Commodity Manager

Safety First. Excellence. Pride. Integrity. Compassion. Trust. Are you ready to plant your career in a place where words like these serve as the foundation for doing business every day? At Michigan Sugar, our purpose is Making Life Sweeter, and our mission is Creating Growth and Opportunity.

Michigan Sugar Company has an immediate, full-time opportunity for a Commodity Manager, located at the Corporate Office, 122 Uptown Drive, Suite 300, Bay City, MI 48708.

JOB SUMMARY

The Commodity Manager at Michigan Sugar is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for assigned commodities to support the company's manufacturing operations. This role ensures reliable supply, competitive cost, and quality standards by managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and driving continuous improvement across the supply base.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and implement commodity strategies that align with business objectives, ensuring cost competitiveness, quality, and supply continuity.

Analyze market trends, cost drivers, and risks to optimize sourcing decisions.

Identify, qualify, and manage suppliers to ensure performance, compliance, and innovation.

Negotiate contracts, pricing, and long-term agreements with suppliers to deliver cost savings and value-added services.

Partner with Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams to support new product introductions and continuous improvement initiatives.

Monitor supplier performance metrics (on-time delivery, quality, cost, responsiveness) and implement corrective actions as needed.

Drive risk management plans, including dual sourcing and inventory strategies.

Lead cross-functional teams to resolve supply chain issues and improve efficiency.

Maintain accurate documentation of sourcing activities, contracts, and compliance requirements.

Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business, Engineering, or related field.

10+ years of sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management experience in a manufacturing environment.

Strong negotiation and contract management skills.

Knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials (e.g., metals, plastics, electronics), and global sourcing practices.

Analytical mindset with proficiency in cost analysis, market research, and ERP systems.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Ability to act independently to determine methods and procedures on new assignments.

Flexibility to respond consistently with a high degree of initiative to resolve issues or complex problems that may arise.

Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly with a strong attention to details.

Demonstrate excellence in oral and written communication.

Efficient organization and time management skills.

Strategic thinking.

Continuous improvement mindset.

Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

A courteous and professional demeanor.

Ability to maintain positive company image and brand. Provide model behaviors to demonstrate corporate values.

Ability to work well under pressure.

Intermediate to advanced computer skills. Working knowledge of Microsoft office software programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and ERP systems (Oracle, SAP, People Soft, etc.)

Demonstrate ethics and integrity, display drive and purpose, demonstrate capability to learn, managing self, increasing self-awareness.

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this position. The above statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills that may be required. All staff may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities as needed.

Michigan Sugar Company offers competitive market wages for both hourly and salaried employees, opportunity for professional growth and development, and comprehensive benefit packages that may include medical, dental, 401(k) and paid time off. To learn more visit

Michigan Sugar Company was founded in 1906 when six smaller sugar companies merged their operations. In 2002, Michigan Sugar Company became a grower-owned cooperative and in 2004, it merged with Monitor Sugar Company to form the company that exists today.

Michigan Sugar Company is headquartered in Bay City and has sugar beet processing facilities in Bay City, Caro, Croswell and Sebewaing. Its nearly 900 grower-owners plant and harvest up to 140,000 acres of sugar beets each year in 17 Michigan counties, as well as Ontario, Canada. Those beets are sliced at the factories and turned into about 1.3 billion pounds of sugar annually.

That sugar is sold to industrial, commercial, and retail customers under the Pioneer and Big Chief brands.

Michigan Sugar Company has approximately 1,000 year-round employees and an additional 1,100 seasonal workers. It is the No. 1 employer in Huron County, the No. 2 employer in Bay and Sanilac counties and the No. 3 employer in Tuscola County. The company's annual payroll is more than $90 million and its annual local economic impact is about $700 million.

Michigan Sugar Company is the third largest of eight sugar beet processing companies in the United States and Michigan is one of 11 states where sugar beets are grown in the country.

Michigan Sugar Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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