A global commodity manager is a key individual within the purchasing organisation. It is a complex role that requires a number of skills, qualifications and attributes.

A global commodity manager does more than simply buy commodities on a global basis. Instead the global commodity manager co-ordinates the procurement strategy for that commodity. This will involve an in depth understanding of the market, supplier sourcing, risk and performance management.

Due to the fact that the global commodity manager will be operating on a global basis, they will need to demonstrate a real understanding of the market, not just of their own locality, but globally, so the manager needs to be able to identify new opportunities and innovation and ensure that these are exploited.

The global commodity manager also needs to be able to minimise risk. In short this means that the manager has to develop an appropriate risk mitigation strategy through an appropriate supplier network maintaining continuity of supply whilst reducing risk within the supply chain as a whole!
In operational terms the manager will act as a conduit and liaise between the various manufacturers/suppliers and the procurement community. The manager is expected to support global suppliers, whilst not being hands on, but operating at a strategic level supporting the needs of the business.

The global commodity manager must be able to see exactly how the global and strategic procurement policy fits in to the overall company strategy. For this reason it is typically a senior position within the company and must fit in to all the goals and aims that the company has and the global commodity manager has to ensure that procurement drives the fulfilment of these aims. So it is an important role and one that should be viewed as critical, if the purchase and procurement of global commodities are to be kept down.

Qualifications:

The qualifications for a global commodity manager vary according to whether the company is an industrial company, a technological company or is manufacturing based. However, as a general rule, most commodity managers, especially global commodity managers will have at least a degree and some global experience specifically in strategic sourcing and or buying.

All global commodity managers have to show that they are able to lead and have the capacity to juggle several (metaphorical) balls in the air simultaneously, whilst ensuring that the small details are not overlooked.
Given the complexity of the role, the salary for this post is generally higher than a typically buyer and can represent the prestigious reward on the procurement career path however it does come with responsibility and more than a few challenges!

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