Global Commodity Manager

This is a great opportunity to join us as a Global Commodity Manager in our Global Business Center in Bucharest.

In this role you will direct and control the material purchasing efforts of the Commodity, manage commodity supply base to achieve corporate objectives on supplier rationalization, cost, quality, and delivery performance, develop and execute global/regional commodity strategy, oversee the sourcing and contract negotiation process and provide support to cross functions, plants and direct reports.

The Global Commodity Manager will direct and control the commodity (of his responsibility) direct material purchasing efforts of the Braking business associated with 11 manufacturing sites and an annual spend in excess of $200M.  Position supervises 6 direct reports. As the Braking business unit (BU) purchasing expert, you will understand and effectively communicate global business trends and drivers and commodity needs and trends for the BU. Lead BU team to execute and define commodity strategies that achieve corporate, purchasing & BU objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• As BU commodity purchasing expert, interpret and communicate global business trends, commodity needs and drivers, including technological and business footprints
• Drive supply base rationalization, development & spend management/segmentation for: geographic considerations, Best Cost Country (BCC)/ BU/plant-specific need new technologies, marketing/product strategies and cost management goals
• Support BU strategy meetings in the respective commodity areas
• Balance financial objectives across BU and Commodity scope, as necessary
• Drive the business plan, forecast and strategic plan
• Serve as check point for Plan development, forecasts and reconciliation
• Require recovery mechanisms for cost drivers when necessary
• Drive direct materials Purchasing metrics cross-functionally within the BU
• Escalate unresolved strategic conflicts within and between BU and direct materials Commodity
• As Supplier Relationship Escalation Manager support and direct the development of Supplier Partnerships/Strategic alliances as necessary to support and enhance commodities strategies in the field of direct materials
• Serve as pre-escalation point before Director level for resolution of direct materials supplier relationship issues on BU level
• Understand key Suppliers for each direct materials commodity within BU – preferred & developmental, fostering supplier executive relationships where applicable and alligned with or in support of Commodity Strategy
• Provide cross-functional support within BU including Engineering, Operations, Logistics, HR
• Negotiate and support all direct purchasing opportunities (future & current) to create the highest leverage across commodities within the BU
• Set, communicate and measure goals and objectives for direct materials Purchasing BU team
• Ensure team objectives support/enhance Tenneco corporate objectives
• Use goals/objectives to balance for direct materials purchasing BU team
• Remove roadblocks/resolve issues within direct materials purchasing BU that impede achievement of team objectives
• Facilitate corporate communication/requirements in the area of direct materials as appropriate
• Ensure commodity strategies incorporate Advanced Technology knowledge to help set direction technological roadmaps
• Define and execute skill sets to achieve Purchasing goals and objectives
• Balance resources to accommodate plant-specific and geographical commodity requirements.
• Execute HR responsibilities as required (performance reviews, personnel issues, training, etc.).
• Travel to suppliers and other Tenneco facilities as required for this position
• The authority to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of non-conformities relating to the product, process and quality system and the authority to stop further work on non-conforming suspect product until the deficiency or conditions have been corrected
• Capable of providing support as requested by supervisor

What will make you successful

• Bachelors Degree in Business / Materials Management or Logistics required
• Minimum of 3-5 years experience in Purchasing/Procurement and/or a Materials Management related field with a preference towards high volume manufacturing related industries
• Strong, demonstrated background and proven experience with high level supplier negotiations and materials management.
• Possess ability to assess supply market trends and characteristics
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, persuasive, leadership and negotiation skills
• Ability to work across a variety of cultures and mindsets in a team environment across all corporate functions: engineering, marketing, purchasing, production
• Strong understanding of the key success factors of efficient global supply chain management
• Lean thinking mindset, desirably extra focus on improving production, logistic, etc. processes
• Self-motivated, result driven, able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• A system thinker able to understand and respond to the broad needs of internal customers
• Solid analytical skills (including cost structure analysis), innovative thinking with excellent follow-up and attention to detail
• Good legal awareness, ability to negotiate contracts
• Proficiency in spoken and written English, proficiency in other  languages a plus
• Computer literate (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), knowing SAP is an additional asset

What we offer

We want to make you feel welcomed, challenged and inspired and so we’ve made sure to carefully put together a blend of benefits meant to boost your health and well-being, to ensure your personal and professional growth and also your integration in a pleasant day-to-day working environment.

What you can expect next

Our team is ready to act immediately on those candidates who are the best fit for the role. You’ll first hear from someone in Talent Acquisition to schedule a phone screen, and then the next step will be a personal interview with our Hiring Manager. We pride ourselves on moving through processes quickly, and you can be sure of transparency and prompt communication throughout.

We are committed to the safety and health of our employees. We adhere to social distancing recommendations and other protocols, ensuring a safe work environment for all.