GLOBAL COMMODITY MANAGER - ENGINEERING TECHNICAL AREA

GLOBAL COMMODITY MANAGER – ENGINEERING TECHNICAL AREA

The Client:

Our client is an international industrial group backed by global PE . In the last 6 years they have doubled up the top line up to 2Bn€ (2025), tripled their profitability, established their presence in 28 countries, consolidated their manufacturing footprint across 70+ production sites and distribution centres, employing almost 6000 people. Their portfolio (25000 products across BUs) is sold in 132 countries, positioning the group as a leader in attractive premium niche markets.

A key enabler of their growth path has been a structured Procurement organisation built to evolve into a strategic, “best‑in‑class” function, definitely a strategic partner to the business across multiple business units.

As part of its ongoing development, the company is looking for a Global Commodity Manager – Engineering Technical Area (GCM) who will be responsible for the global management of technical procurement categories, with a cross‑BU scope covering CAPEX, OPEX and MRO .

Position – The role:

The Global Commodity Manager (CPO‑2) will report to the Procurement Director – Indirect (CPO‑1) and will be responsible for defining and implementing sourcing strategies across the Technical Procurement area, ensuring competitiveness, value creation, cost optimisation and supplier performance improvement across the Group.

The role will manage a team of 2 resources (1 strategic buyer and 1 buyer) and will work in close cooperation with Operations, Finance, Controlling and other key stakeholders.

The position covers categories including:

• CAPEX investments (civil works, infrastructure, machinery and industrial equipment)
• OPEX technical spend (maintenance services, technical consulting and external contractors)
• MRO categories (maintenance materials, spare parts, and related services)

Key Objectives and Responsibilities:

Direct responsibilities will include:

• Convey distinctive engineering skills to the role to maintain and further enhance procurement’s capability to buy capex and sustain the company’s growth trajectory worldwide.
• Connect with the organisation – all plants worldwide, as well as Operations and Legal – to define technical specs and tenders in Italy and abroad, and deploy the commodity strategy and sourcing programmes for the entire Engineering | Technical Procurement area.
• Develop supplier strategies and supplier performance improvement programmes. Supply base predominantly in Europe.
• Manage supplier selection , scouting, benchmarking and sourcing optimisation initiatives.
• Lead RFQ/RFP processes, offer analysis and alignment, commercial negotiations and contract finalisation in cooperation with Legal.
• Coordinate cost optimisation and value creation initiatives with internal stakeholders: Operations, Finance and Controlling.
• Contribute to maintaining the distinctive best‑in‑class position of Procurement as a best‑in‑class player. Organise and facilitate workshops with suppliers and internal stakeholders to identify best practices, innovation opportunities, Value Engineering and Design‑to‑Value initiatives.
• Apply all main Procurement technicalities – (TCO, negotiation‑booklet, open‑book logic, make‑VS‑buy, negotiation strategy, risk‑management, vendor‑rating) – and Drive recurring cash‑improvement programmes with suppliers, including payment terms optimisation and cost‑reduction initiatives (reverse factoring, confirming, PCG, bank guarantee, consignment stock).
• Conduct periodic Business Review Meetings with strategic suppliers, involving the relevant internal stakeholders (Operations, Finance, Controlling).

In addition, the role requires:

• Management of technical projects and procurement‑related initiatives through structured PMO methodologies, including scope critical analysis, Gantt and cost analytics.
• Coordination of periodic technical review meetings focused on expenditure monitoring, scope validation and project progress analysis.
• Collaboration with suppliers, engineering firms, designers and internal functions throughout project execution.
• Independent evaluation of business cases (volumes, optimal use of raw materials and energy, waste reduction, optimisation of FTEs) supporting new CAPEX investments and productivity improvement initiatives, including efficiency, energy optimisation, waste reduction, FTE optimisation and Industry 4.0/5.0 projects.

Requirements (“Must have”):

• Technical degree required, preferably in Engineering.
• Proven seniority (10+ years’ experience) in a context where Engineering and Procurement are strictly connected; the mix implies impeccable engineering skills, with best possible knowledge of procurement. The position is designed with flexibility to onboard people with different backgrounds, yet with the same ambition to contribute to value creation.
• Experience in managing engineering / technical procurement categories across CAPEX, OPEX and MRO.
• Experience coordinating technical projects and cost optimisation initiatives.

Procurement Knowledge and experience including:

• TCO methodologies.
• Negotiation strategies and negotiation booklets.
• Open‑book costing approaches.
• Make‑or‑buy analyses.
• Vendor rating and supplier performance management.
• Supplier relationship management and sourcing optimisation.
• Procurement ERP and SRM platforms such as SAP, Alyante, Navision, D365 and Jaggaer is considered a plus.

Additional competencies that will be considered of value:

• Knowledge of industrial manufacturing processes and plant engineering (ideally within paper, self‑adhesive or comparable manufacturing sectors).
• Familiarity with cash‑improvement tools such as reverse factoring, confirming, parent company guarantees, bank guarantees and consignment stock.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards.
• Understanding of the European Machinery Directive and related international regulations.
• Knowledge of Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with industrial technical regulations such as PED and ATEX.

Key Skills will include:

The ideal candidate combines Engineering | Technical background and Procurement expertise with the ability to operate effectively in complex, international and cross‑functional environments . Key skills include:

• Strong teamworking and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Structured approach to project and supplier management.
• Ability to challenge suppliers and drive performance improvements.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Capability to coordinate multiple initiatives and facilitate decision making.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Results orientation and value creation mindset.

Languages : Fluency in English is a must; Spanish language nice to have.

Job : This is a permanent full‑time job in a highly dynamic context.

Initial Salary range will be between EUR 65,000 – 75,000, plus Bonus and Benefits, in line with client commitment to transparent and equitable compensation practices. Final compensation will depend on real experience and relevant skills and will be valued with ad hoc programmes and consistent development paths. The client is an equal opportunity employer.