Commodity Specialist - Strategic Procurement

Working at Freudenberg: "We will wow your world!" This is our promise. As a global technology group, we not only make the world cleaner, healthier and more comfortable, but also offer our 52,000 employees a networked and diverse environment where everyone can thrive individually. Be surprised and experience your own wow moments.

We at Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies run the business operations of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) in the Americas. Being part of the global Freudenberg Group, our company is a leading producer of advanced sealing technologies for automotive and general industries. Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies is a joint venture between Freudenberg and NOK Corp. in Japan, is headquartered in Plymouth, MI, operates more than 20 facilities and employs about 4,700 people across the Americas.

Some of your Benefits

401K Match: Save for retirement with the company's help.

Health Insurance: Rely on comprehensive services whenever you need it.

Vacation: We offer time off to refresh and recharge.

Paid Holidays: With paid-time off, local holidays are all the way more relaxing.

Personal Development: We offer a variety of trainings to ensure you can develop in your career.

Plymouth, MI

On-Site

Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership

payments $80,000 - $110,000 Compensation for this position will be determined by the candidate's qualifications, experience, education, and overall alignment with the role's responsibilities.

You support our team as

Commodity Specialist - Strategic Procurement

Responsibilities

• Own commercial strategy and supplier management for assigned direct material commodities, with a focus on polymers and elastomers.
• Build and execute market analysis and commodity strategies, including supply base development and optimization.
• Develop raw material forecasts using complex datasets and feedstock market intelligence.
• Lead total cost management across the supply chain while aligning to divisional business objectives.
• Drive material risk mitigation strategies to address supply continuity, pricing volatility, and supplier performance.
• Negotiate and execute supplier agreements, including contracts and NDAs, ensuring compliance with company standards.
• Partner cross-functionally and globally with R&D, material technology, and operations to align sourcing with innovation and business needs.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• 5 years of experience in Purchasing or Supply Chain Management.
• Proven experience in commodity purchasing, preferably within automotive and polymers/elastomers.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence commercial outcomes.
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving capability and ability to interpret market and cost drivers.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, QAD, or similar, and familiarity with supplier portals.
• Strong communication skills, executive presence, and a collaborative, high-energy, team-oriented approach.
  
  

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.