Commodity Manager - CAES

Delivering mission-critical, electronic solutions that protect lives.  Use your creativity and critical thinking to take our products from concept to customer.

At CAES, we engineer solutions for the world’s most critical missions. We serve customers in the defense and aerospace markets.

Seeking a career that offers challenging, diverse projects and opportunities?  Looking for a position with a company that offers long-term professional advancement?  Searching for a place that values a diverse, team-based environment?  One that values YOU.  Consider CAES.

The most important thing we build is TRUST

SUMMARY:

This critical position is responsible for developing and implementing strategic supply chain goals and objectives across the business unit. This individual will own the operational performance of multiple commodities, including but not limited to, our Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) suppliers. The candidate must be a highly accountable professional with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with key suppliers while leveraging these relationships to improve supplier quality, costs, service, and preserve Department of Defense (DOD) certification. Able to perform work that is complex in nature which involves critical thinking and attention to detail in order to support multiple programs.  The commodity manager will be a driver that can hit goals and work projects with a sense of urgency. This individual will be expected to work in an environment where continuous improvement methods are utilized to manufacture quality products according to design specifications and customer expectations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS and DUTIES:

• Develops and implements commodity strategies: source and manage commodity specific suppliers based on performance (Quality, Service, Technology, and Price); and follows strategies outlined.
• Strategizes for lowest upfront cost for commodities owned: responsible for supplier relationship & negotiating pricing and terms with commodity supplier; meets with suppliers on an ongoing basis to share scorecard performance and discuss areas for improvement; identifies/closes cost reduction opportunities with suppliers; discusses/closes cost reduction ideas with suppliers generated from workshops and/or suggestions; and maintains performance management system and drives ideas to closure.
• Responsible for outsourcing activities as identified through commodity strategies. This includes developing a detailed transition plan and ensuring critical path actions are completed on time. The Commodity Manager will be a self-starter with a keen sense of urgency.
• Negotiates and executes critical, complex, high-value awards independently; understands escalation, negotiation plans, responsibility to perform to a budget and contractual obligations set forth by executed Purchase Orders. Responsible to execute or assist with various contract types, as well as NDA and T&C reviews, utilizing our Contracts department as and when necessary.
• Participates in Make/Buy determinations for existing production, engineering programs, new business awards, and NPI kick-offs.
• Ensures compliance with Small Business Administration and Department of Defense regulations in procurement activities, including outreach efforts to disadvantaged suppliers and price analysis per FAR/DFAR.
• Coordinates, schedules, and facilitates as applicable Lean/Six Sigma activities for own work area as well as for other areas to enhance cross-functional problems solving; responsible to drive Continuous Improvement projects yearly. 
• Develops, tracks, and reports visual metrics, including KPI’s for area; reacts to metrics by identifying and solving problems, making improvements and advancing process control. Will be expected to pull reports directly from SAP, deep dive into the data, seek out information needed to develop commodity strategies and perform to all metrics assigned.
• Participate in safety training and actively comply with safety policies and practices.

Minimum:

• Eight (8) years of purchasing experience
• Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred:

• At least Eleven(11) years of purchasing experience
• Master’s Degree
• Cost reduction, strategic sourcing and/or total cost of ownership experience in a manufacturing environment
• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM)
• Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)
• The Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
• Communication Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public
• Strong Contract writing skill set. Ability to develop various types of contracts that support a specific commodity group 
• Math Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume
• Ability to read part prints and work with engineering on design optimization opportunities
• Analytical Skills: Able to synthesize complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables
• Computer Skills: Strong computing skills in the areas of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and ability to learn new corporate systems. Ability to use Enterprise-wide (ERP)
• Previous SAP or Oracle experiences

Salary Range: $98,000 - $175,000 annually (San Diego).

Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base bay. Applicable pay within the posted range may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, geographical location, job function of the position, education, and experience of the successful candidate. CAES provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, 401K, paid holidays and vacation.

EMPLOYMENT TRANSPARENCY

BENEFITS

We take care of our people and provide competitive health, wealth and wellbeing benefits – from day one. You’ll also discover learning and development opportunities so you can take your career to the next level – and beyond.

Other benefits include:

• Comprehensive PTO, Paid Holiday and Paid Family Leave Programs.
• Student Loan Repayment Program & Tuition Reimbursement
• 9/80 Alternate Work Week Schedule
• Tailored Management/Leadership Training
• Innovative Medical Programs, Including Family Forming

ABOUT CAES

CAES is the largest provider of analog and radiation hardened technology for the United States aerospace and defense industry.  From human spaceflight and space exploration, to missile defense and electronic warfare, to healthcare solutions addressing COVID-19, our talented team develop high performing electronic solutions that work the first time, every time.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

At CAES we welcome differences and celebrate new ideas. We believe the diversity of our people inspires our creativity and drives our innovation. Everyone is welcome here, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation due to a disability for any part of the employment process, please email CAEScareers@caes.com.