At a glance

Full Job Description

A unique opportunity for a Commodity Manager with potential to quickly reach full ‘Purchasing Manager’ status to work in the dynamic and highly successful PC manufacturing division of RM, the UK’s leading provider of IT solutions to the education sector.

Based in Oxfordshire, the team of 20 procurement professionals spend over £110m annually on PC components (processors, hard drives, storage etc) and 3rd party IT products via 300 global suppliers. The effective management of this spend has a major impact on profitability and ensures that RM continually provides customers with high quality and timely products.

In this newly created role, you’ll manage the strategic procurement for a number of key commodities, lead the integration and ongoing management of the Spares Purchasing operation from a different business division and manage a small team of buyers. The role represents a great opportunity to expand commercial skills on an International stage in a highly visible and progressive role.

Key Responsibilities:

* Strategic: Work across RM to understand future trends and requirements. Use a wider picture and longer-term view to develop and implement appropriate sourcing strategies
* Supply Chain Management: Manage key supplier relationships, focusing on innovation and continuously improving supply chains. Manage the Supplier Performance Review process and supplier selection on key commodities. Meet KPIs and integrate and re-engineer the Spares Purchasing operation.
* Pricing: Benchmark global commodity purchasing to achieve best in class costs. Develop new sourcing strategies to deliver continued cost reductions and negotiate with suppliers
* Financial: Contribute to the annual Divisional Financial Plan. Manage the relevant Material Variance, Obsolescence and Accrual budgets and lead £1m P&L for the Spares business.
* Staff leadership: Lead and develop a small team of buyers, maintaining the purchasing group’s strong reputation for excellence

The Individual

• Of graduate calibre and CIPS qualified with significant strategic purchasing experience in a manufacturing or fast moving, high volume products-based industry.
• Previous experience of negotiating with overseas suppliers (ideally Far East), demonstrating strong cultural awareness and a nimbleness of approach
• Strong financial and operational exposure: Appreciation of balance sheets having previously managed cost centres. Sound understanding of critical KPIs and related factors in a manufacturing environment
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, sound commercial awareness tenacious and assertive approach and able to influence at all levels. Driven and energetic.
• Some previous supervisory or management experience would be advantageous. The desire to manage a team and reach purchasing manager level is mandatory
• Be prepared for 3 or 4 long haul business trips a year, particularly to the Far East

Why you should consider this role

• RM’s Hardware Solution Division has traditionally been a strong breeding ground for our most senior management, including our current CEO and COO
• Combine working in a finely tuned, successful and dynamic purchasing department, with the opportunity to lead the largely blank canvas that is the Spares operation
• Overseas travel and the chance to broaden International commercial exposure
• RM is a respected market-leader and was very recently awarded the title 'UK's Top IT Employer'. A clear identity, focused strategy and a strong, collaborative team-engendered culture where high calibre individuals are passionate about making a difference

RM is the UK’s leading provider of IT solutions to the education sector with 2000 staff and revenues exceeding £260m. To apply online visit rmcareers.co.uk and use the job reference ‘2119’. Relocation assistance could be provided if required.

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