Commodity Manager - Polymer

Genuit Group; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Genuit Group in Maidstone, United Kingdom, is seeking an experienced Category Manager to develop and deliver category strategies across a defined portfolio of spend, ensuring security of supply, cost competitiveness, and robust contractual frameworks across multiple sites.

You will lead sourcing decisions, manage supplier relationships, and influence stakeholders to align with production requirements and operational performance, with a focus on polymers resins and additives.

Qualifications

• Proven category/commodity management experience in manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation and contract management track record.
• Experience managing multi-site or regional spend.
• High commercial acumen with analytical mindset.
• Ability to influence stakeholders in a matrix environment.
• Knowledge of procurement, supply chain, and contract frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver short-, medium-, and long-term category strategies while analysing market dynamics, cost drivers, and supply risks.
• Lead commercial negotiations (pricing, terms) and ensure robust contractual frameworks across suppliers.
• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships with performance management (Quality, Cost, Delivery).
• Identify and implement risk mitigation, contingency plans, and supply continuity across sites.

Skills

Category management

Commercial negotiations

Contract management

Multi-site experience

Stakeholder influence

ERP/MRP familiarity

Analytical mindset

Travel flexibility

Education

Manufacturing procurement experience

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Role Overview: This role is responsible for developing and delivering category strategies across a defined portfolio of spend, ensuring security of supply, cost competitiveness, and robust contractual frameworks across multiple sites. It plays a key part in driving procurement value by managing supplier relationships, leading commercial negotiations, and influencing stakeholders to align with broader business objectives. With a focus on polymer resins and additives, the position requires active management of commodity market volatility, key raw material cost drivers, and supply risks. The role ensures procurement strategies are closely aligned with production requirements, product formulations, and operational performance. Operating within a strategic, multi-site environment, the role demands strong commercial judgement, in-depth market insight, and the ability to work effectively within a matrix organisation. What you’ll be doing Category Strategy and Ownership

Category Strategy and Ownership

• Develop and deliver short-, medium-, and long-term category strategies while analysing market dynamics, cost drivers, and supply risks
• Track commodity indices to inform pricing and negotiations
• Lead sourcing decisions aligned to business and technical needs
• Maintain supplier segmentation and sourcing roadmap

Commercial & Contract Management

• Lead commercial negotiations (pricing, terms, protections) & Ensure robust contractual frameworks across suppliers
• Drive total cost of ownership improvements
• Manage contract lifecycle, renewals, and re-tenders

Supplier Management & Performance

• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships while Implementing performance management (Quality, Cost, Delivery)
• Lead supplier reviews, improvements, and escalations
• Identify and onboard alternative suppliers

Risk & Supply Chain Resilience

• Identify and mitigate supply and operational risks while Ensure continuity of supply across sites
• Develop contingency plans for key suppliers
• Monitor market volatility and capacity constraints

Stakeholder Management & Influence

• Act as commercial lead across multiple sites
• Influence senior stakeholders across functions
• Challenge demand, specifications, and sourcing approaches
• Drive procurement process compliance and governance

Performance & Delivery

• Deliver against KPIs (cost savings, performance, contract coverage)
• Improve payment terms and cost efficiency
• Provide clear reporting and category insights

Continuous Improvement

• Drive process improvements and efficiencies
• Support standardisation across sites and categories

• Proven category/commodity management experience in manufacturing
• Strong commercial negotiation and contract management track record
• Experience managing multi-site or regional spend
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical mindset
• Ability to influence stakeholders in a matrix environment
• Knowledge of procurement, supply chain, and contract frameworks
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing processes
• Able to manage priorities, travel, and work autonomously with results focus
• This role sits within the Water Management Division of Genuit Group, encompassing a portfolio of well-established businesses including Polypipe Building Products, Polypipe Civils, and Polypipe Building Services.