Commodity Manager in England

Commodity Manager to lead procurement strategy and supplier performance across key aerospace commodities including machining, raw materials, electro-mechanical components, valves and sensors, bearings, and composites.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing commodity strategies that deliver sustainable improvements in cost, quality, delivery, and supply continuity.

Working closely with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Finance, and Programme teams, you will transform technical requirements into commercially robust sourcing decisions across a global supplier base.

Key Responsibilities

• Commodity Strategy & Sourcing
• Develop and implement multi-year commodity strategies aligned to business objectives and demand forecasts.
• Analyse spend, market conditions, capacity, cost drivers, and supply risks to identify cost-saving and value opportunities.
• Lead supplier sourcing activities including supplier identification, RFI/RFQ/RFP processes, bid evaluation, and supplier selection.
• Present sourcing strategies and business cases to senior stakeholders.
• Commercial Negotiation & Cost Management
• Lead complex commercial negotiations using should-cost analysis, benchmarking, cost modelling, and market intelligence.
• Deliver competitive pricing, improved payment terms, and total cost of ownership reductions.
• Monitor supplier pricing, inflation, raw material trends, and foreign exchange impacts.
• Long-Term Agreements (LTAs)
• Negotiate and manage LTAs that secure supply, capacity, and pricing stability.
• Structure agreements including volume commitments, indexation mechanisms, productivity targets, and gain-share arrangements.
• Transfer of Work
• Lead supplier transfer and work migration projects from planning through implementation.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to achieve qualification requirements, First Article Inspection (FAI), production validation, and customer approvals.
• Manage project timelines, risks, costs, and stakeholder communications.
• Manage supplier performance across quality, cost, and delivery metrics.
• Lead corrective actions, recovery plans, and supplier development initiatives.
• Assess and mitigate risks relating to capacity, financial stability, supply continuity, geopolitical factors, logistics, and ESG compliance.
• Maintain supplier and commodity risk registers and contingency plans.
• Degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Engineering, or equivalent experience/CIPS qualification.
• Significant experience within commodity management, strategic sourcing, or procurement in aerospace or another highly regulated manufacturing sector.
• Proven track record delivering cost savings, leading sourcing initiatives, and negotiating complex supplier agreements.
• Experience managing supplier transitions or transfer-of-work projects.
• Strong understanding of should-cost analysis, total cost of ownership (TCO), contract management, and supplier risk management.
• Working knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, supplier qualification, and FAI requirements.
• Strong project management, analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Advanced Excel and ERP system proficiency.
• International sourcing experience.
• Knowledge of CNC machining, composites, bearings, valves and sensors, or electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity with AS9100, Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Value Engineering methodologies.

Occasional domestic and international travel will be required to support supplier assessments, negotiations, development activities, and transfer-of-work programmes.