Global Commodity Manager

CTS Corporation•Elkhart, IN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Global Commodity Manager leads sourcing of goods and services for assigned commodities across global facilities within CTS’s Sensors and Mechatronics Business Unit. The role manages direct-purchase categories that may include resins and molded components, wires and harnesses, connectors and harness components, fasteners, and bearings. Working with Purchasing leadership and business stakeholders, the manager defines commodity expectations such as spend, costs, footprint, sourcing allocations, and savings. The manager owns supplier relationships and commercial and contractual arrangements, leads strategic sourcing and negotiations, and adapts commodity strategies to changing business and market needs. The position also supports cross-functional business goals and the launch of high-quality products and programs that provide the best value over their lifecycle.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent in General Business, General Engineering, or Supply Chain Management.
Five to ten 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 to improve purchasing effectiveness, including supplier and 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 people across diverse skill levels and build strong relationships with purchasing personnel, suppliers, and cross-functional team members.
Strong influence and leadership skills.
Ability to work at a computer for several hours.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed, approximately 10%.

Nice To Haves

SAP experience is preferred.
Automotive or manufacturing background preferred.

Responsibilities

Understand immediate and long-term business needs and ensure commodity strategies reflect stakeholder expectations over the product lifecycle.
Develop and execute global commodity strategies, including 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, geopolitical events, regulations, commodity price indexes, market capacity, and material availability to identify opportunities and mitigate risks.
Own commercial and contractual relationships with suppliers and serve as the internal supplier-management escalation point.
Develop deep knowledge of assigned commodities, products, processes, and market dynamics, and serve as the commercial expert.
Monitor supplier quality, delivery, spending, and financial health, and drive corrective measures as appropriate.
Source assigned goods and services in accordance with commodity strategies, company policies, and purchasing procedures; initiate RFQs, evaluate quotations, assess supplier capabilities and value, and support make-versus-buy analyses.
Contribute to CTS product commercial strategy in cross-functional teams, including developing CIP and VAVE projects to meet or exceed internal cost targets.
Initiate, develop, and implement supplier cost-saving ideas that contribute to commodity commercial success.
Manage sourcing for new programs through Advanced Purchasing and oversee sourcing for extension and replacement business.
Continuously improve departmental procedures and supplier performance.