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- Tasks: Lead high-value contracts and tenders for manufacturing operations while mentoring your team.
- Company: Join Knauf Insulation, a global leader in construction materials with a values-led culture.
- Benefits: Inclusive environment, career growth opportunities, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from underrepresented groups.
- Why this job: Shape the future of manufacturing while developing your skills in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in negotiations and strong analytical skills; willingness to learn is key.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Knauf stands for opportunity. We know that opportunity looks different to each person, and we are proud that we see opportunity in everyone. This exciting role within Knauf Insulation in the Purchasing Team could be the perfect next opportunity for you to build a unique career, in a values-led culture with a clear purpose of making tomorrow a home for all of us. We are a global manufacturer of construction materials and within our Group, our 41,500 team members in 90 countries across 300 sites provide a huge opportunity for anyone with ambition and energy. We value everyone's contribution equally and we ask that you bring your whole self to work, to enrich the business further, as together we achieve more in a safe and inclusive environment.
As our Contracts Manager, you will lead high-value, multi-site tenders and contracts that underpin all regional manufacturing operations and establish the contracting and procurement foundations for a new plant program. You will guide and support those around you, and embed best practice and compliance, whilst driving supplier performance against contractual obligations to protect value.
What you’ll be doing:
- Autonomously lead regional, multi-site operational tenders and enterprise contracts that serve all manufacturing sites, including establishing logistics and other operational services to enable the new plant start-up.
- Develop, implement and maintain contracting processes, templates and governance in line with regional and central Purchasing and Supply Chain policy; embed compliance and supplier performance management across sites.
- Oversee post-award supplier performance against the contract, ensuring obligations, KPIs and programme milestones are delivered safely on time and to quality; manage change control, claims and commercial outcomes.
- Build capability by mentoring colleagues, sharing best practice and improving data quality, reporting and process efficiency.
A full role profile is available upon request from HR/Talent Acquisition.
What we’d love for you to have:
- Experience of leading complex negotiations across multiple manufacturing sites.
- Highly experienced in the use of SAP.
- Attained or working towards CIPS accreditation.
- Proactive and creative in finding solutions that will positively impact the organisation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent level of MS Office proficiency - Excel (e.g. pivots, lookups), Outlook, Word.
- Highly numerate with demonstrable analytical skills.
- Strong organisation and time management ability.
- Attention to Detail, Tenacity.
We encourage applications from people from a minority background or from demographics that are underrepresented in the manufacturing industry. We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 1) and take care to ensure good EDI (Equality, Diversity).
Contracts Manager (Purchasing) employer: Knauf Insulation UK & Ireland
Contact Detail:
Knauf Insulation UK & Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager (Purchasing)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Knauf and understanding their values. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute to it.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Contracts Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead complex negotiations. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Knauf team.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager (Purchasing)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Contracts Manager. Highlight your experience with multi-site operations and any relevant procurement processes. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your personality and passion for the role. Tell us why you’re excited about the opportunity at Knauf and how you can contribute to our values-led culture.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; highlight your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead complex negotiations and improve supplier performance. We love seeing how you’ve made an impact in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Knauf Insulation UK & Ireland
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Knauf's values and mission. Understand their approach to purchasing and contracts management. This will help you align your answers with what they value, showing that you're not just a fit for the role but also for the company culture.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully led complex negotiations or managed supplier performance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easy for the interviewer to see your impact.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges they face in procurement, or how they measure success in supplier performance. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
✨Demonstrate Your Soft Skills
As a Contracts Manager, you'll need to guide and mentor others. Be ready to discuss how you've developed colleagues in the past or improved processes. Highlight your communication skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment, as these are crucial for the role.