Global Commodity Manager

Job Description:

Global Commodity Manager

Location: Chotěboř, Czech Republic

ESAB is a global leader in welding and cutting technologies. Within our GCE Division, Global Sourcing plays a key role in building a competitive, resilient, and high-performing global supply base. The team works across businesses and plants worldwide, partnering with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain.

We are looking for an experienced Global Commodity Manager to lead sourcing strategy and supplier management for an assigned global commodity portfolio. You will develop commodity strategies, manage a worldwide supplier base, and coordinate sourcing activities across GCE businesses and plants, driving cost competitiveness, supplier performance, quality, and supply chain resilience.

Commodity portfolio: precision components and seals, gauges and instrumentation, hoses and welding accessories, regulated medical devices and trade goods, and externally manufactured finished products.

International travel: Regular international travel, approximately 20–25%, including supplier visits and audits.

Your responsibilities

• Develop and execute global commodity strategies, ensuring competitiveness and alignment across GCE businesses and plants.
• Identify, qualify, and develop global suppliers; lead RFQs, tenders, negotiations, and supplier selection.
• Lead commercial and contract negotiations to secure competitive pricing, terms, and conditions.
• Manage supplier performance across quality, delivery, lead times, and commercial performance, driving corrective actions where required.
• Drive cost optimization through spend analysis, benchmarking, supplier consolidation, global sourcing, and value engineering, while owning defined savings/PPV targets and managing supplier and standard prices.
• Partner with Quality and Regulatory teams on regulated and CE-marked products, including those managed under MDR and MDD.
• Support operational teams with supplier escalations, quality issues, and transfer projects.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks and develop alternative sourcing and contingency plans.
• Build strong internal stakeholder relationships and align sourcing activities with business requirements.
• Monitor and report sourcing KPIs, savings, supplier performance, and market developments to sourcing leadership.
• Conduct regular international travel for supplier visits, audits, and business meetings.

Your profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, commodity/category management, or procurement, preferably in manufacturing.
• Proven experience managing global suppliers and sourcing across multiple sites or businesses.
• Strong experience in supplier management, sourcing strategy, RFQs/tenders, and contract negotiation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including spend analysis, benchmarking, cost optimization, and demonstrated savings/PPV ownership.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, stakeholder management, and project management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a global, cross-functional environment.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Czech.

What we look for

• Strategic, self-driven, and action-oriented.
• Strong problem solver, comfortable with ambiguity and complex situations.
• Skilled at building relationships and credible with senior stakeholders.
• High standards of ethics and integrity.
• Open-minded and willing to challenge the status quo.

Advantageous (Merits)

• Technical background in mechanical, electronics, or electrical engineering.
• Experience with regulated or CE-marked / medical-device products.
• Knowledge of MDR/MDD, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, or FDA requirements.
• Experience with ERP, e-sourcing, or supplier-management systems such as M3, PPS040, or Open One.
• Knowledge of an additional language.

What we offer

• A global role with direct impact on sourcing strategy and business performance.
• The opportunity to manage and develop an international supplier network.
• Close collaboration across GCE businesses, plants, and functions.
• A dynamic environment where you can drive cost, quality, and supply chain improvements.
• Professional development within a global organization.
• Hybrid working with flexible hours to support collaboration across global teams.

If you are passionate about strategic sourcing, supplier development, and building competitive global supply chains, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV in English.