At a Glance
- Tasks: Source and negotiate for commodities, ensuring supply and cost efficiency.
- Company: Join a global leader in design and manufacturing with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, employee wellbeing initiatives, and long service awards.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in driving a cleaner, healthier environment through procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 42000 £ per year.
Join a global leader in design and manufacturing, committed to accelerating society's transition to a cleaner, healthier world. Our client, a well-established company based on the outskirts of Maidstone, Kent, is seeking an experienced Commodity Buyer / Senior Buyer to join their team.
Senior Commodity Buyer Role Overview
The Commodity Buyer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing assigned commodity categories to ensure consistent supply, cost competitiveness, and strong supplier performance. The role supports production requirements while driving cost savings, quality improvements, and long-term supplier relationships.
Key Responsibilities:
- Procurement and Sourcing: Manage the end-to-end procurement process for assigned commodities; source new suppliers and evaluate alternative materials or components to reduce cost and improve supply continuity; conduct market research to track pricing trends, supply risks, and global commodity movements; review RFQs, negotiate pricing, and secure best-value agreements aligned with business objectives.
- Supplier Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers; monitor supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and compliance; conduct supplier reviews, audits, and performance improvement activities; resolve supply issues and escalate risks when required.
- Cost and Contract Management: Support cost-saving and value-engineering initiatives while ensuring material availability; prepare and present cost analysis, forecasts, and supplier proposals; negotiate commercial terms, long-term agreements, and service-level expectations.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Planning teams; support new product development by sourcing appropriate materials and components; ensure procurement decisions align with manufacturing efficiency and company strategy.
- Data, Systems and Compliance: Maintain accurate procurement data within ERP/MRP systems; ensure compliance with company policies, quality standards, and ethical sourcing practices; track commodity KPIs and produce reports as required.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Proven experience in procurement, buying, or supply chain roles (manufacturing or engineering preferred).
- Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
- Ability to analyse data, interpret market trends, and make cost-effective decisions.
- Experience using ERP/MRP/SAP systems and Microsoft Excel.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Desirable:
- CIPS qualification or working towards.
- Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
- Experience managing global suppliers or complex commodity categories.
Key Competencies:
- Commercial awareness.
- Decision-making.
- Problem-solving.
- Relationship building.
- Attention to detail.
- Adaptability and resilience.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Excellent sales and negotiation skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Well-organised with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good administrative skills and proficiency in relevant software.
Senior Commodity Buyer in Marden employer: TipTopJob
Contact Detail:
TipTopJob Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commodity Buyer in Marden
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local events. 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 the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly fits in.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Commodity Buyer, you'll need to showcase your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find roles that match your skills. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and helps us keep track of your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commodity Buyer in Marden
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Commodity Buyer role. Highlight your manufacturing experience and any relevant SAP knowledge. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've driven cost savings or improved supplier relationships in your previous roles. This will help us see the impact you've made.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: A well-written cover letter can set you apart from the crowd. Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your experience makes you a great fit. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It streamlines the process and ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at TipTopJob
✨Know Your Commodities
Before the interview, brush up on the specific commodities relevant to the role. Understand market trends, pricing fluctuations, and potential suppliers. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're proactive and well-prepared.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you achieved significant cost savings or improved supplier relationships. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes. This will demonstrate your capability in a key area of the Senior Commodity Buyer role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with SAP
Since SAP experience is crucial for this position, make sure you can discuss how you've used it in previous roles. If you have any specific projects or achievements related to SAP, highlight those during the interview to showcase your technical proficiency.
✨Emphasise Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams. Prepare to talk about your experiences collaborating with production, engineering, and quality teams. Highlight how your contributions led to successful outcomes, demonstrating your ability to work effectively across departments.