Commodity Manager - Custom Fabrication & Indirect Materials

The Commodity Manager for Custom Components, Fabrications, and Indirect Materials is responsible for owning the global sourcing strategy, supplier development, and commercial management for CLIENT ISS's precision-manufactured and indirect commodity portfolio. This scope encompasses custom machined components, sheet metal fabrications, injection-molded and precision plastics, castings and forgings, specialty materials, and off-the-shelf (OTS) standard hardware—as well as indirect procurement categories including MRO, laboratory consumables, production supplies, and services. This individual manages technically demanding supply chains that require the ability to interpret engineering drawings and GD&T specifications, evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities, and drive rigorous supplier qualification and performance management for custom-fabricated parts that are directly incorporated into CLIENT's precision measurement instruments. The role demands a technically grounded sourcing professional who combines deep knowledge of precision manufacturing processes with world-class commercial sourcing skills—someone who can build strong supplier partnerships, drive continuous cost improvement, and maintain the supply continuity and quality standards required for a global instrumentation business.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Category Strategy & Commodity Management

• Own the global commodity strategy for custom-fabricated components (machined parts, sheet metal, plastics, castings), specialty materials, off-the-shelf standard hardware, and indirect/MRO categories—developing and executing sourcing roadmaps that address manufacturing process capability alignment, geographic supply strategy, cost competitiveness, supply risk, and quality standards.
• Maintain expert knowledge of precision manufacturing processes relevant to CLIENT's product portfolio: CNC machining (turning, milling, EDM, grinding), sheet metal fabrication (laser cutting, stamping, bending, welding), injection molding and precision plastic fabrication, investment casting and die casting, and surface treatment and finishing processes (plating, anodizing, coating, passivation).
• Build and maintain should-cost models for key custom fabricated components, using cost driver analysis (material content, machine time, setup, tooling, finishing) to establish credible negotiation positions and validate supplier pricing against market benchmarks.
• Develop and execute annual cost reduction targets for assigned commodity categories through competitive sourcing events, design-to-cost collaboration with Engineering, supplier efficiency improvement programs, and low-cost region sourcing where quality and supply continuity requirements can be met.
• Manage the OTS (off-the-shelf) and standard hardware portfolio through preferred distributor programs, blanket order agreements, and catalog standardization initiatives—reducing tail spend complexity and driving volume consolidation.

Supplier Selection, Qualification & Development

• Lead supplier identification, technical capability assessment, RFQ/RFP execution, and commercial evaluation for custom fabricated component sources—assessing supplier manufacturing process capability, quality systems, capacity, financial stability, and technology roadmap alignment.
• Manage supplier qualification for new and alternate sources, coordinating with Quality Engineering on first article inspection (FAI), dimensional inspection reports, material certifications, and process qualification requirements—ensuring supplier capability is validated before production release.
• Conduct supplier capability audits, evaluating manufacturing process controls, quality management systems (ISO 9001, as applicable), measurement system adequacy, and supply chain risk management practices at supplier facilities.
• Build dual-source and multi-source strategies for sole-sourced critical custom components—engaging Engineering for drawing and specification review, qualifying alternate suppliers, and managing production transitions with appropriate validation steps.
• Develop supplier capability improvement programs for strategic custom fabrication partners—

Contract Negotiation & Commercial Management

• Negotiate and execute supply agreements, tooling agreements, long-term pricing schedules, and blanket purchase orders with custom fabrication and indirect suppliers, securing competitive pricing, favorable tooling ownership provisions, lead time commitments, and quality/warranty terms.
• Manage tooling ownership and asset tracking for CLIENT-owned production tooling (molds, fixtures, dies, jigs) at supplier facilities—establishing tooling maintenance schedules, insurance requirements, and portability provisions in supply agreements.
• Execute competitive re-sourcing events on a defined cycle for strategic custom fabricated components, using market benchmarking and multi-supplier competition to validate commercial competitiveness and drive cost reduction.

Technical & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Engage with Engineering at the New Product Introduction (NPI) stage as the procurement expert for custom fabricated components—providing design for manufacturability (DFM) input, supplier capability guidance, lead time and cost feasibility assessment, and sourcing strategy recommendation prior to design release.
• Partner with Quality Engineering on supplier corrective action (SCAR/8D) management, root cause analysis for dimensional, material, or process non-conformances, and implementation of systemic corrective actions at supplier facilities.
• Collaborate with Engineering on engineering change orders (ECOs) affecting custom fabricated components—assessing supply chain impact, managing drawing and specification updates with suppliers, coordinating re-qualification activities, and managing inventory transition of existing stock.
• Interpret engineering drawings, GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) callouts, material specifications, surface finish requirements, and engineering notes to engage effectively with suppliers and evaluate fabrication capability and quotation accuracy.

MRO & Indirect Procurement

• Manage the MRO and indirect procurement portfolio—establishing preferred supplier agreements for production consumables, maintenance supplies, lab materials, tooling, safety supplies, and facility services.

SAP & Systems Management

• Maintain SAP MM procurement master data for custom component and indirect commodity categories: info records, source lists, outline agreements, vendor master data, and material master data—ensuring accuracy and completeness for operational buyer execution.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor's degree required in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field. Engineering background is strongly preferred given the technical depth required to interpret drawings, assess manufacturing process capability, and engage credibly with design and quality engineers.
• MBA or Master's in Supply Chain preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 8-10 years of commodity management or strategic sourcing experience with a primary focus on custom precision-fabricated components—machined parts, sheet metal, plastics, castings, or comparable manufactured materials in a high-technology environment.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating precision manufacturing supplier capabilities, managing tooling ownership, and qualifying custom fabricated component sources with formal FAI/first article qualification protocols.
• Industry experience in semiconductor equipment, precision instruments, vacuum technology, analytical instrumentation, medical devices, aerospace/defense, or industrial automation strongly preferred.

Technical & Functional Skills

• Precision Manufacturing Process Knowledge (Required): Deep, applied knowledge of custom precision manufacturing processes—CNC machining (turning, milling, grinding, EDM, wire EDM), sheet metal fabrication (laser cutting, stamping, bending, welding), injection molding, investment casting, and finishing processes (anodizing, plating, passivation, coating). Ability to assess supplier manufacturing capability, evaluate process limitations, and identify cost reduction opportunities through process optimization.
• Engineering Drawing Interpretation (Required): Ability to read and interpret mechanical engineering drawings, GD&T callouts (per ASME Y14.5), material and finish specifications, and assembly drawings to evaluate supplier quotations and assess supplier capability to meet design intent.
• Supplier Quality Systems: Familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, and/or ISO 13485 quality management system requirements and their application in precision fabrication supply chains. Experience with first article inspection (FAI) protocols, dimensional inspection reports, material certifications (MTRs), and supplier process auditing.
• Should-Cost Modeling: A
• SAP MM (Required): Proficient hands-on experience in SAP MM procurement processes—RFQ management, PO creation and maintenance, info records, outline agreements, source lists, tooling/asset tracking, and vendor master management.
• GD&T Proficiency:
• Tooling Management: Experience managing production tooling (injection molds, stamping dies, casting dies, fixtures) owned by the buying company but located at supplier facilities—including tooling tracking, maintenance agreements, and portability provisions.
• Analytics: Advanced Excel; Power BI or Tableau for spend analytics, supplier performance tracking, and QBR preparation.

Certifications (Preferred)

• ISM CPSM or CPM.
• ASQ CQE (Certified Quality Engineer) or equivalent quality certification a plus.
• APICS CSCP or CPIM.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent.