Commodity Lead jobs
To get the most value out of a procurement operation, a commodity lead is often employed to deal directly with suppliers on behalf of the purchasing company. They will have a multitude of specific roles, but in essence they will be expected to keep costs as low as possible while maintaining the expected level of supply as per the business’s production requirements.
The commodity lead will need to keep a keen eye on the industry as a whole, checking out prices from a range of suppliers as a matter of routine. Identifying savings elsewhere will put the company in a stronger negotiating position with existing suppliers, creating a win-win situation as long as the competitor can meet delivery expectations. However a well negotiated long-term deal that saves future time and expense of seeking out new suppliers is far preferable.
Of course, it’s not all about saving money in simple terms; a good deal is about much more than that. Supplier might charge more for reasons that could prove highly advantageous to your own business, that save you more than they cost the supplier (perhaps because of their buying power in the sector, for example). So delving deep into bids from potential suppliers and modelling their propositions against your own company’s projections will form a key part of the job.
The skills required
The ideal commodity lead will have had some experience in procurement and will know their way around a negotiating table, representing their employer. They might well accompany superiors to such negotiations, where their in-depth knowledge of the particular deals in question will be used to strengthen the company’s position. Because negotiations are often fast-paced, a good grasp of maths, particularly mental arithmetic, will be vital for instinctively taking the temperature of a deal in progress.
Great communication skills and the ability to easily work in a team will be essential, as will competence at problem solving and forming firm, assertive decisions based on the best available data.
Commodity Lead Jobs in Bolton
Located in the Greater Manchester area, the town of Bolton is a thriving community with plenty of opportunities for those seeking Commodity Lead positions.
The town's history extends back thousands of years and signs of a Neolithic settlement include a stone circle on Cheetham Close. Bronze Age burial mounds in the region were excavated by the Victorians and the town was given a market charter in 1251. In fact, the medieval market was held until the 18th century.
Bolton has long been known for its textile industry and several innovations, including the spinning mule, led to the town's prosperity during the Industrial Revolution. However, there was substantial decline in the 1920s and today the chimneys and empty mills are the only reminders of this part of the town's past.
However, there is still an element of manufacturing to be found in Bolton, with smaller scale paper manufacturing, textiles and steelworks in operation.
Warburtons is headquartered in the town and has been since it was established in 1876. Now one of the UK's most popular brands of bread, this company produces millions of loaves every year. In addition to its head office, there are also two bakeries in Bolton.
For the most part, however, Bolton's modern economy relies on the service sector and tech. The town is home to a number of offices that specialise in data processing and there are several call centres and IT companies.
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Cast UK’s procurement opportunities
Cast UK were founded by specialists in the logistics, supply chain and procurement trade, and our consultants are also drawn from these backgrounds, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for.
If you’re looking for a job in procurement, whether you’re relocating for personal reasons or are simply looking for more job fulfilment, there could well be an employer who’s looking for the skills you have, so please get in touch with Cast UK. At any given time, we have jobs all over the UK, so wherever you live, or plan to live, we are well placed to find work that suits your skills. Employers often approach us to find managerial and executive candidates, so if you’re in logistics, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Commodity Lead for your business or find you a job as a Commodity Lead then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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