Senior Commodity Manager

The Ed Wallach Search Group; Mankato (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ed Wallach Search Group in Mankato, MN, is seeking an experienced procurement management professional. You will be responsible for sourcing and negotiating procurement contracts, developing supplier relationships, and ensuring efficient inventory management. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in business, economics, or engineering, plus at least 7 years of relevant experience. Strong negotiation, leadership, and interpersonal skills are essential, along with proficiency in JD Edwards (JDE) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience managing moderately complex procurement contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex supplier relationships requiring strong negotiation skills.
• Requires some domestic and international travel.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and administer procurement contracts focusing on cost savings.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships to achieve inventory goals.
• Monitor supplier performance through audits and performance metrics.
• Design and implement procurement plans for existing and new business.
• Ensure a smooth transition of materials to customers.

Skills

Leadership skills

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal communication

Problem-solving skills

Knowledge of mechanical/electrical devices

Project management

MPR knowledge

Microsoft Office Suite proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, engineering or equivalent

Tools

JD Edwards (JDE)

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Location: Mankato, MN
Security Clearance: N/A

This role plans, organizes and controls the sourcing of materials and services that embodies major strategic commodities which are highly financially impactful. Implements global supply management strategies to achieve supplier partnerships, supplier base reduction, effective asset management, continuous quality improvement, delivery and cycle time performance improvement, and early supplier involvement in our new product developments.

Key Responsibilities

• Negotiates and administers complex procurement contracts that encompass cost savings and delivery. Leads moderately complex to complex negotiations on strategic sourcing contracts, ensuring legally binding and auditable elements are accurately documented and retained. Selects, appoints and steers a supply base that progresses JOI’s objectives on cost, cash, service levels and technology platforms.
• Develops, evaluates, and manages supplier relationships to accomplish material cost, availability and inventory goals; analyzes and troubleshoots quality problems and influences suppliers in the resolution process.
• Maintains supplier quality through assessment, evaluation and ongoing monitoring, including performance management in delivery, process flexibility and total cost management. Oversees supplier performance by performing periodic credit/organizational reviews, ensuring supplier site audits, and developing and reporting supplier performance metrics. Acts as a liaison between suppliers and Johnson Outdoors Inc. to troubleshoot, analyze and resolve issues and deliver solutions to avoid supply interruption and adverse costs.
• Procures and evaluates all necessary new materials for each phase of the design process. Coordinates supplier information gathering and visits, arranges engineering samples, and leads the qualification process of new, updated or troublesome materials with suppliers and JOI inspection. Supports production/new‑product introduction activity by serving as a member and/or materials resource on product development teams.
• Designs, develops and implements commodity procurement plans, including managing the transition of new and existing business to the strategic suppliers. Ensures a smooth and positive transition to JOI’s customers.
• Develops inventory targets, monitors phases of all processes to forecast fluctuations, and alerts teams of needed inventory adjustments.
• Develops and regularly monitors a plan to minimize obsolete, out‑of‑date or scrap material in the most efficient and cost‑effective manner.
• Reviews, researches, designs, implements and monitors Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs (existing and future). Provides leadership and direction to cross‑functional relationships with suppliers and JOI Production, Quality, Finance departments as well as logistics planning.
• Provides leadership in the research of new products/process technologies. Works closely with sales and engineering influencing design and material selection to ensure lowest cost materials/services at highest quality and on‑time delivery.
• Monitors and manages external influences to cost and performance (short and long term) including economical, logistics and environmental factors.
• Routinely provides guidance and daily direction to buyers relative to business partners and suppliers.
• Executes designated regulatory requirements, including country of origin certificates and other international shipping requirements. Researches and assigns Harmonized Tariff Codes to purchased parts.
• Monitors market technology and trends, keeping the business aware of necessary industry movements relevant to the production and sourcing/purchasing markets.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, engineering or equivalent.

Experience

Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of experience managing moderately complex procurement contracts, vendor negotiations and the sourcing of goods and services.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated leadership skills and abilities to influence others, lead work teams and provide guidance to other staff.
• Skills and ability to effectively manage complex internal and external supplier relationships requiring diplomacy and negotiation skills and a depth of specialized knowledge.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate with all levels throughout the organization and external vendors, strong customer service orientation, excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to drive for results.
• Good working knowledge of a wide variety of mechanical/electrical devices, capability to perform specialized analysis/calculations, and knowledge of applicable manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Experience in Manufacturing Requirements Planning (MRP), JD Edwards (JDE), logistics and domestic/international contract writing.
• Requires some domestic and potentially some international travel.
• Advanced skills and proficiency in using the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook).
• Expertise in managing projects from concept development to implementation and evaluation.