Commodity Manager

Description Are you looking for opportunities to work on high profile projects in a global procurement team, alongside experts from the UK, Europe and Japan? Come and join the fastest growing rail business in the world! Hitachi Rail is a fully integrated, global provider of rail solutions across rolling stock, signaling, service & maintenance, digital technology and turnkey. With a presence in 38 countries across three continents and over 13,000 employees, our mission is to contribute to society through the continuous development of superior rail transport solutions. We are working to Inspire the Next - and this is your chance to be part of it. Your new role In this exciting new role you will play an integral role in enable Hitachi Rail to perform its Rolling Stock Manufacture, Service and Maintenance activities, by managing the procurement of a portfolio of direct commodities from source-to-contract. Specifically, you will be responsible for the following deliverables: Strategy and Planning * Develop and agree the Category Plan for a portfolio of commodities * Setting project procurement plans in line with the agreed category strategy / plan and executing projects accordingly. Source-to-Contract * Identification, approval and set-up of potential suitable suppliers for the commodity portfolio. * Setting sourcing strategy for new contract opportunities. * Run sourcing events (RFX, e-auction etc.) based on agreed sourcing strategy. * Manage source to contract activities in line with Hitachi staged approval process. * Evaluate supplier proposals and provide recommendations to the business for supplier appointment. * Contract drafting, negotiation, approval and award. Contract Enablement * Support Materials & Vendor set-up in ERP/MRP systems across Hitachi Rail global entities * Lead contract handover reviews with manufacturing / service & maintenance teams and Contract Managers (specific Commodities) Contract Management * Escalation point for contract claim negotiation * Support business stakeholders in all exceptional cases of supplier non-performance * Lead contract handover reviews with MFG / S&M teams * Closely engaged with Operational procurement teams to ensure on-time on-budget delivery of materials and services Supply Base Management * Conduct supplier performance reviews * Conduct supplier risk management activity (financial, capacity reviews etc.) * Identification and management of value chain improvement initiatives About you * Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills * Commodity management experience (although not specifically in Rail) * Able to negotiate directly with suppliers for all contract provisions * Experience in a manufacturing or service & maintenance environment * Good working knowledge of SAP including PO, Material Master, PIR, Contract management * Strong understanding of Contract law and contract drafting for different types of Product / Services. * Appreciation of cost saving methodologies e.g. value engineering, logistics optimisation. * Sound commercial acumen * Good knowledge of Excel and other Microsoft office packages * Experience and understanding of Contract Lifecycle Management tools * Flexibility for some international travel Qualifications * Educated to degree level * Member of Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or appropriate professional institute or relevant experience. Why Hitachi Rail? At Hitachi Rail you will find a passionate and collaborative environment. We operate according to our values of Harmony, Sincerity and Pioneering Spirit. As such, we work closely as a team and empower our colleagues to take ownership and become creative in our pursuit of excellence. We take pride in the contribution we make to society and we always act with integrity and fairness towards our customers, suppliers and colleagues.