Commodity Manager

Vybond is a global market leader in pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, delivering innovative solutions to a variety of industrial and specialty markets. Headquartered in Franklin, KY, with an additional facility in Bristol, RI, Vybond Group, Inc. manufactures specialty foil, film, and duct tapes and adhesives. With over 1,500 specialty SKUs spanning 500 product families, Vybond serves 1,500 customers across the HVAC, building and construction, industrial, retail, medical, aerospace, automotive, and other specialty industries. 

Job Summary:

The Commodity Manager is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for assigned raw material, packaging, indirect, or service categories while ensuring supply continuity, cost competitiveness, quality performance, and risk management. This role serves as the primary strategic owner of supplier relationships within assigned categories and works closely with Purchasing Agents, Operations, Sales, Planning, R&D, Quality, and Finance to support Vybond's operational and financial objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Supplier Management

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for assigned commodities and categories.
• Manage the overall supplier relationship strategy, performance, and business needs within assigned categories.
• Establish category roadmaps that support Vybond's operational, growth, inventory, and profitability objectives.
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews to evaluate performance, opportunities, risks, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, rebates, payment terms, and commercial agreements.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities and drive supplier development initiatives where appropriate.

Market Intelligence & Strategic Sourcing

• Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of domestic and international market conditions, cost drivers, raw material trends, technologies, and competitive dynamics.
• Monitor economic, geopolitical, and industry developments that may impact supply continuity or pricing.
• Lead sourcing events, RFQs, supplier evaluations, and supplier selection processes.
• Develop category-specific cost models and benchmarks to support negotiations and sourcing decisions.

Risk Management & Supply Assurance

• Evaluate suppliers based on financial health, capacity, service, quality, regulatory compliance, sustainability, and business continuity capabilities.
• Develop and maintain contingency plans for critical materials and suppliers.
• Partner with Purchasing Agents, Planning, and Operations to proactively address supply constraints and shortages.
• Support supplier corrective action activities related to quality, delivery, or service concerns.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with R&D on new product development and qualification of new materials and suppliers.
• Collaborate with Sales and Operations to align sourcing strategies with customer requirements and growth initiatives.

Cost Savings & Continuous Improvement

• Identify, develop, and execute cost reduction and cost avoidance initiatives.
• Drive value engineering, supplier consolidation, specification optimization, and process improvement programs.

Inventory & Working Capital Management

• Support the establishment of inventory programs, safety stock strategies, vendor-managed inventory initiatives, and other supply chain optimization efforts.
• Ensure sourcing strategies align with Vybond inventory and cash flow goals.

Team Development & Leadership

• Provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to Purchasing Agents and procurement personnel within assigned categories.
• Share market knowledge, negotiation strategies, supplier intelligence, and best practices across the procurement organization.

Additional Responsibilities

• Travel to supplier locations, Vybond facilities, trade shows, and industry events as required. Approximately 10-20%.

• Participate in strategic procurement planning and annual budget activities.

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Engineering, Operations Management, or related discipline required.
• CPSM, CPM, CPIM, CSCP, or other professional certification preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or category management experience.
• Manufacturing procurement experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing raw materials, packaging, chemicals, films, adhesives, paper products, metals, or industrial commodities preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading strategic sourcing projects and supplier negotiations.
• Proven history of delivering measurable cost savings and supplier performance improvements.