City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Utility Commodity Manager

Under minimal supervision, this position will be responsible for managing all activities for assigned products and services within the utility supply chain and will be expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of best sourcing management techniques, practices and strategies including strategic sourcing; supply market analysis; supplier relationship development; and global sourcing to optimizing total cost and value of assigned products.

1. Acts as global supply management leader for assigned commodities. In coordination and collaboration with FSD – Central Procurement, initiates supplier identification, and makes recommendations for the assessment, selection, and development processes. Develops recommendations for sourcing strategies to meet customer and business unit objectives.
2. Leads cross functional teams and manage supply chain goals improving value-to-cost relationship by focusing on total cost of ownership, quality, delivery, and service.
3. Provides technical guidance and consultation to FSD – Central Procurement on supply chain negotiations with commodity supply partners.
4. Manages supplier base proactively, ensuring supply with no adverse impact on the business. Analyzes, identifies, and understands supply chain risks and develops contingency plans to mitigate in collaboration with FSD – Central Procurement.
5. Utilizes formal benchmarking methods to determine best in class processes and drives improvement maintaining at the forefront of emerging industry practices.
6. Measures and tracks supply performance within assigned commodities. Resolves and/or escalates issues in a timely fashion.
7. Effectively communicates with appropriate management levels both internally and externally.

• Provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, and guidance to others.

• Knowledge of working with government procurement processes and monitoring compliance with contractual obligations.
• Knowledge and understanding of contract negotiations.
• Knowledge of financial reporting concepts and preferred business practices.
• Knowledge of business planning, performance measurement, and program/project management.
• Knowledge of business strategies, objectives, departmental goals, and initiatives.
• Knowledge of logistical process of planning and executing a supply chain.
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and Local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Skill in analyzing forecasting to determine trends and changes in demand, sales, and pricing of goods.
• Skill in negotiating with vendors and suppliers
• Skill in decision-making to guide and advise procurement decisions.
• Skill in supply chain management including tracking inventory levels, production cycles and forecasted customer demand.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in developing and making effective presentations.
• Skill in determining needs and gathering, analyzing, and presenting data to provide accurate information for management's use.
• Skill in analyzing and solving complex problems.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions, manage competing high priority work demands, and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to train others.
• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.

• Graduation with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related field plus four (4) years of experience in Global Sourcing Category/Commodity Management.
• Graduation with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.

• None.