Commodity Manager- Steel

Altec; Saint Joseph (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Prescription Drug

Retirement 401(k) Program

Vacation and Holidays

Flexible Spending Accounts

Tuition Assistance Program

Employee Assistance and Mental Health

Life Insurance, AD&D

Job summary

Altec in St. Joseph, Missouri, seeks a Commodity Manager – Steel to join the Strategic Sourcing team.

You will develop and execute sourcing strategies for steel, negotiate supplier agreements, and drive cost reductions while ensuring continuity of supply for manufacturing operations. This role partners with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, and Materials to support current production and future growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Six years of experience in procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, materials management, operations, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for steel commodities supporting manufacturing operations.
• Create, negotiate, implement, and manage short- and long-term commodity supply agreements.
• Develop, identify, and implement cost reduction strategies that deliver measurable results.
• Research and evaluate suppliers, market conditions, pricing trends, availability, and supply chain risks.
• Develop and maintain a robust supplier network that supports quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Lead supplier qualification, development, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to support both current production and future business needs.
• Monitor industry trends and developments affecting steel supply, pricing, and availability.
• Drive year-over-year material cost improvements within assigned commodity areas.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for supplier-related quality, delivery, and service concerns.
• Support new product development activities through supplier engagement and sourcing expertise.
• Coach and support purchasing and materials team members on commodity trends, supplier capabilities, and cost management opportunities.

Skills

Supplier management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Altec

Altec is a leading provider of products and services for the electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, lights and signs, and contractor markets. For nearly a century, Altec has been committed to helping customers safely and reliably build and maintain critical infrastructure.

Job Description

Why Join Altec?

COMMODITY MANAGER – STEEL

Supply Chain | St. Joseph, Missouri

About Altec

Altec is a leading provider of products and services for the electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, lights and signs, and contractor markets. For nearly a century, Altec has been committed to helping customers safely and reliably build and maintain critical infrastructure.

At Altec, our values guide everything we do:

• Enjoyment of Work
• Family
• Financial Stability
• Integrity
• People Are Our Greatest Strength
• Quality
• Spiritual Development
• Teamwork

We offer a collaborative environment where associates are empowered to innovate, solve complex challenges, and make meaningful contributions to our customers and communities.

About The Opportunity

Altec is seeking an experienced professional to join our Strategic Sourcing team, located in St. Joseph, Missouri, as a Commodity Manager – Steel.

This role is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, negotiating agreements, identifying cost reduction opportunities, and ensuring continuity of supply for steel commodities supporting manufacturing operations.

While steel is the primary focus of this position, the Commodity Manager may also support other commodity categories. Category assignments and areas of responsibility may be adjusted over time based on business needs, organizational structure, workload, and staffing.

The successful candidate will partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Materials, and Quality teams across the organization to support both current production and future business growth.

What You'll Do

As the Commodity Manager for Steel, you will:

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for steel commodities supporting manufacturing operations.
• Create, negotiate, implement, and manage short- and long-term commodity supply agreements.
• Develop, identify, and implement cost reduction strategies that deliver measurable results.
• Research and evaluate suppliers, market conditions, pricing trends, availability, and supply chain risks.
• Develop and maintain a robust supplier network that supports quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Lead supplier qualification, development, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to support current production and future business needs.
• Monitor industry trends and maintain awareness of developments affecting steel supply, pricing, and availability.
• Drive year-over-year material cost improvements within assigned commodity areas.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for supplier-related quality, delivery, and service concerns.
• Support new product development activities through supplier engagement and sourcing expertise.
• Coach and support purchasing and materials team members on commodity trends, supplier capabilities, and cost management opportunities.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Six years of applicable experience in procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, materials management, operations, or a related field.
• Strong supplier-management and negotiation experience.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop sourcing strategies and evaluate supplier performance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Should the selected candidate meet the qualifications of a more experienced level within the career path, the job level may be adjusted.

Preferred Experience

We are particularly interested in candidates who bring technical expertise and operational knowledge to the role, including:

• Experience sourcing steel, fabricated steel components, tube, plate, sheet, structural steel, or related materials.
• Knowledge of steelmaking and fabrication processes, metallurgy, material specifications, or industrial manufacturing applications.
• Experience in materials management, engineering, production management, or an engineered-products manufacturing environment.
• Experience evaluating supplier capabilities, quality systems, and production processes.
• MBA, APICS certification, or equivalent professional certification.

What Success Looks Like

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• A strong record of developing and implementing sourcing strategies.
• Proven success achieving cost reduction and continuous improvement objectives.
• The ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive strategic decisions.
• Strong analytical skills combined with sound business judgment.
• A proactive approach to supplier development, risk mitigation, and total cost management.
• A commitment to quality, safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

WHY ALTEC

At Altec, you'll have the opportunity to influence critical business decisions, partner with industry-leading suppliers, and help drive operational excellence across a world-class manufacturing organization. You'll join a collaborative culture that values innovation, integrity, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Join us and help build the supply chain that powers the products our customers depend on every day.

Additional Commodity Management Opportunities

As part of our long-term succession planning and procurement strategy, Altec is recruiting for multiple Commodity Manager disciplines, including:

• Steel
• Composites
• Electrical Components
• MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations)
• Market Pricing & Commodity Intelligence

Candidates whose experience aligns with more than one discipline are encouraged to review and apply for other Commodity Manager opportunities that match their background and interests.

Altec offers a competitive salary that rewards performance and dedication, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental and Prescription Drug Program
• Retirement 401(k) Program
• Vacation and Holidays
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Assistance and Mental Health/Substance Abuse Program
• Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

Altec Industries, Inc. and its affiliates are equal opportunity employers and maintain affirmative action plans to recruit, retain, develop, and promote qualified individuals without unlawful consideration of race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Altec strives to maintain a work environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, where associates are treated with respect and dignity.