Commodity Manager

Under the direction of the Director Supply Chain, the Commodity Manager will assist the division to run more efficiently. In performing the outlined duties, the Commodity Manager will play a critical role in the overall success of the American Bath Group’s fulfillment and business model. The Commodity Manager will positively impact the bottom line, contributing to the organization’s stability and growth, as well as position ABG as the ‘’must have brand ’’ for supply partners. The Commodity Manager will own all aspects of the assigned commodities, will mentor plant buyers and will act as key interface between ABG corporate and strategic supply partners. Finally, the Commodity Manager will be responsible for all aspects of strategic and tactical sourcing and procurement elements of the ABG business, analyze trends, buying patterns, new market supplier potential, elaborate go-to strategies, and drive procurement optimization, action/initiatives that will result in optimum key performance and cost-reduction results.

This is a dynamic, evolving role in which the Commodity Manager will work with other members of the Corporate supply chain team, the buyers and cross-functional teams comprised of R&D, Product Marketing, Plant Operations and Logistics. The Commodity Manager will work intimately with the 36 plants located across North-America that make up the American Bath Group family of brands/companies.

**3. Primary responsibilities**

Develop a supply base to deliver and achieve corporate strategic objectives and performance indicators, including but not limited to quality, cost, flexibility, sustainability and sourcing

Establish and implement commodity strategies to be incorporated in overall corporate procurement and sourcing strategy

Manage commercial relationships with supply partners: supply agreements, business terms and conditions, price negotiations, commitment to purchase, price of non-compliance, value-added services, performance and expectations

Drive supplier performance, contract effectiveness, collaboration and integration. Deliver improved results with key partners.

Conduct supplier workshops to identify annual cost saving opportunities and manage the activities to achieve the established cost reduction goal so as to drive ABG’s competitive position. Organize local and corporate meetings, performance reviews and negotiations with suppliers.

Develop and solicit RFP, analyze submissions and form recommendations, negotiate agreements and develop executive summaries for review with the appropriate executive leadership team members for approval

Provide input for strategic influence and management of spend while directly supporting and building relationship with key stakeholders

Contribute to yearly budget realization at both corporate and local levels

Implement quality and cost improvement programs and ensure alignment on key strategic initiatives and objectives

Risk mitigation: manage ‘’what-if’’ analysis, impact, recommendations and present succinctly to management

Optimize working capital by regularly reviewing buying patterns and stocking programs.

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

Act as resident expert in assigned commodities in regional business matters (ie: local regulations, logistics etc).

Keep current with key political and economic developments as they relate to global commodity markets.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of commodity key drivers, and regular analysis of raw material and freight should-costs to drive stronger more substantiated supplier negotiations and ensure ABG’s price is aligned with the market conditions.

Support special projects with an important potential impact on a business segment or plant.

**4. Professional Skills/Qualifications**

1. Minimum level of education and/or specialization:

- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, Supply Chain or commodity management experience.

Minimum: 3 years experience in procurement, strategic sourcing; contract law experience

2. Specific skills and requirements: (_competencies critical to the incumbent’s success_)
- Must be bilingual (written and spoken French/English): English being primary language of work
- Strong autonomy and self-motivated
- Able to work under pressure in a fast paced, ever changing environment to meet aggressive deadlines
- Attentive to details, well organized and able to multi-task
- Outstanding analytical, critical thinking skills
- Extensive analytical and data management skills
- Fact based negotiation skills and cross-functional team collaboration
- Strong reporting and presentation skills
- Strong problem-solving skills focused on providing solutions
- Ability to communicate complex analysis and ideas in a concise manner
- Strong work ethic wit