Job Description

Freight Optimisation Lead - Global Supply Chain

Location:

Cheltenham, UK (Hybrid working)

Benefits:

27 days holiday plus Wellbeing day, Private Medical Insurance, Bonus scheme, Sharescheme, Enhanced pension plan, Life assurance, Discount scheme.

Position Overview:

Join our transforming global procurement team at an exciting time of change, where you can make a real difference. We are seeking a commercially astute Global Commodity Lead for inbound material freight, ideally with indirect commodity experience, to develop and implement strategies that reduce inbound freight costs and enhance supply chain resilience across global sites and all transport modes. This role will focus on delivering cost savings, driving efficiency, and ensuring robust supplier relationships, with opportunities to expand into broader indirect commodities.

Key Accountabilities:

Develop and implement Global strategies to optimize inbound freight cost and service, including inter-site transfers, while managing risks and reducing environmental impact Act as the main contact and expert for global inbound material freight sourcing, collaborating with Group entities to ensure best value and supplier selection. Negotiate contracts and pricing to secure optimal terms. Ensure compliance with company policies, ethics, and regulations Set and govern inbound freight policies, including an approval process for expedited and air freight. Assign process responsibilities and track savings with site Procurement Leaders and central team. Monitor expedited freight usage to identify trends and optimize processes. Build strong relationships with key suppliers for reliable service, value and innovation. Oversee supplier performance and drive improvements as needed Analyse the market to find new sourcing opportunities and manage risks.

Your previous experience is likely to include....

Proven experience in global freight tendering and sourcing, ideally complemented by broader indirect procurement and strategic sourcing expertise. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement global strategies that drive efficiency, cost reduction, and enhanced supply chain resilience. Proven experience in managing supplier relationships and negotiating contracts. Organizational Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively. Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills (in English). Ability to negotiate and liaise effectively with various stakeholders. Experience working within a matrix organisation.

Preferred experience and qualifications:



Experience working in a global procurement environment - Essential for navigating international supplier networks, compliance, and strategy execution. Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in logistics software and tools, such as SAP or other supply chain management systems. Ability to analyse complex data and generate reports. Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint) - Important for day-to-day operations, reporting, and stakeholder communication. Strong understanding of local and global market dynamics and trends - Supports strategic sourcing and risk mitigation. Attention to Detail: Keen attention to detail to ensure accuracy in documentation and processes. Strong problem-solving skills to address and resolve issues promptly. Experience in the manufacturing or industrial sector Professional certifications (or working towards) such as MCIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) or similar/equivalent. Project Management Qualification/experience a benefit (e.g. PMP)


The Steam Thermal Solutions business is one of three businesses within Spirax Group. Spirax Sarco and Gestra, are our two brands that form Steam Thermal Solutions and are global leaders in the supply of engineered solutions for the design, provision and maintenance of efficient industrial and commercial steam systems. Steam Thermal Solutions has global coverage across 67 operating units (called OpCos), organised into four Divisions: EMEA, APAC, Americas, Gestra.


Spirax Group is a FTSE100 and FTSE4Good multi-national industrial engineering Group with expertise in the control and management of steam, electric thermal solutions, peristaltic pumping and associated fluid technologies.


Our Purpose is to create sustainable value for all our stakeholders as we engineer a more efficient, safer and sustainable world. Our technologies play an essential role in critical industrial processes and industrial equipment across industries as diverse as Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology, Power Generation, Semiconductors and Healthcare. With customers in 165 countries, we provide the solutions that sit behind the production of many items used in daily life, from baked beans to mobile phones!


Our Purpose, supported by our inclusive culture and Values, unites us, guides our decisions and inspires us everywhere that we operate. We support our colleagues to make their difference for each other as well as customers, communities, suppliers, our planet and shareholders by creating a truly equitable working environment where everyone feels included.

Benefits

You will receive a competitive salary (and a discretionary bonus), flexible working and excellent benefits including 27 days holiday allowance (before bank holidays), 3 days' paid volunteering leave, comprehensive private healthcare, enhanced pension plan, life assurance, optional participation in a Share Ownership Plan, free onsite parking, flexible benefits, and access to a personal discounts' portal. We also offer a range of additional support and benefits through our Everyone is Included Group Inclusion Plan, detailed below.

Everyone is Included at Spirax Group

We are passionate about creating inclusive and equitable working cultures where everyone can be themselves and achieve their full potential. For us, that means supportive teams and strong relationships where everyone's contribution is valued - across social and cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, genders, gender identities, abilities, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and everything else that makes us human and unique.


We want everyone to be able to make their difference here, so we will always consider requests for flexible working.


We know that everyone needs some extra help from time to time too, so we have introduced a range of additional benefits through our Group Inclusion Commitments. These include gender-neutral parental leave, 15 days of extra paid caregiver leave, paid time off and support for anyone experiencing pregnancy loss or domestic abuse, menopause-friendly workplace principles and more. Learn more at https://www.spiraxgroup.com/en/life-at-spirax/our-inclusive-group/our-inclusion-commitments.


We are also a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you would like to apply using this scheme, please select this option in our application form or notify our recruitment partners.