Commodity Manager
Location: Telford
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: Hybrid - up to 1 day per week working from home
About Us
The Whittan Group is the largest manufacturer of steel storage products in the United Kingdom. Through a portfolio of market-leading brands, we design, manufacture, and install innovative storage solutions for commercial and industrial environments across the UK and Europe.
As we continue to grow, we are looking for a talented Commodity Manager to join our Procurement team and to be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies across a diverse portfolio. This role drives cost optimisation, supplier performance, risk mitigation, and long-term value creation across the supply base.
About the Role
You'll work in a fast-paced, engineering-led environment. Partnering closely with internal teams and suppliers to optimise cost, ensure quality, and deliver long-term value to the business.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
* Develop and implement sourcing strategies across key commodity areas including:
o Steel sections and tubing
o Plastics and injection moulding
o Fasteners and engineered components
o Paints and coatings (wet & dry systems)
o Outsourced finishing and roll forming
* Lead end-to-end sourcing activities including RFQs, negotiations and contract awards
* Conduct market analysis, benchmarking and cost modelling to identify savings opportunities
Supplier Management
* Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers aligned with business needs
* Monitor and drive supplier performance across cost, quality and delivery
* Build and maintain strong, strategic supplier relationships
Cost & Commercial Management
* Deliver cost reduction and value improvement initiatives
* Apply should-cost modelling and value engineering techniques
* Monitor commodity markets (particularly steel and related materials) and mitigate risk
* Manage contracts, pricing agreements and commercial exposure
Risk & Compliance
* Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks
* Support business continuity planning
* Ensure supplier compliance with environmental, ethical and regulatory standards
Essential:
* Proven experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or commodity management
* Experience with cost modelling, value analysis and data-driven decision-making
* Experience using ERP systems (e.g. SAP)
* CIPS qualification or equivalent
Desirable:
* MCIPS qualification or equivalent
* Experience within a commodity buyer or strategic souring role
* Advanced Excel skills (analysis, reporting, modelling)
* Experience managing global supplier relationships
* Strong understanding of market trends and commodity pricing dynamics
Why Join The Whittan Group?
* Be part of the UK's leading steel storage manufacturer
* Work with a diverse range of products and commodities
* Influence strategic procurement decisions at scale
* Collaborate with expert teams across engineering and operations
* Opportunity to drive real commercial impact in a growing business