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- Tasks: Lead sourcing strategies, manage supplier relationships, and drive cost optimisation.
- Company: Join Milliken & Company, a global leader in materials science and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, private medical cover, and a vibrant company culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of sourcing while making a positive impact on communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in negotiation and supplier management; a proactive team player.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a supportive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations.
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
As a Sourcing Manager, you will play a key strategic role in strengthening Milliken’s Sourcing function by identifying, developing, and managing suppliers who deliver value, innovation, and resilience. You will influence the commercial direction of your specific areas while partnering closely with operations, engineering, finance, and global sourcing teams to drive cost optimisation, supplier excellence, and sustainable sourcing practices. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building strong supplier relationships, negotiating impactful agreements, and shaping the future of how we buy.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Global purchasing team
- Plant Leader and Operations team
- All cross functional support teams planning, warehouse, safety
- Corporate teams
- Suppliers
- Legal
PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Integral Member of the Management team
- Understand the business strategy and contribute effectively to achieve organisational goals
- Align vendor strategy in accordance with business strategy
- Participate in period business review meeting
- Assist Business achieve targets and goals
- Integral Member of European Purchasing Team
- Participate in quarterly group meetings
- Offer support to other Purchasing areas if required
- Identify Opportunities to Save Cost & Add Value
- Question why we use the products/services we currently do to identify and offer alternate product/service offerings to the business that will save cost or add value to current offering
- New Business Opportunities
- Advise relevant person of any potential new business opportunity that you may discover, whether it be in your local business or any other Milliken business
- Networking
- Attend events to gain knowledge and benchmark other companies
- Purchasing Education
- Ensure all relevant associates are trained to enable them to place orders with suppliers in accordance with Milliken’s Purchasing Policy
- Police the Procurement System
- Ensure the Milliken Purchasing Policy is adhered to and report any violation
- Collaboration with Lead Buyers
- Collaborate with US & European buyers any new business opportunity or purchasing initiative and vice versa to the local Business team
- Travel management
- Develop travel strategy
- Ensure communication to travel provider & associates to comply with Milliken safety & budget strategies
- Monitor performance including quality, cost, compliance KPI's for Europe
- Fleet management (Cars)
- Develop car policy in conjunction with Health & Safety & HR team
- Ensure communication to car provider & associates to comply with Milliken safety & budget strategies
- Monitor performance including quality, cost & compliance KPI's
- Ensure legislation is adhered to & consider environmental impacts
Responsibilities
- Suppliers
- Identify ethical suppliers
- Manage supplier relationships
- Price negotiation
- Quality
- Sustainable purchasing
- Claims
- Delivery
- Audits to include ethical purchasing & slave labour procedures
- Contracts
- Systems
- Purchase order approval
- Monitoring invoice queries
- Forecasting
- Legal database
- Communication
- Price changes
- Opportunities
- Reporting
- Share knowledge
KEY COMPETENCIES
Essential
- Experience of negotiation, cost driven & commercially minded
- Risk Management & supplier risk both financial & supply of goods
- Ability to use own initiative to make decisions which may impact the business, but can be clearly justified
- Numerate and data rational
- Ability to communicate at all levels
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills, decision maker
- Experience in a fast paced and dynamic environment
- Proactively driving and implementing improvements & cost savings
- Able to work across different levels of the Business
- Experience of multi-disciplinary management and project work
- Hands on and proactive approach, self-motivated
- Team Player
- Committed to driving best practise in Safety and Operational Excellence
- Prepared to Travel if necessary
Desirable
- Graduate Level or CIPS qualified
- Proficient with a range of Microsoft applications, SAP & Ariba
BENEFITS AND PACKAGE
- Pension scheme
- Private Medical Cover
- Hybrid working
- Flexi time
- Death in service
- Holiday purchase scheme
- Volunteering opportunities
- Charity days and events
- Health and wellbeing networks
- Cycle to work
- Free car parking
- Subsidised canteen
- Social and company events
- Casual dress down (following policy)
- Health drop in sessions
- On site counselling
- Employee Referral Programme (EAP)
- Milliken Inspire - reward scheme including long service
- Extensive internal/external training opportunities
- Course fees, study leave and professional subscription support
If you are interested in applying for this position, please ensure to attach your CV to your application.
Sourcing Manager in Wigan employer: Milliken & Company
Contact Detail:
Milliken & Company Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sourcing Manager in Wigan
✨Tip Number 1
Networking is key! Get out there and attend industry events or webinars. It's a great way to meet people in the field, learn about new opportunities, and show off your enthusiasm for sourcing.
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t underestimate the power of a follow-up! After interviews or networking events, drop a quick thank-you email. It keeps you on their radar and shows your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your negotiation strategies and past successes. We want to hear how you've added value in previous roles, so have those examples ready to go!
✨Tip Number 4
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 Milliken & Company.
We think you need these skills to ace Sourcing Manager in Wigan
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Sourcing Manager role. Highlight relevant experience in supplier management, negotiation skills, and any cost-saving initiatives you've led. We want to see how you can bring value to Milliken!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about sourcing and how your skills align with Milliken's mission. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for the role and the company.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don't just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've saved costs or improved supplier relationships in the past. We appreciate candidates who can demonstrate their impact.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Milliken & Company
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Milliken & Company's values and their approach to sourcing. Familiarise yourself with their products and recent innovations in materials science. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your answers with their mission.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of past negotiations where you achieved significant cost savings or improved supplier relationships. Be ready to discuss your strategies and how they can be applied to Milliken's sourcing function.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
As a Sourcing Manager, you'll need to work closely with various teams. Highlight your experience in cross-functional collaboration and how you've successfully partnered with different departments to achieve common goals.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about Milliken's sourcing strategies and future initiatives. This shows that you're not just interested in the role but are also thinking about how you can contribute to their success.
