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 Halifax
A minister town in West Yorkshire, located to the south west of Bradford, Halifax is a good choice for those seeking Commodity Lead opportunities.
From the 15th century, the town was an important location for the manufacture of wool and cloth. The textile industry continued to thrive through the 19th century, although most of the wealth that came to the town during this period was derived from cotton instead of wool.
In 1853, a building and investment society was formed in the city, which would later become known as the Halifax bank. It's now part of the Lloyds Banking Group and operates mainly from London.
Halifax has also been known for its confectionary production since the late 1890s when John Mackintosh and his wife started selling toffee from a shop in the town centre.
The business quickly expanded and resulted in a number of brands that are still popular today, such as Rolo, Toffee Crisp and Quality Street. Now owned by Nestle, which is based in York, a factory continues to operate in Halifax, churning out millions of tasty treats every year.
Today, the town's economy is mainly based in the retail and service sectors. A number of large business parks have been developed in the region - such as Dean Clough, which is located on the site of what was once the world's largest carpet factory. It provides workspace for SMEs and larger organisations ranging from IT and media companies, as well as financial services and healthcare facilities.
Popular locations
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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