At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop sourcing strategies and manage supplier performance in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Leading manufacturing business in Derby with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, hybrid working, and potential for permanent role.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Join a well-established organisation and make a real impact on procurement strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement roles with strong supplier management and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
Location: Derby
Salary: up to £52k plus car allowance
Hybrid Working
SF Recruitment are partnering with a leading manufacturing business in Derby to recruit a Senior Buyer for an 18 month fixed term contract. This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established organisation operating within a highly regulated manufacturing environment, where you'll play a key role in developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier performance, and driving commercial value across direct material categories. It is essential you are immediately available or on short notice for this role!
Reporting into the Procurement function, you will be responsible for the strategic management of direct commodities, ensuring the business has a high-performing and resilient supply base that supports operational and commercial objectives. This is an initial 18 month contract with a chance the role could become permanent.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement category and sourcing strategies for direct commodities.
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers to support business growth.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, driving performance improvements across cost, quality, and delivery.
- Lead supplier negotiations, including pricing, contracts, and commercial agreements.
- Monitor supplier KPIs and manage supplier development activities.
- Analyse purchasing data, market trends, and commodity risks to support strategic decision-making.
- Work collaboratively with Engineering, Production, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to align procurement activity with business requirements.
- Resolve supply chain issues and proactively manage supply risk.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities to optimise the supplier base.
About You
- Previous experience within a Commodity Manager, Category Manager, Senior Buyer, or Strategic Buyer position.
- Strong supplier management, sourcing, and contract negotiation experience.
- Excellent commercial awareness with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience developing category strategies and managing supplier performance.
- Ability to build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Previous experience within manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, or another industrial environment.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience using ERP systems and Microsoft Office.
A professional procurement qualification such as CIPS (or equivalent) would be advantageous but is not essential.
If you're an experienced procurement professional looking to take the next step in your career within a strategic Commodity Management role, please apply with a copy of your CV today.
Commodity Manager in Derby employer: SF Partners Careers
Join a dynamic and innovative technology start-up in Birmingham, where your contributions as a Mechanical Lead will directly shape the future of cutting-edge AI-enabled products. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and creativity, the company fosters a vibrant work culture that encourages personal growth and professional development, offering competitive salaries, bonuses, and a range of benefits. This is not just a job; it's an opportunity to take ownership of exciting projects and be part of a passionate team driving technological advancements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commodity Manager in Derby
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Commodity Manager in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show SF Partners Careers that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, SF Partners Careers can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows SF Partners Careers that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let SF Partners Careers know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at SF Partners Careers
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.