Group Procurement Research Manager recruitment

We are currently recruiting for an exciting opportunity within the Procurement function of United Biscuits, based at Hayes in Middlesex. The Group Procurement Research Manager is responsible for providing both fundamental, technical analysis and strategic recommendations to manage our commodity risks across all prime material groups, and representing the Procurement Function across all its operations worldwide, providing board level advice. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Recognising the requirements of UB, the role holder will adhere to the UB recommendation process, initiating a buying recommendation to senior management (Chairman/CEO/ COO/ OSD/ GPD), based on technical and supply and demand factors analysed. 

• Key stakeholder in decision making process of cover decisions (UB’s financial commitment to buying commodities on exchange traded markets).

• Responsible for strategic research and feedback across entire procurement spend on behalf of buyers to facilitate year on year cost base reduction, achieving Purchase Price Variance targets. 

• Provide strategic support at UBNE Board meetings and senior team meetings at Cake Company.  Liaise with the Director of Market Strategy and Planning on a monthly basis to provide market intelligence to enable price maintenance or increase rational for prime material spend.

• Reviews and controls final buying recommendations received from buyers, before presentation to Chairman/ CEO/ COO/ OSD and PD.

• Develop strategies on financial risk management with the commodities and other key prime material spends which may involve the use of futures, SWAPS, options and structured products.

• Work with Commodity to identify options strategy to buy options on futures contracts (the obligation to buy or sell commodities in the future).

• Monitors markets on a real time basis to ensure UB benefits from any fall in market prices. 

• Manage, develop and motivate Commodity Analyst as a high performing individual and recognised expert in technical analysis..

• Maintain a strong, positive “can do” culture that supports individual and collective delivery of urgent and substantial cost base reduction

• To effectively manage external information providers across key spends Identify and implement new research techniques to increase UB’s market knowledge and understanding of commodity markets, to enable better decision-making.

• Work with Tax and Treasury Controller to promote best hedging practice for UB’s currency requirements eg hedging dollars at most preferential rate to gain competitive advantage.

• Provide specific research to the Chairman/ CEO on topics as requested.

Candidate Specification

• Degree level qualification essential

• Function knowledge and experience of financial markets essential

• CIPS desirable

• Geographical sourcing desirable

• Food sector knowledge and experience desirable

• Experience of worldwide scope essential

• People/team management essential