Commodity Manager

Location: Brighton and Hove

Commodity Manager - Mechanical Subcontract & Raw Materials The opportunity

Our client is a long-established, world-leading engineering manufacturer where quality and supply continuity really matter. They are looking for an experienced Commodity Manager to take full ownership of a complex, high-value commodity portfolio.

This is a role for someone who wants genuine responsibility. You will set the strategy, lead the big negotiations and be the person the business turns to on supply-chain decisions. You will do it as part of a busy, collaborative Sourcing team that shares knowledge, backs each other up and values experience.

What you’ll own

• Commodity strategy for mechanical products, machining, surface treatments, components and raw materials, covering supplier segmentation, capacity, cost drivers, lead times, quality, sustainability and obsolescence
• The commercial and supply-chain input to make-or-buy decisions for machined and mechanical parts
• The supply-chain risk register for your portfolio, including sole-source exposure, constrained capacity, sub-tier dependencies and trade risk, with mitigation plans agreed and tracked
• Major supplier negotiations
• Senior-level relationships with key suppliers to improve cost, quality and delivery, and to resolve significant technical, commercial or schedule issues
• Identifying, qualifying and developing new suppliers in line with company strategy
• Shaping major supply-chain contracts, including contract type and length

How you’ll work

• As the link between Engineering, Operations, Quality, Programmes and the supply chain
• Alongside Design and Manufacturing Engineering from early in the design cycle, so parts are manufacturable and competitively sourced
• Leading cross-functional teams on major technical or production issues
• Leading programmes to develop in-house capability where that is the right strategy
• Taking a key role in Quarterly Business Reviews and supporting Account Managers and the Sales function
• Working with customer, government and external assurance bodies on supplier and compliance reviews

What you’ll bring

• A proven track record as a Commodity or Category Manager covering machined components, mechanical products, surface treatments or metallic raw materials
• Evidence of building and delivering category strategies
• Supply-chain experience in a regulated, high-complexity environment
• A solid working knowledge of machining, fabrication, forging, casting, heat treatment, surface treatment and material conversion, and their cost drivers
• Strong analytical skills, from quotes and cost breakdowns to commodity indices and capacity data
• Experience managing sole-source or capacity-constrained suppliers where switching is difficult
• Project or programme management experience leading cross-functional activity
• Excellent negotiation, presentation and influencing skills at both senior and working level
• You must be legally entitled to work in the UK to apply