Global Commodity Manager

CTS Corporation•Elkhart, IN

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Global Commodity Manager manages assigned commodities and suppliers within CTS’s Sensors and Mechatronics Business Unit. The role leads sourcing of goods and services for the global facilities in the business unit, with responsibility for direct purchases that may include resins and molded components, wires and harnesses, connectors and harness components, fasteners, and bearings. In collaboration with Purchasing leadership and business stakeholders, the manager defines and executes commodity strategies, including expectations for spend, cost, footprint, sourcing allocations, and savings. The role owns supplier relationships and commercial and contractual matters, conducts strategic sourcing and negotiations, and adapts commodity strategies to evolving business and market needs. It also supports the launch of high-quality products and programs at strong value throughout their product lifecycles. The position works across functions to support product commercial strategies, cost targets, new program sourcing, and continuous improvement. It analyzes supplier markets and risks, monitors supplier performance, and develops cost-saving initiatives. The primary office location may be Farmington, Michigan; Elkhart, Indiana; or Lisle, Illinois. Travel, domestic and international, is approximately 10% as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent in General Business, General Engineering, or Supply Chain Management.
5–10 years of progressive purchasing and supply-chain experience.
Sound decision-making skills using analytical data and information from internal and external sources.
Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
Strong Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel.
Experience developing and executing third-party software and AI tools that improve purchasing effectiveness, including supplier and CTS customer RFQ processes, supplier cost analysis, and long-term cost forecasting.
Comfort working on multifaceted and complex projects.
Organization and attention to detail.
Ability to establish or adjust priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong communication and presentation skills, including creating and presenting executive-level summaries.
Ability to work with diverse skill levels across the organization and build strong working relationships with purchasing personnel, external suppliers, and cross-functional team members.
Strong influence and leadership skills.
Ability to work several hours at a computer.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed, approximately 10%.

Nice To Haves

SAP experience.
Automotive or manufacturing background.

Responsibilities

Understand immediate and long-term business needs and ensure commodity strategies reflect stakeholder expectations throughout the CTS product lifecycle.
Develop and execute global commodity strategies covering supply-base rationalization, spend allocation, supplier negotiations, long-term agreements, contract creation and management, supplier identification and qualification, commercial justifications, ESG and sustainability, cost reductions, and supplier relationship management.
Analyze market trends, including geopolitical events, regulations, and commodity price indexes, as well as market capacity and material availability, to develop initiatives that maximize benefits or offset risks.
Own commercial and contractual relationships with suppliers and serve as the internal supplier-management escalation point.
Develop deep knowledge of assigned commodities, including products, processes, and market dynamics, and serve as the commercial expert.
Monitor supplier performance, including quality, delivery, spending, and financial health, and drive corrective measures when appropriate.
Source assigned goods and services according to commodity strategies, company policies, and purchasing procedures, including initiating RFQs, evaluating quotations, assessing supplier capabilities and value, and supporting make-versus-buy analysis.
Contribute to CTS product commercial strategies in cross-functional teams, including development of CIP and VAVE projects to meet or exceed internal cost targets.
Initiate, develop, and implement supplier cost-saving ideas that support commodity commercial success.
Manage sourcing for new programs as part of Advanced Purchasing and oversee sourcing for extension and replacement business.
Continuously improve departmental procedures and supplier performance.