Assoc. Comm. Mgr

Job summary

Under the direction of the Commodity Manager, you will act as a key interface between corporate and strategic supply partners. The Associate Commodity Manager will support the Commodity Manager in their responsibilities towards all aspects of strategic and tactical sourcing and procurement elements of the business, analyze trends, buying patterns, new market supplier potential and drive action/initiatives that will result in optimum key performance and cost-reduction results.

This is an evolving role in which the Associate Commodity Manager will work with the Supply Chain team as well as cross-functional teams, comprised of R&D, Product Marketing, Plant Operations and Logistics. The Associate Commodity Manager will work closely with the 40 plants located across North-America that make up the family of brands/companies.

Primary responsibilities

Support Commodity Manager in implementing quality and cost improvement programs and ensure alignment on key strategic initiatives and objectives

Coordinate implementation of projects across multiple plants and supply partners: Follow up on quotes, samples, and status of tasks to ensure projects move forward in a timely manner (eg. drawings, tooling, FAI, approvals, etc)

Assist in the development of bid packages, analyze submissions and form recommendations. Put together summaries for review with Commodity Manager

Communicate with buyers at a local level with information concerning suppliers, prices and/or general inquiries / follow ups

Investigate pricing/invoicing discrepancies to determine corrective actions with Accounts Payables

Work with procurement analyst to maintain accurate, up to date pricing, across multiple ERP systems

Support Commodity Manager in identifying and analyzing cost saving projects and propose recommendations on execution

Alongside the Commodity Manager, interface with cross-functional teams on new product development sourcing strategy and implementation, optimize material selection to maintain lowest cost, predictable availability, and industry leadership in quality

Support Commodity Manager with special projects that could have significant impact on a business segments and/or plants

Responsible for all aspects of strategic and tactical sourcing for commodities as assigned by Commodity Manager, duties include analyzing trends, buying patterns, new market supplier potential, elaborating go-to strategies, and driving procurement optimization, action/initiatives that will result in optimum key performance and cost-reduction results.

Qualifications

Minimum level of education and/or specialization:

Bachelors degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain or commodity management experience.

Preferred: 2 years experience in procurement, strategic sourcing; contract law experience an asset

Specific skills and requirements:

Must be proficient in English (written and spoken)

Strong autonomy and self-motivated

Able to work under pressure in a fast paced, ever-changing environment to meet aggressive deadlines

Attention to details, well organized and able to multi-task

Outstanding analytical, critical thinking skills

Fact based negotiation skills and cross-functional team collaboration

Strong problem-solving skills focused on providing solutions

Ability to communicate complex analysis

Strong work ethic with high degree of flexibility

Demonstrated ability to drive and deliver initiatives

Strong customer service skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships within the organization

Proficient with MS Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint

Personality traits:

High energy, confident manner

Analytical thinker who thrives in a fast paced environment

Natural business acumen

Strong business and personal ethics, reliable and dependable

Strong interpersonal skills (tact, diplomacy, listening and negotiation)

Self-sufficient, inquisitive, self-starter

Leadership traits and capabilities