Commodity Specialist (Direct)

This position will be based out of Byron Center, MI, Hazel Park, MI, Milwaukee, WI, Mayville, WI, or Fond du Lac, WI. As a team member at MEC, you will lead and drive the sourcing process across the organization. You will need to ensure products meet cost, quality, delivery, and specification requirements. The Commodity Specialist Senior will develop and implement long-term sourcing strategies, to obtain optimal value for the enterprise, while building strong supplier relationships.

Commodity Strategy Development and Execution: Develop and implement sound commodity strategies that will bring optimal value to the enterprise. Bring your deep commodity knowledge and market intel on board to ensure best-in-class supply chain management of MEC's critical raw materials and components.
• Negotiation: Apply firm but fair negotiation practices utilizing an organized data-driven approach for optimal results that drive the lowest total landed cost, on-time delivery, all while meeting or exceeding MEC quality standards.
• Total Cost Management: Attain Lean, Continuous Improvement, and cost reduction goals through detailed cost/spend analysis, cost model development and implementation, supplier Kaizen events, or through the use of various other cost management tools.
• Optimize Commodity Execution: Reduce complexity and redundancy by identifying materials as candidates for potential SKU count reduction, identify and execute supply base optimization opportunities, and develop and implement a robust process to ensure continuity with the internal sales team.
• Cross-Functional Commodity Councils: Lead and coordinate activities across all sites to identify and qualify suppliers capable of providing products and services to meet business requirements, ensuring productivity, continuous improvement and negotiated lowest total cost of ownership.
• Commodity Subject Matter Expertise: Lead and participate in team collaboration where Commodity expertise is required. Ensure Commodity strategy is understood, supported and implemented. Monitor supply markets and commodity trending for competitive changes and prepare cost models for respective Commodity.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Be the primary owner of the strategic supply base within given Commodity, creating and leading strategic initiatives, timelines, managing deliverables, and ability to appropriately identify and escalate issues when needed.
• Drive continuous performance and process improvements.
• Perform high-level global Commodity analysis (Full spend and segment spend into sub-Commodity if needed).
• Sourcing Strategy & Negotiation - Develop and implement the commodity sourcing strategy through analysis of global markets, raw materials trends, technology, value chain analysis, and long-term sourcing plans.
• Perform industry research to identify qualified supplier candidates to meet Commodity needs. Benchmark best in class suppliers.
• Perform "Should Cost Analysis" cost models for each Commodity group to fully understand true cost
• Understand type of supplier relationship required, ongoing oversight of supplier relationships with responsibilities for all commercial aspects including negotiations, contracts, partnerships etc.
• Develop plans for partnership relation management for selected supplier
• Communicate and conduct regular reviews and meetings with suppliers, regions, and group personnel at all management levels. Work with suppliers and regional teams to resolve open local issues.
• Travel to various supplier locations to investigate new opportunities, improve manufacturing efficiencies, and resolve any supply chain or quality issues
• Monitor various supplier performance metrics including related value elements, performance trends and risk analysis to ensure Commodity strategy is working and corrective action taken when needed.
• Drive continuous improvement cost reductions through the life of the supplier contracts.
• Review supplier performance in accordance to established metrics. Report monthly results to user groups along with recommendations to correct deficiencies (i.e. own the relationship with the supplier).
• Ensure progress against all metrics to meet or exceed defined goals and objectives.
• Manage, maintain and update all Supplier Agreements
• Evaluates and utilizes E-sourcing tools if appropriate.

Job Skills Requirements

• Seeks information on trends and issues that impact the job.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Uses creative and innovative approaches to find solutions.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Works collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues to accomplish shared goals.
• Knowledge, understanding, and experience with commodities.
• Demonstrated experience leading successful projects.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time to other MEC locations and supplier sites.

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, engineering, manufacturing, or related field, or equivalent experience required.

Experience Requirements

• Six years of experience in Purchasing, Strategic Sourcing, manufacturing operations, or related field required.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Prior experience in a manufacturing environment highly preferred.