Commodity Manager

Manpower UK; Witcombe; On-site; GBP 99,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Manpower UK is seeking an experienced Commodity Manager for aerospace to lead procurement strategy across key commodities in a regulated manufacturing environment. This six-month role requires transforming technical requirements into commercially robust sourcing decisions while coordinating with Engineering, Quality, and Programme teams.

Responsibilities include multi-year strategy development, spend analytics, supplier negotiations, LTAs, and supplier transfer initiatives.

Qualifications

• Degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering or equivalent.
• Significant experience in commodity management, strategic sourcing, or procurement in aerospace or regulated manufacturing.
• Proven track record delivering cost savings, leading sourcing initiatives, and negotiating complex supplier agreements.
• Experience managing supplier transitions or transfer-of-work projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement multi-year commodity strategies aligned to business objectives and demand forecasts.
• Analyse spend, market conditions, capacity, cost drivers, and supply risks to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Lead supplier sourcing activities including RFI/RFQ/RFP processes, bid evaluation and supplier selection.
• Present sourcing strategies and business cases to senior stakeholders.
• Lead negotiations using should-cost analysis, benchmarking, cost modelling and market intelligence.
• Deliver competitive pricing, improved terms and total cost of ownership reductions.
• Negotiate LTAs to secure supply, capacity, and pricing stability.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams for qualification, FAI, and production validation.

Skills

Supply chain

Procurement

Aerospace

Negotiation

Project management

Excel

ERP systems

Education

Degree in Supply Chain

Tools

ERP software

Job description

Commodity Manager - Aerospace

Location: Gloucester
Duration: 6 Months
Rate: £85 per hour

We are seeking an experienced Commodity Manager to lead procurement strategy and supplier performance across key aerospace commodities including machining, raw materials, electro-mechanical components, valves and sensors, bearings, and composites.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing commodity strategies that deliver sustainable improvements in cost, quality, delivery, and supply continuity. Working closely with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Finance, and Programme teams, you will transform technical requirements into commercially robust sourcing decisions across a global supplier base.

Key Responsibilities

Commodity Strategy & Sourcing

• Develop and implement multi-year commodity strategies aligned to business objectives and demand forecasts.
• Analyse spend, market conditions, capacity, cost drivers, and supply risks to identify cost-saving and value opportunities.
• Lead supplier sourcing activities including supplier identification, RFI/RFQ/RFP processes, bid evaluation, and supplier selection.
• Present sourcing strategies and business cases to senior stakeholders.

Commercial Negotiation & Cost Management

• Lead complex commercial negotiations using should-cost analysis, benchmarking, cost modelling, and market intelligence.
• Deliver competitive pricing, improved payment terms, and total cost of ownership reductions.
• Monitor supplier pricing, inflation, raw material trends, and foreign exchange impacts.

Long-Term Agreements (LTAs)

• Negotiate and manage LTAs that secure supply, capacity, and pricing stability.
• Structure agreements including volume commitments, indexation mechanisms, productivity targets, and gain-share arrangements.

Transfer of Work

• Lead supplier transfer and work migration projects from planning through implementation.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to achieve qualification requirements, First Article Inspection (FAI), production validation, and customer approvals.
• Manage project timelines, risks, costs, and stakeholder communications.

Supplier Performance & Risk Management

• Manage supplier performance across quality, cost, and delivery metrics.
• Lead corrective actions, recovery plans, and supplier development initiatives.
• Assess and mitigate risks relating to capacity, financial stability, supply continuity, geopolitical factors, logistics, and ESG compliance.
• Maintain supplier and commodity risk registers and contingency plans.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Engineering, or equivalent experience/CIPS qualification.
• Significant experience within commodity management, strategic sourcing, or procurement in aerospace or another highly regulated manufacturing sector.
• Proven track record delivering cost savings, leading sourcing initiatives, and negotiating complex supplier agreements.
• Experience managing supplier transitions or transfer-of-work projects.
• Strong understanding of should-cost analysis, total cost of ownership (TCO), contract management, and supplier risk management.
• Working knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, supplier qualification, and FAI requirements.
• Strong project management, analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Advanced Excel and ERP system proficiency.

Desirable

• International sourcing experience.
• Knowledge of CNC machining, composites, bearings, valves and sensors, or electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity with AS9100, Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Value Engineering methodologies.
• PRINCE2 or equivalent project management qualification.

Occasional domestic and international travel will be required to support supplier assessments, negotiations, development activities, and transfer-of-work programmes.