Strategic Commodity Manager - Electric Motors & Engine Components

Job Description

Job Description

Overview:

We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Category Manager to lead procurement initiatives across critical Power Systems commodities. This role will drive cost optimization, supplier innovation, risk mitigation, and operational excellence within a highly complex global supply chain environment.

The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in category management, strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and direct material procurement, particularly within electric motors, motor components, gas engines, transformers, pumps, or related electromechanical systems.

This position partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to deliver long-term sourcing strategies and strengthen supplier performance across global markets.

Key Responsibilities:

Category Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies for assigned commodities.
• Serve as a trusted procurement advisor to Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Utilize market intelligence, supplier benchmarking, and spend analysis to identify:
• Cost savings opportunities
• Supplier consolidation initiatives
• Innovation opportunities
• Supply chain risk mitigation strategies
• Monitor and forecast key commodity drivers and global market trends related to:
• Copper
• Electrical steel
• Rare-earth magnets (NdFeB)
• Cast housings
• Electromechanical components

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities including RFIs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and onboarding.
• Negotiate commercial agreements covering:
• Pricing
• Service level agreements (SLAs)
• Intellectual property
• Liability terms
• Data/privacy considerations
• Drive supplier rationalization, demand management, and cost avoidance initiatives.
• Support global sourcing strategies and procurement optimization efforts.
  

Supplier & Contract Management

• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships while ensuring performance against KPIs and SLAs.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities including:
• Coil winding
• Lamination stamping
• Commutator/brush systems
• Casting
• Machining
• Motor assembly
• Lead contract renewals and renegotiations to improve commercial outcomes and reduce risk.
• Track and report procurement metrics including:
• Cost savings & avoidance
• Supplier performance
• Contract coverage
• Project execution timelines
  

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary procurement partner for assigned business groups.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align sourcing strategies, supplier selection, and procurement objectives.
• Influence stakeholders across technical, operational, and leadership teams.
  

Continuous Improvement

• Stay informed on emerging technologies, manufacturing trends, and procurement best practices relevant to power systems and industrial manufacturing.
• Support ongoing process improvements and operational excellence initiatives.
  

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Economics, MIS, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, or supply chain management.
• Experience sourcing and procuring:
• Electric motors
• Motor components
• Gas engine components
• Electromechanical systems
• Experience operating within complex manufacturing and global supply chain environments.
• Strong negotiation, supplier management, and contract management skills.
• Experience with multi-tier supplier networks and global sourcing strategies.
• Understanding of geopolitical sourcing risks and supply chain mitigation strategies.
• Strong project management and stakeholder influence skills.
  

Preferred

• MBA or advanced business degree.
• Experience supporting industrial manufacturing or engineered product environments.
• Exposure to direct materials procurement and commodity management.

Location & Schedule

• Rogers, Minnesota (future transition to Dayton, MN facility)
• Hybrid schedule:
• 4 days onsite
• 1 day remote

Zobility is RGBSI's workforce management and staffing division. RGBSI is a multi-national corporation headquartered in Troy, MI with branches throughout the USA, Canada, Germany, and India.

Company Description

Zobility is RGBSI's workforce management and staffing division. RGBSI is a multi-national corporation headquartered in Troy, MI with branches throughout the USA, Canada, Germany, and India.