Sourcing Operations and Effectiveness Specialist in Slough

Sourcing Operations and Effectiveness Specialist in Slough

Slough Temporary 44000 - 52000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support the commercial team in driving supplier growth and managing budgets.
  • Company: Join Mars Wrigley, a purpose-driven company with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, hybrid working, and top-notch learning opportunities.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth within a leading global brand.
  • Why this job: Kickstart your career in a dynamic environment with real impact on snacking innovation.
  • Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and experience in Commercial or Supply Chain roles preferred.

The predicted salary is between 44000 - 52000 £ per year.

Location: UK - Hybrid working model, minimum 2 days per week in the Slough office.

Contract: 12-months fixed-term contract

Salary: £44,000 - £52,000, annual bonus, benefits

BACKGROUND D&T is an entrepreneurial unit of Mars Wrigley UK focused on delivering quality growth in new snacking categories across the region through co-manufacturing partnerships. This role is in the D&T Commercial team. The Role reports to the Commercial Head - Liz Danby.

THE JOB This role will perform a critical role in the commercial team working very closely with R&D, Q&FS, Operations, Demand, Finance as well as the strategic sourcing managers. The key objectives of this role is to keep our commercial team running smoothly (following all relevant governance), lead and support supplier enabled growth and value projects, implement commercial strategies, ensure our data and budgets are managed, and drive improved service and performance through our supplier base. There is also the opportunity to do a level of strategic sourcing on some of our smaller D&T categories. This role is a great starting point for a broader career within the wider Commercial organisation at Mars, giving experience of end to end buying in a smaller entrepreneurial unit, connected strategically to the wider Mars Snacking business.

What will be your key responsibilities?

  • D&T Commercial excellence
  • Governance & controls execution lead
  • Commercial KPI assessment and tracking (supply performance, value leadership, contractual coverage etc)
  • Budget performance
  • Digital focus areas to improve efficiencies
  • Leading/supporting continuous improvement, regulatory or sustainability projects relating where the commercial function has a role.
  • Managing the indirect and raw materials supply base at D&T including contract/price negotiation & performance management.
  • Key user for commercial systems (from supplier set up to payment)
  • SSM support through quarterly business review planning, problem solving, payment issues resolution, contracts and contract execution, NDAs

What are we looking for?

  • Bachelors degree or Equivalent
  • Relevant experience working within Commercial, Supply Chain or Project Management type of roles
  • Experience working with external parties is very advantageous
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to deal with tension/conflict and manage and engage a variety of stakeholders
  • Excellent planning and organizational skills; ability to organise workload, prioritise what is most important and balance between short term issue management and achievement of longer term objectives
  • Good financial acumen and experience in using Microsoft Excel in day to day business. Other system skills advantageous (SAP, Power BI)
  • Project management skills are advantageous.
  • Problem solving skills, ability to analyse information and drive solutions forward
  • Strong drive for results and customer focus
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
  • You are willing to travel up to 10% of your time to visit the suppliers and attend team meeting

What can you expect from Mars?

  • Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
  • Join a purpose-driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
  • Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
  • An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.

Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or who are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here.

Sourcing Operations and Effectiveness Specialist in Slough employer: Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates

At Mars, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions the voice of the Pet Parent. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through best-in-class learning opportunities, including access to Mars University, and a competitive salary and benefits package. Join us in a purpose-driven environment where your contributions directly impact pet parent trust and advocacy, all while working alongside a diverse team dedicated to making a difference.

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates

Contact Details:

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Sourcing Operations and Effectiveness Specialist in Slough

Tap into Temp Agency Networks

If you're eyeing a temporary role in supply chain operations, temp agencies can be your best pals. They often have exclusive contracts with companies like Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates that might not be posted publicly. Get registered with a few reputable agencies and stay in touch—they might just have the perfect gig for you!

Make Your Skills Shine

In the world of supply chain operations, showcasing your relevant skills can set you apart in a heartbeat. Try to highlight your experience with logistics software or inventory management techniques when chatting with potential employers. Offer specific examples of how you’ve streamlined operations in the past; it’s all about making that connection!

Join Supply Chain Meetups

Getting out there in the community isn’t just for full-time roles! Attend local supply chain meetups and networking events, as they can lead to temporary job opportunities. Plus, you never know—someone in the room could know about an immediate opening at Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates or have tips on where to look.

Be Agile and Available

For temporary positions, having flexibility can make you much more desirable to employers. Keep your schedule open and be ready to jump into assignments at short notice. If you can show that you’re adaptable, companies like Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates will notice and might keep you in mind for future temporary opportunities!

We think you need these skills to ace Sourcing Operations and Effectiveness Specialist in Slough

Commercial Acumen
Supply Chain Management
Project Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Communication Skills
Planning and Organisational Skills
Financial Acumen

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Supply Chain Knowledge:Make sure you showcase any relevant coursework or experience in supply chain management in your CV. If you've worked with inventory management systems, logistics planning, or demand forecasting, include specific examples to demonstrate your skills—this is key in supply chain operations!

Certifications Can Make a Difference:If you've got any certifications related to supply chain operations, like APICS or Six Sigma, splash them in your CV! They can really help you stand out. Temporary roles often look for candidates who can hit the ground running, so proving you’ve got that extra knowledge is a big plus.

Emphasise Flexibility in Your Application:Since this is a temporary role, it's super important to highlight your flexibility and readiness to adapt to new environments. In your cover letter, mention your ability to learn quickly and your willingness to take on diverse tasks—this shows that you're the right fit for a dynamic supply chain environment.

Make Your CV Concise and Relevant:Keep your CV tight and relevant, focusing on the most important past experiences that relate directly to supply chain operations. Avoid filler and concentrate on the skills and experiences that will impress Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates and relate to the temporary nature of the role. Let's get you that interview!

How to prepare for a job interview at Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates

Know Your Supply Chain Tools

Brush up on the specific tools and software commonly used in supply chain operations, like SAP or Oracle. Make sure to highlight your familiarity with these during the interview at Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running.

Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills

In a temporary role, they’ll want to see how quickly you can adapt and solve problems. Prepare for scenario-based questions that may ask how you’d handle disruptions like delays or inventory shortages. Think of real examples from your past experiences to share!

Flexibility is Key

As this is a temporary position, emphasise your willingness to be flexible. Talk about how you’ve quickly adapted to changes in previous roles or how you’re able to step in and learn new processes swiftly, especially those unique to Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates.

Prepare for Team Dynamics

Temporary roles often require quick integration into teams. Be ready to discuss your communication style and how you work collaboratively. You might face questions about working with cross-functional teams, so think about how you can highlight your teamwork skills.