Springs Window Fashions has been part of the window treatments industry since 1939. Headquartered in Middleton WI, we have over 8,000 associates and 18 locations worldwide.  Our products are available in nearly every major retailer, in thousands of designer showrooms and showcased in large commercial buildings.  Our company is privately owned with products marketed across a broad portfolio of brands including Bali, Graber, SunSetter and Mecho.  We pride ourselves as “The Best Experience Company”, striving to provide the best experience for our consumers, channel partners, and associates.

Mission

This position manages commodities for direct material in support of Springs Window Fashions operations, specifically metals, chemicals, packaging and fastener components and reports into the Executive Director of Global Procurement, supporting an annual spend of more than $100M. One of the key parts of this role is to identify and engage with engineering, operations, marketing, sales and quality to understand commodity requirements and ensure supply base is aligned. This position is responsible for development and execution of commodity strategy, for delivering commodity driven cost downs through price negotiations, value analysis (VA/VE) or supplier continuous improvement projects, and will conduct or support negotiations and supplier selection.   The Global Commodity Manager supports Supplier Relationship Management and will facilitate and lead supplier commodity reviews for strategic suppliers, while being responsible for continuity of supply including actively monitoring and mitigating supplier capacity and risk.

Objectives

• Negotiate commercial agreements or spot purchases required to support business partners and manufacturing sites.
• Ensure that negotiated agreements are implemented, and terms and conditions are being met.
• Aggressively pursue and create competitive purchase environment by constantly seeking alternate supply scenarios.
• Define and develop appropriate cross-functional relationships with the Businesses, Supply Chain, and other functions.
• Establish and maintain business relationships with the appropriate management of key suppliers.
• Develop and implement commercial agreements and associated work processes within area of responsibility including the development of Low Cost Country opportunities.
• Resolve process or supplier related issues as escalated from the Businesses where the tactical teams need support.
• Maintain knowledge of suppliers and relevant market developments such as Mergers & Acquisitions, financial status, and changes in key personnel.
• Travel domestically and internationally as required
• Responsible for development and execution of commodity strategies for assigned commodities.
• Accountability to provide analytical support in all commercial negotiations and supplier selections within assigned commodities.
• Support cross business synergy efforts for assigned commodities.
• Builds and supports a pipeline of cost savings projects for sustainable year over year productivity, or cost down.
• Responsible for weekly executive reporting on all financial cost down projects for assigned commodities.

Critical Success Factors

• Establishes sourcing strategies for assigned spend, collaborates to insure incorporation and business unit participation and alignment.
• Participate and coordinate sourcing activities in design changes (ECN) and New Product Development (NPD)
• Work with Engineering and testing to prioritize sourcing activities
• Oversees all activities related to the management of assigned spend, from intent to purchase through delivery of commodity/service
• Recruit, maintain and manage world-class suppliers with focus on total cost of ownership improvements while maintaining the highest code of ethics and conduct
• Proactively and routinely drives spend analysis activities identifying strategic sourcing opportunities within assigned commodities and throughout the supply chain environment where applicable
• Prepares and reviews contracts, bids, proposals, and vendor agreements for legal correctness, terms/conditions, and acceptability of items to specifications
• Analyzes market and delivery conditions to determine present and future industry trends in pricing and availability that will impact the business
• Responsible for timely reporting on KPI's and presenting Strategic Sourcing plans and activities
• Strategic planning, cross-functional support, and ability to leverage various sourcing tools with various opportunities while minimizing supply risk.
• Effective technical and analytical skills
• Initiative to challenge inefficiencies, process deviations, and strategy deviations.
• Utilization of data analysis skills to effectively identify value opportunities.
• Challenge status quo through managed approach and sophistication.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in a technical competency, minimum in a business/industrial related field.
• 5-7 years sourcing/procurement related experience
• Mid-level leadership and commodity management experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work in a fast paced environment and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Experience interacting with cross functional team including engineering, quality, materials, logistics, sales & marketing.
• Demonstrated supplier management skills and negotiation experience.
• Project management experience
• Strong analytical and quantitative abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Microsoft Project
• Develops and balances both short and long term strategies and initiatives.
• Effective two-way communication and executive presentation skills.
• Professional business acumen.
• Willingness to travel
• P.M. or C.P.I.M. certification a plus

Behavioral Competencies

Ensures Accountability

• Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments

Drive Engagement

• Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives

Instill Trust

• Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity

Drive Results

• Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances

Consumer/Customer Focus

• Building strong customer relationships and delivering on customer-centric solutions

Critical Thinking

• Making Sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems

Being Resilient

• Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations

Optimize Work Processes

• Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement

Manage Ambiguity

• Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear

Decision Quality

• Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward

Develop Talent

• Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization’s goals

Plan and Align

• Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with the organizational goals