Commodity Manager

At U.S. Steel Corp in Avon, Ohio, our small manufacturing team turns raw materials into furniture, home furnishings, and industrial pieces that last. As Commodity Manager you will own the supply of wood, metals, textiles, and components that keep production flowing and costs under control. Your decisions directly protect margins and quality in an early-stage company of 51–200 people.

Performance Objectives

• Secure 12–15% cost reductions on the top five commodities within the first nine months while holding or improving quality scores.
• Build and qualify a core supplier base of at least eight reliable vendors, cutting average lead times 20% by month 12.
• Stand up a simple demand-forecast and inventory process that reduces excess stock and scrap by 25% in year one.
• Negotiate contracts that hedge price volatility for wood, steel, and fabrics, delivering predictable landed cost for production planning.
• Achieve 98% on-time material availability for scheduled production runs through daily coordination with the shop floor.
• Complete supplier audits for quality, sustainability, and compliance so that 100% of spend is with approved sources by year-end.

Environment & Resources

You report to the Operations Director and work side-by-side with a five-person production and purchasing team. You will use Excel, basic ERP, and supplier portals; a modest travel budget covers plant visits and trade shows. Decision rights sit with you on day-to-day buys; larger contracts require director sign-off.

Essential Qualifications

• Five-plus years buying commodities or managing suppliers in furniture, millwork, or light industrial manufacturing.
• Proven record of negotiating multi-year contracts that delivered measurable cost or lead-time improvement.
• Hands-on experience with demand forecasting, inventory turns, and simple hedging or index-based pricing.
• Ability to read drawings/specs and judge material quality on the shop floor.
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Role Selling Points

• Direct impact: every dollar you save and every day you shorten the supply chain shows up on the P&L of a growing manufacturer.
• Autonomy: you will design the processes, not inherit a rigid corporate playbook.
• Location: Avon, Ohio offers a low-cost, high-quality-of-life base with easy access to Midwest mills and ports.
• Creative manufacturing: you source the materials that become finished crafts and furnishings, not just bulk steel.

Ready to own the materials that build our products? Apply today and help us grow from our Avon workshop.