I – Tasks related to the post – Fields of activity and level of responsibilities

The Purchasing Commodity Manager is responsible for managing the global commodity strategy for concrete bearers, wooden and composite sleepers, and transportation services (freight in and freight out – purchasing scope only, excluding operational logistics execution).
This role leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of sourcing strategies at the group level, ensuring alignment with the Group’s business objectives, sustainability targets, and working capital goals.
The position requires close collaboration with country and unit purchasing teams, as well as internal stakeholders in Strategic Purchasing, Operations, Industrialization, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Bid, Sales, Finance/Controlling, Legal, and Sustainability.
The Commodity Manager acts as the global expert for the assigned commodities, consolidating purchasing volumes, developing supplier partnerships, driving cost savings, reducing risk, and improving supplier performance in quality, cost, delivery (OTIF), and sustainability.
Commodity Strategy & Sourcing
• Develop, maintain, and implement the Commodity Strategy per segment at the group level, in alignment with overall purchasing and business objectives.
• Define group targets and sourcing strategy, including supplier portfolio mapping, partnership development, pricelists, purchasing and bid guidelines, compliance, and sustainability integration.
• Continuously analyze supplier markets, cost drivers, trends, risks, and opportunities, providing accurate price development forecasts.
• Consolidate and lead Commodity Strategy execution across all units, ensuring coordination with Regional Purchasing Managers and Local Purchasing Managers.
• Initiate and lead Make or Buy and Design-to-Cost programs in cooperation with Industrialization, Engineering, Operations, and Sales teams.
• Support working capital improvement through initiatives such as consignment stock, frame agreements, and optimized inventory management.
• Lead actions to de-risk supplier portfolios, including reducing single-sourcing dependencies.
• Drive ambitious QCD (Quality, Cost, Delivery) improvement plans with measurable targets per unit and supplier.
• Actively contribute to the creation of the Group budget for the assigned commodity, consolidating input from all relevant units and regions.
• Monitor actual spend and price evolution against the budget, analyze variances, and initiate corrective actions where required.
• For transportation (freight in and freight out), responsibility is limited to purchasing activities—such as supplier selection, negotiations, contracting, and cost optimization—while operational logistics execution remains under the responsibility of the Supply Chain/Logistics teams.
Project Purchasing Support
• Work closely with the Bid and Sales teams to support strategic and high-value international projects from the early stages.
• Ensure clear definition of the project’s needs, specifications, and desired outcomes in collaboration with technical and commercial teams.
• Conduct market research to identify potential suppliers, assess their capabilities, and understand the competitive landscape for specific project requirements.
• Identify optimal supply chain solutions to improve competitiveness in markets where original product pricing may be uncompetitive. This may include localized supply solutions or sourcing from regions with cost-competitive manufacturing while maintaining quality and compliance standards.
• Where frame agreements exist, leverage agreed terms and conditions while conducting dedicated project-specific negotiations when required to achieve the most competitive total cost of ownership.
• Where no frame agreement applies, coordinate with Regional and Local Purchasing Managers to prepare and issue RFQs or tenders in accordance with company procedures, ensuring that supplier submissions meet all relevant regulations, standards, and company policies.
• Collaborate on bid evaluations using predefined criteria, which may include price, quality, technical capability, social value, CO₂ footprint, and other relevant factors.
• Ensure all selected suppliers for project bids are compliant with contractual, regulatory, and ethical requirements.
• Assess and mitigate potential risks associated with different suppliers and proposals in collaboration with project and risk management teams.
Supplier Management & Performance
• Manage global supplier portfolios, assigning strategic status (“Develop”, “Remain”, “Restrict”, “Blocked”) and implementing supplier phase-out plans where required.
• Implement and manage the Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) system, consolidating supplier scorecards and driving corrective actions.
• Lead regular performance review meetings with suppliers, including discussions on quality trends, OTIF performance, lead times, and continuous improvement plans.
• Organize and lead global supplier coordination meetings and supplier days.
• Lead supplier qualification and audit processes, ensuring compliance with the Group’s Responsible Sourcing Management system.
• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with strategic suppliers to foster innovation, performance improvement, and risk mitigation.
• Monitor and improve On-Time Delivery in Full (OTIF) and supplier quality performance in cooperation with Quality and Operations teams.
Sustainability & CO₂ Reduction
• Initiate and lead sustainability actions within the commodity, focusing on Scope 3 emissions reduction.
• Collect and validate Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and other sustainability documentation from suppliers.
• Integrate sustainability metrics into supplier evaluations and sourcing decisions.
• Actively participate in the Purchasing Sustainability Core team and contribute to the company’s CO₂ reduction roadmap.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
• Communicate the Commodity Strategy and progress at all organizational levels, ensuring active involvement of key stakeholders (Supply Chain, Industrialization, Engineering, Operations, Bid, Sales, Quality).
• Provide expert support to Operations in resolving major supply issues and escalations.
• Collaborate with Bid and Sales teams to review offers and approve new business awards in line with the Commodity Strategy.
• Promote best practice sharing across purchasing teams.
Process & Governance
• Establish, review, and continuously improve purchasing processes at both global and local levels for the commodity in charge.
• Ensure compliance with purchasing policies, ethical standards, contractual requirements, and relevant international laws.
• Increase accountability of the purchasing function by challenging existing processes and implementing standardized, efficient workflows.
Work Environment & Travel Requirements
• Office-based role with regular interaction with global suppliers and internal units.
• Regular international travel (approximately 50% of working time) to supplier sites, industry events, and company locations for coordination and strategy alignment.
• Flexibility to travel at short notice for urgent supplier or project needs.

II - Profile required :
Education & Experience
• Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years’ experience in international purchasing, including strategic sourcing and commodity management.
• Proven track record in supplier negotiations, cost analysis, and risk management for the assigned commodities.
• Deep understanding of international trade terms, Incoterms, and global contract law.
• Experience working in a multinational industrial environment, preferably rail, infrastructure, or heavy manufacturing.
Technical & Soft Skills
• Expert knowledge of commodity cost structures and market dynamics for assigned products.
• Advanced negotiation skills and ability to manage complex, high-value contracts.
• Strong analytical abilities with experience in cost breakdowns, should-cost modelling, and market analysis.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and SRM or e-Procurement platforms.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across functional boundaries and geographical locations.
• Fluent in French and English; additional languages are a plus.
 

III - Remuneration, benefits and package :
Package: 115 k€ to 130 k€ depending on profile + 20% variable bonus