At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management to optimise costs and ensure quality.
- Company: Join the UK's largest steel storage manufacturer with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a chance to influence key business decisions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while collaborating with expert teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strategic sourcing; CIPS qualification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
The Whittan Group is the largest manufacturer of steel storage products in the United Kingdom. Through a portfolio of market-leading brands, we design, manufacture, and install innovative storage solutions for commercial and industrial environments across the UK and Europe.
Location: Telford
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: Hybrid - up to 1 day per week working from home
About the Role
You’ll work in a fast‑paced, engineering‑led environment, partnering closely with internal teams and suppliers to optimise cost, ensure quality, and deliver long‑term value to the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies across key commodity areas including:
- Steel sections and tubing
- Plastics and injection moulding
- Fasteners and engineered components
- Paints and coatings (wet & dry systems)
- Outsourced finishing and roll forming
- Lead end‑to‑end sourcing activities including RFQs, negotiations and contract awards
- Conduct market analysis, benchmarking and cost modelling to identify savings opportunities
- Supplier Management
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers aligned with business needs
- Monitor and drive supplier performance across cost, quality and delivery
- Build and maintain strong, strategic supplier relationships
- Cost & Commercial Management
- Deliver cost reduction and value improvement initiatives
- Apply should‑cost modelling and value engineering techniques
- Monitor commodity markets (particularly steel and related materials) and mitigate risk
- Manage contracts, pricing agreements and commercial exposure
- Risk & Compliance
- Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks
- Support business continuity planning
- Ensure supplier compliance with environmental, ethical and regulatory standards
Essential
- Proven experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or commodity management
- Experience with cost modelling, value analysis and data‑driven decision‑making
- Experience using ERP systems (e.g. SAP)
- CIPS qualification or equivalent
Desirable
- MCIPS qualification or equivalent
- Experience within a commodity buyer or strategic sourcing role
- Advanced Excel skills (analysis, reporting, modelling)
- Experience managing global supplier relationships
- Strong understanding of market trends and commodity pricing dynamics
Why Join The Whittan Group?
- Be part of the UK’s leading steel storage manufacturer
- Work with a diverse range of products and commodities
- Influence strategic procurement decisions at scale
- Collaborate with expert teams across engineering and operations
- Opportunity to drive real commercial impact in a growing business
Commodity Manager in Telford employer: Whittan
The Whittan Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Telford where innovation meets engineering excellence. As the UK's largest manufacturer of steel storage products, employees benefit from a culture that values collaboration and strategic thinking, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development. With a hybrid working model and a commitment to driving commercial impact, joining Whittan means being part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to quality and sustainability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commodity Manager in Telford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. 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 products. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your skills in procurement and strategic sourcing can add value to their operations.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, highlight specific examples of how you've driven cost savings or improved supplier relationships in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining The Whittan Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Commodity Manager in Telford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commodity Manager role. Highlight your experience in procurement and strategic sourcing, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications like CIPS. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Be sure to mention your experience with cost modelling and supplier management, as these are key for us.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s cost savings or successful supplier relationships, we love to see quantifiable results that show how you can add value to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about The Whittan Group and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whittan
✨Know Your Commodities
Make sure you brush up on the specific commodities you'll be dealing with, like steel sections and plastics. Understanding the market trends and pricing dynamics will show that you're not just familiar with procurement but also passionate about the industry.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Sourcing Skills
Prepare examples of your past experiences in strategic sourcing and category management. Be ready to discuss how you've developed sourcing strategies or led end-to-end sourcing activities, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Supplier Relationships Matter
Think about how you've built and maintained strong supplier relationships in the past. Be prepared to share specific instances where you’ve evaluated and onboarded suppliers, as well as how you’ve monitored their performance to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Since the role involves cost modelling and value analysis, come equipped with examples of how you've used data to drive decisions. Highlight your experience with ERP systems like SAP and your advanced Excel skills to showcase your analytical capabilities.
