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 Warwickshire
Famous as the birthplace of writers William Shakespeare and George Elliot, Warwickshire is located in the East Midlands and shares borders with a number of counties including Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
Home to a number of large settlements like Rugby, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Warwick, Leamington Spa and Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire offers a variety of options for those seeking Commodity Lead opportunities.
In addition, Birmingham is within an easy commute from the north-west of the county, making it perfect for those who wish to work in Britain's second city, but live away from the busy atmosphere.
For much of its past, Warwickshire's economy was based in the textile industry and manufacturing.
These days, the region relies heavily on industry and engineering, while the service sector, retail, power, technology and tourism are also important.
Rolls-Royce has an engineering works in the region, while the Rugby Cement Works is one of Europe's largest such facilities. Rangemaster stoves have been manufactured at the Eagle Foundry in Leamington Spa since 1851 and a number of video game designers are based in the area.
Other companies based in the region, or with large facilities here include IBM, Holland & Barrett, Volvo, ConocoPhillips and Bravissimo.
In addition, the National Grid's gas control centre is in Warwickshire, while Dairy Crest and RS Components have national distribution centres in Nuneaton.
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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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