About this opportunity

At Crown, we are looking for an exceptional Indirect Sourcing Manager to lead procurement and sourcing activities for Transport & Warehousing and other categories in the UK and internationally.

This is a rare opportunity to take the helm of Sourcing operations for the two countries in scope with the potential for future growth into managing Sourcing for new territories across Europe. 

The approximate total indirect spend across the European regional business is over $200m.

Indirect Sourcing at Crown is critical to our manufacturing process, with transport and warehousing being of paramount importance. 

In addition, the role is responsible for sourcing and negotiations for other categories such as capex, MRO, secondary packaging, consumables, and plant-based support and service functions such as catering, cleaning, and security.

This role comprises a unique combination of hands-on, operational Sourcing and negotiating, as well as the opportunity to identify and drive strategic improvements as an individual and autonomous contributor to the team and the wider function.  

General Requirements

• To be based in either our Peterborough or Carlisle manufacturing plants, or alternatively at our R&D site in Wantage, near Oxford
• To be present at the Peterborough and Carlisle UK plants and at our Kechnec, Slovakia plant on a regular basis 
• To manage the hands-on, operational aspects of the role autonomously, this is a standalone position with no direct reports
• To embrace the strategic elements of the role that provide you with the opportunity to make continuous improvements  

Required Education, Experience and Skills

• Degree qualified in a relevant subject
• CIPS or logistics qualifications are a plus
• Experience of transportation and other indirect procurement categories ideally gained in an industrial environment
• Experience of sourcing, negotiating contracts, and managing suppliers for transport and logistics operations is key
• Ability to bridge the gap between plant operations and sourcing strategy, being as comfortable on the shop floor as in the boardroom
• Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels Strategic thinker who can see the big picture
• Detail-oriented professional who can analyse every angle to extract value and support decision-making