Commodity Manager

Primary Function:

The Commodity Manager is accountable for the end‑to‑end strategic management of assigned commodities, including category strategy development, supplier portfolio optimization, cost and value creation, risk management, and supply continuity. This role owns the long‑term performance of the commodity and acts as the primary commercial interface between the business and the supply market.

The Commodity Manager drives enterprise value through market intelligence, should‑cost modeling, negotiation leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and disciplined execution of category strategies aligned with business objectives.

Commodity & Category Strategy

• Own, develop, and continuously refine multi‑year commodity strategies aligned to business goals, supply market dynamics, and product roadmaps
• Lead data‑driven opportunity assessments (cost, risk, service, innovation) and convert findings into executable sourcing and value‑creation initiatives
• Establish and maintain category playbooks, sourcing plans, and governance models

Value Creation & Cost Management

• Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization through should‑cost models, cost breakdowns, demand aggregation, and commercial strategies
• Lead strategic negotiations for complex, high‑value agreements including pricing, capacity, risk sharing, and long‑term partnerships
• Identify and execute productivity, cost‑reduction, and working‑capital initiatives

Supplier Portfolio Management

• Segment, select, and manage suppliers based on capability, risk, cost, performance, and strategic fit
• Lead supplier relationship management (SRM), including performance reviews, corrective action plans, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Partner with suppliers to drive innovation, process improvement, and long‑term value

Market Intelligence & Risk Management

• Monitor supply market trends, cost drivers, geopolitical risks, and capacity constraints affecting assigned commodities
• Proactively assess supply risk and develop mitigation and contingency plans
• Serve as the subject‑matter expert for the commodity, advising leadership on market conditions and outlooks

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Program teams to align technical, commercial, and operational requirements
• Capture voice‑of‑customer and internal stakeholder input to inform sourcing strategies and contract structures
• Influence without authority and lead decision‑making across functions

Execution & Governance

• Ensure disciplined execution of sourcing strategies and contracts
• Own escalation and resolution of critical supply issues, leading root cause analysis and systemic fixes
• Monitor KPIs and supplier performance metrics to ensure delivery against cost, quality, delivery, and risk targets

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business or engineering required
• 8 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or commodity management
• Demonstrated success developing and executing category strategies with measurable financial and operational impact
• Strong expertise in commercial negotiations, contracting, and supplier economics
• Proven ability to drive cross‑functional alignment and influence senior stakeholders
• Advanced proficiency with ERP systems (Oracle preferred), procurement platforms, and analytics tools (Excel, Power BI)
• Strong business acumen, leadership presence, and ownership mindset

About the Company:

Bradford White is a full-line manufacturer of residential, commercial, and industrial water heating, space heating, combination heating, and storage products. Our corporate headquarters is located in Ambler, PA, and we have manufacturing facilities in Middleville and Niles, MI; Monticello, MN; Uxbridge, MA; Rochester, NH; and Princeton and Madison, WI. Our business unit, FloLogic's, assembly operation is in Morrisville, NC and our Canadian headquarters, distribution center and training facilities are located in Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada.

Throughout a proud legacy dating back to 1881, Bradford White Corporation has built a reputation for manufacturing high-quality, high-performance, technologically advanced, and energy-efficient products for the global market. While many companies have shifted production overseas, we remain committed to investing in American manufacturing and craftsmanship. Our company was founded on the pillar of supporting the professionals who install and service our products every day. That’s why our water heaters are available exclusively through the wholesale distribution channel and are designed for professional installation only.

Our essential products continue to support the health, safety, sanitation, and infrastructure of communities and we are a proud five-time recipient of the EnergyStar Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award. We are committed to meeting the evolving needs of our customers by continuing to design, engineer and manufacture products that are Built to be the Best®.

To learn more about Bradford White’s rich history, click here: Timeline - Bradford White Corporation