Commodity Manager

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Main Purpose Main Purpose

Manage the development, implementation and management of the purchasing, supply base, commodity and SRM strategies, for the allocated areas of strategy and procurement delivery as defined and instructed by the Head of Manufacturing Procurement.

Key focus is to embed a smaller core of high performance, highly flexible, cost effective suppliers, fully supported by the Manufacturing Division's Operations / Engineering / Quality teams, delivering value in line with the defined Manufacturing Operational strategy and Procurement strategy requirements / expectations.

Positioning in Organisation

The role reports directly to the Senior Commodity Manager

Dimensions, Authority & Risk

Responsible for the establishment of framework / Long Term Agreements and associated contractual management of a specific portfolio of suppliers/commodities. Expected scope of financial responsibility will be up to a value of approximately £10 million per annum.

Responsible for the analysis of their responsible commodity areas for future requirements (SIOP), supply market trends & technology advances, supply base capability and identification / management of potential opportunities & risk.

To lead ITT requirements, supplier selection & nomination, all negotiations and contract award activities assigned to them by the Head of Manufacturing Procurement

Management of People & Advisory

No direct management of people. To act as lead advisors & direct activities undertaken by the Senior Buyers and Buyers. Will act as a key factholder of Procurement processes, tools & approaches, Suppliers & supply base trends / capabilities and all Procurement Strategies.

Key Relationships

Regular & frequent contact with internal & external stakeholders - much of which requires influencing & negotiating skills regular contact at all levels. Frequent contact with senior managers and Directors (internal and external).

Leaders of the Manufacturing Procurement SRM strategy, processes, deployment & application into the Manufacturing Division supply base support the Procurement & Commodity strategies.

Freedom to Act & Direction Received

Considerable discretion and independence under general guidance but refers to a higher level for policy and professional decisions.

Work reviewed on monthly basis against KPI's & agreed objectives with demonstrable compliance to all Procurement & business processes and Unipart Rail's ethical & professional codes of conduct.

Spread Of Skills & Analysis Required

• Work is not straightforward and requires considerable initiative and judgement. Difficult tasks or assignments may be handled.

• Ability to compile, analyse, interpret and present information to senior stakeholders
• Skilled communicator with excellent stakeholder management and effective influencing skills at senior levels
• Excellent team & change management and leadership skills
• Strong data analytical & problem solving skills
• Effective time & deadline management and prioritization skills
• Strategic thinker and ability to convert to tactical deployment plans
• Good track record of promoting a team culture & cross functional working

• Ability to work independently

Pressure & Working Environment

High degree of work pressure. Work can require considerable concentration. Consistently high level of quality of service is required. Targets tend to be fixed by external factors. Can be major peaks of pressure.

Experience & Proven Ability Required

Essential

• Recognised procurement professional or relevant work experience (min 5+ years)

• Experience of developing and implementing Commodity strategies / deployment and supplier plans within a manufacturing environment
• Significant experience within the Rail industry (Infrastructure / Rolling Stock (New build or MRO)) with good knowledge of the Supplier Market place & associated approvals requirements

• Excellent Supplier Development and relationship management skills
• Experience in managing tenders, bids, including ITTs
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of financial drives / supplier financials analysis and part cost analysis / benchmarking
• Experience in negotiating , implementing and managing framework agreements / Long Term Contracts with supporting Service Level Agreements

Additional desirable

• Experience with Automotive or Aerospace sectors or other Blue Chip manufacturing sectors
• Experience of repairable management & the associated processes
• Experience of SAP ERP solutions / SAP super user
• Knowledge & experience of LEAN Manufacturing & LEAN Supply Chain principles
• Knowledge and experience of Open Book Costing and Supplier Cost Interrogation - training, deployment and Supplier Cost evaluation

Duties & Key Responsibilities

STRATEGIC PROCUREMENT: 90%

• Manage the development and implementation of the procurement, Supply base, Commodity and SRM strategies - target smaller core supplier population delivering highly cost effective operational excellence
• To develop clarity on forecast sales pipeline & SIOP process; to develop agreed future scope of work and materials requirements as basis of all framework / LTA activities.
• To lead the discussions with approval bodies, such as Network Rail / Quality / Engineering, for the approval of new suppliers / product groups / source transfers
• To undertake make vs buy reviews as assigned by the Head of Manufacturing Procurement.
• For the assigned portfolio of suppliers, undertake RFQ actions, quote evaluation, cost, contract negotiation and development & implementation of appropriate Framework / Long Term Agreements with the selected suppliers.
• To participate in the development and roll out of a Supplier 'Open book' quotation process and methods to evaluate information for negotiation leverage
• Bid process & New Projects - to fully support the UR Bid process for assigned product areas for elements covering the Manufacturing Division scope of activity & involvement
• To undertake specific Procurement projects as defined & instructed by the Head of Manufacturing Procurement
• To own critical supplier issue Escalation process for (1) supplier issues unresolved through the MPL escalation process & (2) Price quotation & price query issues
• For assigned Suppliers, to undertake & complete full SRM Analysis; to manage and develop good supplier relations through the practical application of SRM policies and in the deployment of Unipart Rails Supplier engagement process.
• Identify Joint new product development and innovation programmes to facilitate UR commercial opportunities & cost reduction potential.
• To act as a coach and mentor to other internal team members and external suppliers in Procurement processes / tools / methods and Best Practice LEAN activities.
• Ensure that all suppliers work, operate and fully comply with all ethical & professional codes of conduct including their and their sub suppliers activities - as outlined in Unipart Rail standards, Industry approval and operational standards; Legal requirements as outlined in UR Terms& Conditions and in UK & Local laws.

CI / Unipart Way: 5%

Advocate of the Unipart Way and Tools used to deliver CI of processes and systems

Health & Safety: 5%

• Work in a safe manner, taking reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and other people at work, following appropriate Health and Safety guidance, training and company rules and procedures as appropriate
• Report any accidents, hazards or dangerous / unsafe behaviour to your line manager immediately