Commodity Manager

Wrightbus; Ballymena; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Wrightbus is seeking a Commodity Manager to ensure the right materials are available across assigned commodities from the right suppliers at the right cost and on time, supporting uninterrupted production. You will lead a small team, source and qualify suppliers, drive cost reductions, manage contracts, and maintain ERP data to enable accurate purchasing and forecasting.

Strong collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Finance is essential to optimise supplier performance and

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Engineering, Materials, Supply Chain or related discipline, or experience in a senior materials role within a manufacturing environment.
• MBA or higher degree-level qualification.
• Institute of Purchasing Qualification (e.g. CIPS) or equivalent.
• Proven experience of contract preparation.
• Experience of sourcing from best-cost countries.
• Computer literate with proficiency in Excel.
• Influencing and persuasive skills.
• Proven project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing and supplier selection across assigned commodities, ensuring best-cost country sources where appropriate.
• Purchase and schedule materials to support production schedules and forecasts.
• Maintain ERP data with accurate price, lead-time and supplier details.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms and warranty terms to achieve best value.
• Lead supplier reviews and manage contracts; drive supplier performance and relationships.
• Actively pursue cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and coach a small procurement team.

Skills

Sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier management

Cost reduction

ERP systems

Excel

Project management

Team leadership

Communication

Strategic sourcing

Education

Bachelor/Master in Business, Engineering, Materials or related

MBA or higher

CIPS or equivalent qualification

Experience in senior materials role in manufacturing

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Location: Wrightbus UK Manufacturing Facility, with occasional travel to suppliers, including on-site supplier visits within the UK and internationally

This role can be based at any of Wrightbus's key operational sites, including Ballymena, Bicester, or Banbury

Role Purpose-Summary

The Commodity Manager will ensure that Wrightbus has the right materials within their assigned commodities, from the right suppliers, at the right cost, quality and time, supporting uninterrupted production at the lowest overall cost.Managing a small team, the role is responsible for ensuring an uninterrupted supply of materials at the lowest overall cost and to the agreed quality, in line with production requirements and customer delivery commitments.Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Finance, the Commodity Manager will maintain accurate material costs, drive cost reduction and develop a competitive, capable and reliable supplier base for their assigned commodities.

Key Responsibilities

Sourcing and Supplier Selection

• Source new suppliers for required materials, taking into consideration quality, cost and delivery factors.
• Ensure best-cost country sources are utilised where appropriate.
• Pre-qualify new sources by various means, including on-site visits, and ensure all suppliers are approved internally in line with ISO procedures.
• Issue requests for quotation to approved suppliers in good time for any new parts added to the Bill of Materials.
• Develop dual-sourcing and alternative-sourcing options for critical materials and components within the assigned commodities.

Purchasing and Material Scheduling

• Purchase and schedule all materials within the assigned commodities to support production schedules and customer delivery commitments.
• Maintain the ERP system with accurate price, lead-time and supplier details to enable purchase orders to be raised.
• Issue suppliers with monthly and quarterly forecasts to improve supply-chain performance.
• Ensure supplier capacity is in line with Wrightbus requirements and that appropriate strategies are in place to secure it.
• Identify potential material shortages, long-lead items and capacity constraints before they impact production.

Costing and Commercial Management

• Maintain the material cost on the Bill of Materials for all products within the assigned commodities.
• Provide costings and reasoned arguments to support make-or-buy decisions.
• Compare drawings of new parts with existing parts to ensure cost increases or decreases are justified.
• Monitor commodity price movements and take appropriate steps to secure the lowest cost for Wrightbus.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms and warranty terms with suppliers to achieve best overall value.

Supplier Performance and Relationship Management

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with suppliers within the assigned commodities.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews to optimise the relationship, covering cost, delivery performance, quality performance, payment terms and warranty terms.
• Prepare and manage supplier contracts within the assigned commodities.
• Lead supplier escalation and recovery plans where performance falls below agreed requirements.
• Work with Engineering and Quality teams to ensure suppliers meet technical, quality and specification requirements.

Cost Reduction and Continuous Improvement

• Actively pursue cost reduction initiatives within the assigned commodities, including cost reduction programmes with current suppliers and alternative supplier options.
• Plan and manage sourcing and cost reduction projects to deliver agreed outcomes within agreed timescales.
• Support value-engineering activities in collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing and Finance.
• Use ERP and supplier data to report on commodity cost, supplier performance and savings, and to identify improvement opportunities.
• Manage and develop a small team, setting clear objectives, responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Develop the commercial and technical capability of team members.
• Provide training to team members and undertake training as required.
• Actively contribute to achieving departmental goals and objectives.

Requirments:

• Degree in Business, Engineering, Materials, Supply Chain or a related discipline, or experience in a senior materials role within a manufacturing environment
• Proven experience of contract preparation
• Experience of sourcing from best-cost countries
• Computer literate, with proficiency in Excel
• Influencing and persuasive skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management and staff
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Good communication and team-working skills
• Willing to undertake and provide training as required
• Flexible and adaptable, with good attendance, timekeeping and disciplinary record
• Proven track record of procurement management within a high quality manufacturing environment.
• MBA or higher degree-level qualification
• Institute of purchasing qualification (e.g. CIPS)
• Advanced skills in supplier management and negotiation