Commodity Director

W Talent; Hounslow; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm in the UK is seeking a Commodity Director to take strategic ownership of global sourcing activities across castings and forgings. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in global sourcing within industrial markets and the ability to develop sourcing strategies aligned with business goals. This is a high-impact role that offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to work hybrid in Southwest England.

Benefits

Competitive leadership-level salary and bonus

Comprehensive benefits package

Opportunity to influence long-term business success

Qualifications

• Proven track record in global sourcing within industrial markets, ideally with metal products.
• Experience leading high-impact categories across multi-site or international organisations.
• Strong understanding of metal manufacturing processes and supply-market dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sourcing strategy for castings and forgings.
• Identify and evaluate global suppliers across castings and forgings.
• Lead cost analysis and negotiations for competitive contracts.

Skills

Global sourcing experience

Negotiation skills

Supplier relationship management

Analytical mindset

Commercial acumen

Job description

Commodity Director

Southwest England

£75,000 to £85,000 +Great benefits

Location: Southwest England (with occasional UK and international travel)

We are delighted to be working in a retained partnership with a key client seeking a highly motivated Commodity Director to take strategic ownership of the organisation's global sourcing activities across castings, forgings, and heavy metal components. This senior role will shape and deliver a long‑term sourcing strategy that enhances supply chain resilience, drives cost optimisation, and supports growth across multiple business units and geographies.

Role Overview

You will provide the business with strategic insight and direction in the sourcing of direct materials, specifically:

• Castings
• Forgings
• Heavy metals
• Related industrial components
• Supplier and capability development across emerging markets.

You will lead a high‑impact category that plays a critical role in the competitiveness, reliability, and innovation of the organisation's product portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement a comprehensive sourcing strategy for castings and forgings, fully aligned with business goals for cost reduction, supply‑chain resilience, continuity of supply, sustainability, and quality assurance.

Provide strategic oversight and market intelligence across global supplier bases, including emerging markets with high potential for capacity, cost competitiveness, and innovation.

Shape long‑term category strategies that deliver measurable value across multiple business units and regions.

Global Supplier Development

Identify, evaluate, and qualify emerging global suppliers across castings, forgings, and metal manufacturing.

Build and maintain strong strategic relationships with existing and potential suppliers in established and developing markets.

Drive supplier development initiatives to enhance performance, technical capability, reliability, and innovation.

Commercial & Technical Excellence

Lead complex cost analysis, use cost modelling, and negotiation strategies to secure competitive contracts and long‑term agreements.

Partner closely with engineering, operations, and Senior Leadership to identify cost‑saving opportunities through:

• Design‑for‑manufacture
• Standardisation
• Material optimisation
• Value engineering

Champion continuous improvement across the supply base.

Risk & Compliance Management

Monitor geo‑economic, regulatory, environmental, and market risks in global sourcing regions.

Ensure full supplier compliance with ethics, sustainability, safety, and quality standards.

Stay ahead of commodity trends, capacity constraints, raw material pricing, and geopolitical factors influencing the metals, castings, and forgings sectors.

Team & Stakeholder Leadership

Collaborate across multiple departments and business units to align sourcing decisions with company‑wide objectives.

Lead, mentor, and develop a sourcing team to build high capability and strong functional performance.

Act as the executive sponsor for key supplier partnerships.

About You

You will bring a strong blend of commercial, technical, and strategic expertise, including:

• A proven track record in global sourcing within industrial markets, ideally with specific experience in metal products, castings, or forgings.
• Experience leading high‑impact categories across complex, multi‑site or international organisations.
• Demonstrable success in developing and executing global sourcing strategies that deliver value and resilience.
• Strong understanding of metal manufacturing processes, cost drivers, supply‑market dynamics, and global sourcing landscapes.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and relationship‑building skills at senior level.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex data and market intelligence.
• Ambitious, energetic, and motivated, with the ability to drive change and inspire cross‑functional teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking skills.

What We Offer

• Competitive leadership‑level salary and bonus
• Comprehensive benefits package
• A key strategic role with direct impact across global operations
• Opportunity to shape a highly critical category and influence long‑term business success
• Hybrid working with a Southwest England base