Sales Support Specialist

The Regional Commodity Manager is responsible for managing supplier relationships and developing regional strategies across specific commodities to achieve the best value for Tenneco. This person will lead regional cross-functional commodity teams to implement strategies, and communicate with other regional commodity groups (4-6) of commodity buyers, located in different locations and regions, working in related commodities.

• Develop in-depth commodity expertise, implement regional commodity strategies for area of responsibility.
• Manage commodity savings and strategies for areas of responsibility.
• Scope is the NA region and responsibility is across business units
• Drive activity to identify and source best cost suppliers within the NA region.
• Prepare, present and negotiate proposals and long term commercial agreements in collaboration with exec. /commodity director.
• Drive improvement in BOS metrics (quality, delivery, service and cost) for specific commodities.
• Champion cross-functional VA/VE and TVM activity between Tenneco and suppliers.
• Ensure team and suppliers comply with Global & Regional Purchasing policies and procedures.
• Negotiate regional and global contracts.
• Leads by example in terms of focus on detail, execution of tasks and professional interaction with both internal and external contacts.
• Ability to analyze and define need for action and drive accountability with regard to supplier launch.
• Aggressively pursues objectives and tasks.
• Drive cross functional team to achieve company VA/VE targets & initiatives
• Responsible to ensure buyers achieve commercial and timing objectives
• Responsible to ensure team aligned with department and corporate goals, objectives and values.
• Explore and exploit opportunities within the supply base to support Tenneco business objectives.
• Ability to assess issues and develop action plans to bring quick and effective resolution.
• Special projects as assigned by Global Purchasing leadership
• Travel Requirements: 25%

• Bachelor Science in Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Logistics or technical discipline
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a Purchasing environment in Automotive
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in managing Direct Materials Commodity; such as steel, plastics, cold forming, stamping, etc.

• Master degree in business technical discipline
• Automotive experience
• Leadership capabilities over cross-functional teams, strong managerial skills.
• Corporate SCM experience with regional NA supply industry knowledge desired
• Develop & manage partnerships with new & existing suppliers
• Demonstrate knowledge of supplier assessment & risk management techniques with consideration for corporate financial goals, quality, cost, and service and delivery targets.
• Good coaching skills and able to make decisions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent negotiation skills and proven success working under pressure driving projects to closure.
• Experience with contracts & legally binding agreements
• Strong ability to analyze financial and technical data.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Familiarity with drawings, specifications, materials and manufacturing processes.
• Language skills:
  Spanish is an asset.