Commodity Manager - Professional Services

Commodity Manager – Professional Services

The Commodity Manager – Professional Services leads and manages aspects of the Global Supply Management process for corporate and professional services. This position works to identify and drive productivity within these categories by providing technical proficiency and network with Valmont key stakeholders to build a strong project funnel and support cross-functional teams' key initiatives (Marketing, HR, Legal, Admin, Travel, Benefits, etc.).

Responsible for negotiating costs and terms within professional services categories with suppliers to drive improved costs, mitigate risk and ensure the supply base possesses adequate capacity and capability to support Valmont's current and future requirements.

The Commodity Manager works with corporate teams to identify, participate, and initiate sourcing projects that will achieve cost reduction and deliver competitive advantages through the global sourcing process. The incumbent is also responsible for keeping informed of all significant risks to the supply market and for coordinating activities with the Global Sourcing team.

Essential Functions:

• Reports to Director, Global Indirect and has no direct reports
• Responsible for all matters related to cost of supply for assigned categories. Establish and implement strategies and lead sourcing activities (e-sourcing events, negotiations, data analysis, projects, contract lifecycle management, supplier development and selection, data management, VA/VE, etc.) to optimize costs, working capital, and terms while minimizing financial and operational risk.
• Ensure cost control and adequate services are both present, and appropriate, to support Corporate and greater Valmont. Responsible for supplier performance, capacity, and working with Supplier Quality Development to improve poor performing suppliers. Implement and maintain KPIs to monitor and improve performance of managed supply base. Conduct recurring business reviews with assigned suppliers. Ensure suppliers are compliant with Valmont's supply agreements and requirements.
• Build stakeholder alignment to support initiatives. Identify and develop suppliers to support new product development, and corporate initiatives, as needed/required.
• Provide and apply technical sourcing expertise to all aspects of corporate spend and professional services.
• Experience with large scale service providers in the highlighted category verticals. Ability to manage and drive large enterprise deals.
• Experience with GPOs
• Manage project timelines and associated sourcing related activities to meet on-time project completion
• Implement and drive sourcing strategy, policies, procedures, and enforce compliance with procurement policies for assigned indirect categories and works to increase adoption.
• Provide support for issue resolution between Valmont and suppliers.
• Identify category, contract, and supply risks and develop mitigation plans to address risks.
• Monitor supplier contract compliance.
• Work with internal stakeholders to gather supplier performance data; monitor and identify ways to improve supplier performance.
• Work collaboratively with all stakeholders to seek input and build trust within the organization to optimize overall impact.
• Develop change-management strategies.
• Communicate strategies and solutions to internal stakeholders and suppliers to achieve financial goals and maintain timelines.
• Manage supplier relationships to meet Valmont requirements for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and other business terms.
• Negotiates with suppliers to establish competitive contracts and beneficial agreements.
• Reinforce the company's continuous improvement culture that promotes communication, shared learning, intelligent risk-taking, creative problem solving and accountability for failures and successes.
• Supports and lead supply optimization efforts to include consolidation, dual sourcing, rationalization, etc.
• Requires 20% travel within North America, including overnight stays.

Required Qualifications of Every Candidate:

• Preferred Bachelors with 6+ years relevant experience or Associates Degree with 8+ years relevant experience or 10+ years of relevant…