Commodity Specialist (Steel)

COMMODITY SPECIALIST (Steel)

Location: Detroit Metro Area, MI (Hybrid)

Compensation: $120,000 - $140,000 Base Salary + Bonus Opportunity

Our client, a well-established manufacturing organization, is seeking a Commodity Specialist to support strategic steel sourcing and commodity management initiatives across multiple business units. This newly restructured role offers significant visibility within the organization and the opportunity to influence sourcing strategy, cost management, supplier relationships, and long-term commodity planning.

The successful candidate will play a key role in managing a significant annual spend portfolio while partnering with operations, supply chain, finance, and leadership teams to support business objectives and drive sustainable cost improvements.

This role is ideal for an experienced Buyer, Senior Buyer, Commodity Manager, or Strategic Sourcing professional with a background in automotive or non-automotive steel purchasing, seeking increased responsibility and long-term growth opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing and commodity management strategies that support business objectives and cost improvement initiatives.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiations, and commercial agreements across assigned commodities.
• Analyze commodity market trends, pricing indexes, and supply chain conditions to support purchasing decisions.
• Monitor market intelligence and provide recommendations regarding sourcing strategies and risk mitigation.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to support forecasting, budgeting, and cost planning activities.
• Evaluate supplier performance, capabilities, and capacity to ensure continuity of supply and operational success.
• Identify opportunities to leverage purchasing volumes and optimize supplier networks.
• Support strategic initiatives related to commodity risk management, pricing structures, and long-term sourcing agreements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including operations, manufacturing, finance, and supply chain leadership.
• Prepare and present market analysis, sourcing recommendations, and business cases to leadership teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in purchasing, strategic sourcing, commodity management, or supply chain management.
• Experience managing raw material or industrial commodity spend within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of commodity pricing structures, market indexes, and supply chain economics.
• Experience negotiating commercial agreements and managing supplier relationships.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret market data and make strategic recommendations.
• Knowledge of commodity risk management, hedging concepts, futures markets, or indexed purchasing arrangements is highly desirable.
• Strong financial acumen and understanding of cost drivers.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Newly reimagined role with significant visibility and impact.
• Manage a substantial annual spend portfolio.
• Opportunity to influence strategic sourcing and commodity risk management initiatives.
• Exposure to senior leadership and cross-functional decision-making.
• Potential for future growth and advancement within the organization.
• Hybrid work environment with flexibility.
• Competitive compensation and bonus program.