Commodity Manager jobs
Procurement is a huge part of any manufacturing operation’s expenditure, so any efforts that can be made to reduce the cost of procurement has be worth using. The commodity manager will be in charge of this effort, and will be required to meet or exceed targets set by head office with regard to minimising procurement costs and thereby maximising profitability.
The commodity manager has several strands to his or her job. First, they will try to seek out good deal by keeping fully abreast of the industry in which they operate, paying special attention to the activities of potential suppliers. Second, they will compile lists of potential target suppliers and invite them to tender deals. Third, they will enter preliminary negotiations with the most promising candidates, after which they will start to focus in on the favourite with a view to negotiating a final contract.
Good contract managers will have not only their own company’s interests at heart but also those of the supplier, however. While keeping clients happy is unquestionably good practice, it’s very easy to alienate and de-motivate suppliers by driving too hard a bargain, and if this backfires, the company’s lifeblood could be temporarily removed.
That’s why the job of the commodity manager is as much a partner as that of a client. Forming good relationships will lead to better contracts in future, and that all contributes to a company’s profitability.
The skills required
Commodity managers should have a superb ability to analyse various deals as they come in from potential suppliers, in order to determine which ones represent the best value in the short-term as well as the long-term. They should also be good negotiators, able to appreciate both sides of a deal and the desires and ambitions of suppliers just as much as those of his or her own employer.
Communication is key to all of these skills, and is therefore probably the overarching ability for the role. Good deals communicated badly can be rejected out of hand, but there’s also the communication within the company’s walls to get right. It’s vital that the facts and figures are delivered accurately to those who ultimately have to make the decisions. Communication is a key asset in diplomacy and negotiation, which are key parts of the job.
A good understanding of the specific markets in which the employer operates would be a distinct advantage, particularly if it has been gained in the procurement environment.
Cast UK’s procurement opportunities
At any given time, Cast UK 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.
We 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. In fact, employers often approach us to find managerial and executive candidates, so if you’re in procurement, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
So 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. Please get in touch today!
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Commodity Manager for your business or find you a job as a Commodity Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
Commodity Manager Jobs in Derry
Derry is often called Londonderry after being granted a royal charter by James I (and is called Derry-Londonderry on its UK City of Culture 2013 website). The county, city and district variously share the name, but they all refer to the same place. Derry was the last city in Europe to be walled, in the early 17th century, and most if not all of the wall remains today. It was an important seaport, and played a huge part in World War II owing to its position as the westernmost port in the UK, indeed Allied Europe, as Iceland was neutral.
In peacetime, the city had a reputation as a shirt maker, with several factories springing up to make men’s shirts for export and domestic use. As with the Northern mill towns of England, however, this industry was all but gone by the 1980s, with most of this kind of work moving to Asia.
An important employer in the city has been Du Pont, who made Neoprene there for years, and more recently switched production to Kevlar and Lycra. There is also a burgeoning hi-tech manufacturing sector in the city. Seagate Technology, one of the world’s top hard disk drive manufacturers, makes more than half of its read/write heads in the Derry factory. The city is also home to Northern Ireland’s largest private company, Desmonds, plus a healthy smattering of multinationals.
With a population of around 100,000, a thriving shopping centre and a good deal of industry popping up in this regenerating city, Derry would appear to be a prime location to look for Commodity Manager positions.
