, and evaluate suppliers from a GME (Grow, Maintain, and Exit) perspective. The CM will also work to improve payment terms with our suppliers to drive improved cash flow while working with Engineering, Supplier Quality Development and Operations to effectively source parts and/or raw materials.

Essential Functions

• This position reports to Vice President, Global Sourcing & Logistics and has no direct or indirect reports
• Analyze market conditions, industry trends, cost drivers, capacity constraints, and supply risks within assigned commodities
• Develop and execute multi-year commodity strategies aligned with business objectives
• Lead supplier selection, RFQ, RFP, and sourcing activities
• Execute sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, delivery, innovation, and risk to meet Valmont requirements for safety, on‑time delivery, and other business terms
• Lead commercial negotiations including pricing, contracts, payment terms, INCOTERMs, capacity commitments, and service agreements to establish competitive / beneficial conditions for Valmont
• Drive annual productivity and cost savings initiatives by utilizing ERP, spend analytics, and business intelligence tools to support decision‑making
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers while monitoring their financial health and operational performance
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews and performance evaluations
• Partner with suppliers to identify cost reduction, quality improvement, and lead‑time reduction opportunities
• Identify and mitigate risks related to supply disruption, geopolitical factors, tariffs, transportation, and capacity constraints
• Performs detailed supply market analysis – commodities, industries, and suppliers related to Valmont procurement
• Track and report cost savings, supplier performance, and sourcing project statusParticipates in all required monthly, quarterly and/or annual reporting cycles
• Supports and leads supply optimization efforts to include consolidation, dual sourcing, rationalization, risk mitigation, etc.
• Drive supplier rationalization and footprint optimization initiatives where appropriate.
• Support global sourcing initiatives while ensuring responsiveness to U.S.-based manufacturing operations
• Work closely with Engineering during new product development and supplier qualification activities
• Special projects and other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications Of Every Candidate

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business (Economics or Finance), Engineering, Chemistry, or Materials Science
• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, commodity management, procurement, or supply chain roles within manufacturing
• Self-starter, ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Experience sourcing direct materials in an industrial manufacturing environment
• Strong negotiation, supplier management, and contract management skills
• Demonstrated experience managing cost reduction and value improvement initiatives
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and negotiating capabilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office - advanced Excel skills, ERP systems, and spend analysis tools
• Experience sourcing direct materials in an industrial manufacturing environment that is directly tied to material indexes
• Proven track record of supplier development, management, and sustained productivity
• Strong financial acumen
• Project management skills to:
• Develop realistic plans, action steps, and timetables for cost reduction and value improvement initiatives
• Consistently meet deadlines
• Coordinate work with other cross‑functional groups
• Abe to handle multiple demands and competing priorities
• Able to build and maintain effective work relationships both internally and externally to establish credibility with business partners
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Able to effectively communicate the English language both verbally and in writing
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 40%, including overnight stays

Preferred Candidates Will Also Possess These Qualifications

• Experience with metals, castings, forgings, machined components, fabricated assemblies, or industrial commodities
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing facilities
• Knowledge of global sourcing, international trade, and tariff management
• APICS, CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or similar professional certification
• MBA or advanced degree in Materials Science, Chemistry or Mechanical Engineering

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Commercial Negotiation
• Cost Analysis & Financial Acumen
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Communication & Influencing Skills
• Project Management
• Risk Management
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Continuous Improvement Mindset

Working Environment And Physical Efforts

Work is typically performed in an office setting. Up to 40% overnight travel (both domestic and international) may be required. The incumbent may be required to go into the production areas up to 20% of the time. When working in production areas the employee will be subjected to welding smoke, noise, seasonal temperature changes, dirt, oil, coolant, and many other conditions found in a production environment. When in the shop, the employee shall require the proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as is determined by the production area. When working in the production areas or on a project, the employee may require walking, bending, climbing, and squatting, and other physical movements to implement processes or to view current processes as needed. Approximately 50% of the tasks are sedentary with the other 50% of the tasks requiring non-sedentary movement. The employee may be required to do lifting, carrying, bending, kneeling, pivoting, reaching, and/or standing for extended periods of time.

Benefits

Valmont offers employees and their families a comprehensive Total Wellbeing benefit package to ensure their individual and family’s overall wellness needs are met. Some offerings are dependent upon the role, work schedule, or location and can include the following:

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave
• Work Life Support
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services and more

Valmont does not discriminate against any employee or applicant in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you have a disability and require any assistance in filling out the application for employment email [e-mail].