Global Commodity Manager

Position Summary

The Global Commodity Manager (GCM) – Electrical is responsible for developing and executing global sourcing strategies for electrical and electromechanical commodities that support FORTNA's automation and material handling solutions.

This role serves as the enterprise expert for assigned categories and partners closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Project Delivery, Operations, Estimating, and Executive Leadership to optimize supplier performance, reduce total cost, mitigate risk, and ensure long-term supply continuity.

The ideal candidate combines strong strategic sourcing expertise with experience managing electrical, controls, automation, or electromechanical components in engineered manufacturing environments.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Category Management

• Develop and execute global commodity strategies aligned with business objectives, growth forecasts, and project pipeline demands.

• Analyze market conditions including component availability, technology trends, supplier capacity, lead-time risks, geopolitical factors, and global supply chain dynamics.

• Build and maintain multi-year sourcing, cost reduction, supplier development, and risk mitigation strategies across assigned electrical categories.

• Establish category roadmaps focused on cost competitiveness, supply continuity, innovation, supplier performance, and operational scalability.

• Monitor market intelligence, supplier financial health, and industry trends to proactively manage commercial risk and sourcing opportunities.

Supplier Management & Development

• Identify, qualify, develop, and manage strategic suppliers supporting electrical and electromechanical commodities.

• Conduct supplier performance reviews focused on quality, delivery, responsiveness, cost competitiveness, and technical capability.

• Lead supplier development initiatives that improve capacity, quality systems, operational performance, and long-term partnership value.

• Develop dual-source, regional-source, and contingency strategies to reduce supply chain risk and improve business continuity.

• Collaborate with suppliers to support innovation, standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Commercial Leadership

• Lead RFQ, RFP, supplier selection, and contract negotiation activities across assigned commodity categories.

• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, long-term agreements, inventory strategies, and service-level expectations.

• Drive cost reduction, value engineering, should-cost analysis, and total cost of ownership (TCO) initiatives.

• Support new product introductions, customer projects, and engineer-to-order requirements through proactive supplier engagement.

• Ensure sourcing decisions balance cost, quality, delivery, technical requirements, and long-term business objectives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Project Delivery, and Estimating teams.

• Influence design-for-cost, component standardization, and sourcing decisions during product development and project execution.

• Align sourcing strategies with engineering requirements, customer commitments, and operational priorities.

• Support supplier technical reviews, capability assessments, and qualification activities.

• Provide market intelligence and supplier insights to support strategic decision-making across the organization.

Supply Chain Risk Management

• Monitor supplier performance, capacity constraints, lead-time fluctuations, and emerging market risks.

• Develop and execute mitigation plans for constrained components, sole-source suppliers, and supply disruptions.

• Support business continuity planning through proactive supplier and category risk assessments.

• Lead escalation management and recovery efforts for critical supply issues impacting projects or operations.

• Maintain visibility into global supply chain trends and recommend actions to improve resilience and supply assurance.

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field.

• 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, commodity management, or category management.

• Experience sourcing electrical, electromechanical, automation, controls, or industrial manufacturing commodities.

• Proven success leading supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.

• Experience working in engineered manufacturing, OEM, automation, industrial equipment, or project-based environments.

• Strong analytical, financial, and supplier management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience sourcing motors, sensors, controls, field devices, drives, cables, or electrical assemblies.

• Experience supporting automation, material handling, robotics, or industrial equipment industries.

• Global sourcing and supplier development experience.

• Engineering background or demonstrated technical aptitude.

• Experience with SAP, Oracle, or other ERP systems.

• CPSM, APICS, ISM, or equivalent certifications.

Functional Expectations

• Operates with a high degree of autonomy and strategic ownership.

• Recognized as a subject matter expert in assigned commodity markets and supply dynamics.

• Drives measurable enterprise impact across cost, risk reduction, supplier performance, innovation, and capacity planning.

• Influences product design, sourcing strategy, supplier landscape, and long-term business direction.

• Balances technical, operational, and commercial priorities in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

The base salary range for this role is $115,900 to $173,800.  This base salary range represents the low and high end of the base salary range for this position. Actual base salary offered will vary based on various factors including but not limited to location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and performance.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected of a person assigned to this position. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor.

It is the policy of FORTNA and its affiliated companies to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, citizenship status (if authorized to work in the U.S.), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, FORTNA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.