What are the responsibilities and job description for the Global Commodity Manager - Steel Structures position at FORTNA?
FORTNA partners with the world’s leading brands to transform omnichannel and parcel distribution operations. Known world-wide for enabling companies to keep pace with digital disruption and growth objectives, we design and deliver solutions, powered by intelligent software, to optimize fast, accurate and cost-effective order fulfillment and last mile delivery. Our people, innovative approach and proprietary algorithms and tools ensure optimal operations design and material and information flow. We deliver exceptional value every day to our customers with comprehensive services and products including network strategy, distribution center operational design and implementation, material handling automated equipment, robotics and a comprehensive suite of lifecycle services.
At FORTNA, we believe in fostering a workplace that isn't just a job but a movement – a collective effort to redefine success and transform challenges into opportunities. "Join the Movement" encapsulates our commitment to a workplace culture that thrives on collaboration, celebrates diversity, and empowers every individual to contribute to something greater than themselves. Our Team. Our Passion. Our Approach.
About Fortna
Fortna partners with the world’s leading parcel, distribution, and fulfillment companies to transform their operations into competitive advantages. We design, engineer, and implement automated material handling and distribution systems for high‑volume businesses. Leveraging deep expertise and innovation, we deliver solutions that drive operational excellence and measurable results.
Position Summary
The Global Category Manager (GCM) – Steel Structures owns the strategic sourcing and management of steel structural systems and chute systems used in Fortna’s automated distribution solutions. Scope includes mezzanines, platforms, hangar steel, support structures, fabricated chutes, and related assemblies. The GCM develops and executes category strategies, selects and develops suppliers, manages commercial agreements, and ensures supply capacity aligns with Fortna’s project pipeline. The role partners closely with Engineering, Sales, Estimating, and Procurement through design, bid, and pre‑execution phases, defines the procurement playbook, trains buyers, and serves as escalation for systemic supplier issues.
Key Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Planning
Required
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.
At FORTNA, we believe in fostering a workplace that isn't just a job but a movement – a collective effort to redefine success and transform challenges into opportunities. "Join the Movement" encapsulates our commitment to a workplace culture that thrives on collaboration, celebrates diversity, and empowers every individual to contribute to something greater than themselves. Our Team. Our Passion. Our Approach.
About Fortna
Fortna partners with the world’s leading parcel, distribution, and fulfillment companies to transform their operations into competitive advantages. We design, engineer, and implement automated material handling and distribution systems for high‑volume businesses. Leveraging deep expertise and innovation, we deliver solutions that drive operational excellence and measurable results.
Position Summary
The Global Category Manager (GCM) – Steel Structures owns the strategic sourcing and management of steel structural systems and chute systems used in Fortna’s automated distribution solutions. Scope includes mezzanines, platforms, hangar steel, support structures, fabricated chutes, and related assemblies. The GCM develops and executes category strategies, selects and develops suppliers, manages commercial agreements, and ensures supply capacity aligns with Fortna’s project pipeline. The role partners closely with Engineering, Sales, Estimating, and Procurement through design, bid, and pre‑execution phases, defines the procurement playbook, trains buyers, and serves as escalation for systemic supplier issues.
Key Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Planning
- Develop and maintain a global category strategy for steel structures and chutes aligned to business objectives, pipeline, and cost targets.
- Analyze spend, market trends, and supplier capabilities to identify savings, innovation, and risk mitigation.
- Define supplier segmentation and capacity plans for current and future volumes.
- Monitor and leverage steel and coating indices to mitigate price volatility.
- Identify, qualify, and contract with strategic suppliers (e.g., Steel King, Steele Solutions, Wildeck, Talos, Tiffin, CLR).
- Lead RFPs/RFQs; negotiate commercial terms and annual agreements.
- Establish and manage MSAs, NDAs, and SOWs.
- Drive performance via KPIs, scorecards, and QBRs; foster supplier innovation and capacity.
- Partner with Engineering to review drawings/specs, load requirements, and design criteria.
- Liaise during supplier design submissions and bid phases to ensure compliance to technical and quality standards.
- Work with Sales/Estimating for supplier readiness, quoting, and capacity commitments.
- Influence design‑for‑cost and value‑engineering opportunities.
- Apply knowledge of steel fabrication, welding, coating, and structural design to assess proposals and resolve quality issues.
- Assess weld quality using AWS standards (CWI a plus).
- Inspect coating quality for liquid/powder coatings (NACE/AMPP or SSPC CIP a plus).
- Define procurement processes, negotiation guidelines, and sourcing playbooks for project delivery.
- Train procurement teams on category‑specific strategies and technical considerations.
- Act as escalation point for strategic supplier issues impacting multiple projects.
Required
- Bachelor’s in Supply Chain, Business, or related; Engineering degree strongly preferred.
- 7 years in strategic sourcing/category or supply chain management in a project‑based, engineer‑to‑order environment.
- Strong understanding of steel structures and chute systems (platforms, mezzanines, hangar steel, fabricated chutes).
- Experience with raw materials sourcing, fabrication/manufacturing, and industrial coatings.
- Ability to read/interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
- Negotiation, contract management, and supplier development expertise.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement.
- Material handling automation, construction, or industrial steel fabrication experience.
- AWS CWI certification.
- NACE/AMPP or SSPC Level 2 CIP certification.
- Familiarity with structural load requirements/design criteria/manufacturing methods.
- Experience managing multi‑regional/global suppliers.
- Be part of an industry leader in supply chain automation.
- Influence multi‑million‑dollar sourcing strategies with global impact.
- Collaborate with top suppliers and industry experts.
- Competitive compensation, relocation assistance, and professional development opportunities.
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.
Salary : $100,700 - $151,100
