Commercial Director

Job Description

Job Description:

The Commercial Director will:

• Contribute to achieving the annual operating plan margin targets by ensuring that raw materials are purchased and delivered to specification on time and at the lowest cost.

• Manage the cost, quality and delivery reliability of suppliers

• Contribute to and be a key part of the UK Leadership Team in delivering both functional and most importantly agreed business targets.

What are we looking for?

• Currently has senior commodity purchasing responsibility in a blue-chip organisation.

• A thorough understanding of the working of the soft commodity markets within the EU agribusiness sector. This would include supply/demand factors for the key crops.

• A successful track record of the use of Risk Management tools to manage price volatility.

• An understanding of animal diet formulation and its importance in determining purchasing values, length of commodity cover and cost-effective nutrient delivery.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking ability. Has a “what do the numbers say?” approach to problem solving. Numerate, financially literate, with sound commercial sense and a bottom-line orientation.

• At ease in a small company with clear organisational focus but which is part of a major corporation. Capable of working effectively in a small team.

• Strong communication skills with other departments

What will be your key responsibilities?

• To recommend and implement raw material cover policy and to link this with appropriate risk management tools when required, in order to achieve planned margins and to contribute to delivery of superior competitive value.

• To track performance of key purchased raw materials against market values on a monthly basis.

• Formulations – To ensure finished product specification and raw material limits are justified by the R&D team from the commercial challenge and that the unit cost of nutrients can be defended.

• To work closely with Operations and Quality to ensure quality products at the lowest cost, ensuring that all raw materials entering the mill are within the buying specification.

• Work with other departments to ensure accurate scheduling of raw materials to meet demand.

• To be responsible for the total performance of suppliers, ensuring that product is always available at the required price and quality.

• To proactively monitor stock variances and value write downs, in order to minimise this area of margin leakage.

• To lead and champion the annual Do It Best process and deliver the annual target from COGS/formulation/stock loss savings.

• To represent Mars Horsecare UK on agricultural industry bodies and to keep the business informed of issues.

• To make a major contribution to the UK Leadership Team, working to ensure that the output is greater than the sum of the parts.

• To be the sustainability champion within the business and to identify a medium term plan for reducing our carbon footprint, in terms of raw material ingredient choice and packaging.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.