Senior 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, signalling, 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 manage procurement activities of a portfolio of direct commodities within a Rolling Stock Manufacture, Service and Maintenance category! You'll also have line management responsibility of Commodity or Contract Managers within the team. Specifically, you will be responsible for the following deliverables: Strategy and Planning * Develop Procurement Strategy (3-5 year view) for assigned commodities including * Spend & Demand Analysis * Supply Market Analysis * Define Commodity Plan (1-3 year view) * Setting project procurement plans in line with the agreed category strategy / plan and executing sourcing 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. * Supports team members during contract negotiation, providing commercial leadership. * Contract Enablement * 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 * Direct commodity management experience gained in Rail or a similar engineering business * 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 * Proven ability to work in cross-functional teams * 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. * Strong commercial acumen and data presentation skills with an ability to influence and persuade stakeholders * Excellent knowledge of Excel and other Microsoft office packages * Experience and understanding of Contract Lifecycle Management tools * Enjoys challenges and problem solving * Flexibility with regards to UK & European/International travel required, particularly between UK sites (i.e. London, Newton Aycliffe and other locations), frequency up to weekly 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. We offer a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement as well as a generous benefits package. This includes a pension scheme with contributions up to 9%, health insurance, and many more perks for you to choose from within a flexible plan that will meet your specific needs and lifestyle. If you like the sound of the above and feel energised by the idea of joining a great brand at a moment of exciting expansion, please apply now. We look forward to hearing from you!