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 Hastings
Hastings has no historical claims on the UK’s culture – unless you count a minor scuffle in 1066 that changed the rulers of the nation forever. In fact, the main battle took place on a Senlac Hill, about 6 miles (10 km) to the northwest of the town, but it’s known to generations of schoolchildren as the Battle of Hastings. Perhaps if Harold had not needed to take his army north to repel an invasion of Norsemen just as the Norman invasion was happening, the battle, and British history, would have been very different. And that probably means we wouldn’t all be here, so we owe the Norwegians one!
The town became an important fishing village as time progressed, and fishing still plays a part in the town, and the largest beach-based fishing fleet in Europe is based there. The town, like many seaside towns, thrived during the Victorian period, especially when the railway came, and Hastings was one of a string of popular holiday destinations along the south coast. It still remains so.
Hastings is a relatively large town, with a static population approaching 100,000. Its tourism industry is its largest employer, but fishing and its related industries is still quite important. Around the town there are many small businesses and a few retail and industrial parks. The diversity of industry and the population that changes seasonally means that Commodity Manager jobs do appear from time to time in Hastings, so it is always worth checking with us to see if anything is in the pipeline in or around the town.
