Director Geopolitical Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary
Reporting directly to the Vice President of Global Supply Chain & SIOP, the newly created role of Director of Global Aluminum Sourcing will lead CST Industries' global aluminum sourcing strategy, supplier network development, and commercial management across North America, Europe, and Asia.
This role is responsible for building a world-class global aluminum supply base, developing strategic supplier partnerships, and ensuring the long-term competitiveness, scalability, and resilience of CST's global aluminum supply chain. The Director will drive category strategy, market intelligence, supplier development, cost optimization, contract agreements, and risk mitigation while supporting the company's continued global growth, operational excellence, and international expansion.
Working closely with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, Logistics, SIOP, and Executive Leadership, this leader will align sourcing strategies with business objectives, customer commitments, and long-term growth initiatives. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision, commercial acumen, and strong execution to build a high-performing global aluminum sourcing strategy capable of supporting CST's expanding worldwide manufacturing footprint.
Leadership Expectations
• Operate as a strategic business leader with strong commercial acumen.
• Build credibility and influence across Engineering, Operations, Finance, Manufacturing, and Executive Leadership.
• Drive accountability, execution, continuous improvement, and close alignment with U.S. Purchasing to ensure successful execution of global commodity strategies.
• Develop sourcing talent and future category leadership while leading through collaboration, influence, and data-driven decision making.
Key Responsibilities
Global Category Leadership
• Develop and execute global sourcing strategies for aluminum extrusions, sheet, coil, fabricated components, and future assigned commodities.
• Establish multi-year category roadmaps aligned with CST growth objectives.
• Monitor commodity markets, supplier trends, geopolitical risks, and supply chain disruptions while developing risk mitigation and supply continuity strategies.
• Lead supplier segmentation, rationalization, and category performance initiatives.
Supplier Development & Global Sourcing
• Identify, qualify, develop, and audit global suppliers to achieve best landed cost and long-term supply resiliency.
• Expand strategic supplier networks throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, including support for Vietnam sourcing initiatives.
• Build strategic supplier partnerships and multi-sourcing strategies that improve competitiveness and reduce supply risk.
Commercial & Contract Leadership
• Lead RFQs, commercial negotiations, long-term agreements, and supplier performance management.
• Drive cost reduction through total cost of ownership, should-cost modeling, and market benchmarking.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities for assigned commodities.
• Evaluate supplier scalability, capacity, financial strength, and long-term growth capability to support CST's global expansion.
Lead Time Reduction & Supply Chain Optimization
• Reduce supplier and internal lead times through collaboration with Engineering, Operations, Planning, and Manufacturing.
• Identify alternative sourcing opportunities, improve supply chain responsiveness, and strengthen overall supply chain agility.
Cross-Functional Leadership
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Finance, Logistics, SIOP, Quality, and Project Management to align sourcing strategies with business objectives.
• Support new product introductions, engineering changes, executive reviews, sourcing councils, and business planning activities.
Key Performance Indicators

• Annual cost savings and cost avoidance.
• Supplier performance, quality, and on-time delivery.
• Strategic supplier development and supplier scalability.
• Supply continuity, risk mitigation, and lead-time reduction.
• Support of Vietnam expansion, acquisitions, and global growth initiatives.

Initial Direct Reports
Global Aluminum Sourcing Manager (based in Vietnam)
Future APAC Sourcing Resources
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain leadership within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing aluminum or other engineered metal products and developing strategic supplier relationships.
• Experience with aluminum/metal commodity markets, pricing, tariffs, supply risk, and global sourcing strategies.
• Experience negotiating strategic supplier agreements and managing supplier performance.
• International sourcing experience including supplier development, qualification, and supplier audits.
• Strong analytical skills using Excel, ERP systems, and business analytics.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.
• Experience driving cost reduction through TCO, landed cost modeling, supplier relationship management, and supply risk mitigation.
Preferred Qualifications
• Recent experience leading an aluminum commodity category (coil, sheet, plate, extrusions, fabricated components, or similar products).
• Experience working directly with aluminum mills, extruders, service centers, or strategic metals suppliers.
• Experience sourcing throughout Asia, including China, Southeast Asia, and/or Vietnam.
• Experience supporting heavy manufacturing, engineered products, or industrial fabrication.
• Project management, engineering, manufacturing operations, rapid-growth, or acquisition integration experience.
Travel Expectations
This position requires approximately 20-30% travel, including visits to CST manufacturing facilities, strategic suppliers, and international sourcing locations as they develop. Domestic and international travel will support supplier development, commercial negotiations, supplier audits, business integration activities, and global sourcing initiatives.
Candidate Location
This position is ideally based at CST's corporate headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, or our aluminum fabrication facility in Conroe, Texas. Highly qualified candidates may also be based elsewhere in the United States near a major airport to support domestic and international travel. Candidates located in Southeast Asia with strong aluminum sourcing expertise will also be considered. Exceptional candidates based in Europe may be considered where experience and strategic fit align with CST's global sourcing objectives.