Assistant Procurement Manager - Chemicals

Unilever; Bebington; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consumer goods company in Port Sunlight is seeking an Assistant Procurement Manager for Fine Chemicals. This role involves managing a large spend portfolio and contributing to innovative procurement strategies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in supply chain and procurement, with excellent analytical and communication skills. Offering hybrid work options and a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension

Annual bonus

Gym

Staff shop discounts

Share plans

Qualifications

• Strong supply chain/procurement or commercial experience.
• Preferably procurement or operational experience.
• Working knowledge of forecasting, planning processes, market operations.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Portfolio Manager in defining global sourcing strategy.
• Implement risk mitigation strategies for the portfolio.
• Manage full contracting cycle from RFQs/Tenders to negotiation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Agility

Team player

Crisis management

Education

Bachelor Degree in Commerce/Marketing or (Bio) Chemistry/Engineering

MBA (advantageous)

Tools

Anaplan

SAP CLM

Power BI

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Assistant Procurement Manager - Chemicals

Location: Port Sunlight office

JOB PURPOSE: As an Assistant Manager for Fine Chemicals Procurement, you will be responsible for contracting and operations of a portfolio to manage a spend of approximately €130m for the business across a number of purchase commodities within Polymers, Guars and Pearlisers. The role contributes to the innovation pipeline, value chain interventions and driving a superiority agenda for B&W as part of Procurement, as well as carbon footprint reduction and enabling cost savings. This position reports into Portfolio Procurement Manager - Fine Chemicals.

Responsibilities

• Support Material Strategy: assist the Portfolio Manager in (re)defining global sourcing strategy for the portfolio, aligned with market dynamics and input from BUs and Categories, considering supply/demand, pricing competitiveness, material risk, R&D projects, new finished goods launches, supplier innovation, country specifics, channels/warehousing options, working capital, stockholding, vertical integration opportunities, supplier financial risk, and other value drivers.
• Drive alignment and execution of defined strategies with key stakeholders (Business Groups, Business Units, R&D, Supply Chain and Procurement) and ensure effective communication.
• Lead resilience management for the portfolio: implement risk mitigation strategies, scout new alternatives, and create value through savings (alternative supplier approval, stock holding, alternative material introduction, vertical integration).
• Lead Portfolio Management: understand material value chains, optimize delivered costs through lean, logistics, sourcing and channel optimization; monitor market conditions and forecast future trends; develop short/mid-term negotiation tactics.
• Contracting: manage full contracting cycle from RFQs/Tenders to negotiation and contract closure; use Smart Buying tools and pricing mechanisms; manage quarterly price forecasting and feedstock market developments; input into forecasting tools (e.g., Anaplan).
• Documentation and Compliance: create/approve sourcing contracts in the Contract Lifecycle Management system; monitor contract offtake vs obligations; ensure material compliance with Unilever specifications and regulatory requirements; benchmark performance against competition.
• Supplier Management: nurture supplier relationships, assess risks and contingency plans, create supplier profiles and scorecards, manage supplier performance and contracting discussions; ensure compliance with Unilever Supplier Qualification System (Aravo).
• Business Engagement: provide market-based forecasts and analysis to business units; support projects involving product changes, supply chain strategy, and demand forecast adjustments; flag material risks and manage crisis communications as needed.

All About You

• Bachelor Degree in Commerce / Marketing or (Bio) Chemistry / Engineering, with strong supply chain/procurement or commercial experience
• MBA is advantageous for non-commerce backgrounds
• Preferably procurement or operational experience
• Strong analytical, interpretation and communication skills; data analysis and presentation
• Agile, adaptable, able to work under pressure; proactive, self-starting, organized with good planning; able to decide and delegate
• Team player and capable of taking ownership; able to work independently
• Working knowledge of forecasting, planning processes, market operations, and supply chain
• Prior experience in B&W category and background in chemicals preferred
• Strong crisis management skills; comfortable with systems and digital tools (Buyers’ console, Power BI, Anaplan, SAP CLM, USQS, ARAVO, etc.)

Notes

We offer a competitive salary and pension, annual bonus, gym, staff shop discounts and share plans. Flexible and hybrid working options available. We are committed to wellbeing and development opportunities, and to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide reasonable adjustments during the application process to enable you to participate fully.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Unilever is committed to equal opportunity and inclusive recruitment. If you encounter recruitment fraud, report it via the official channels provided in the job posting.