Feedstock & Commercial Manager

Role Purpose

The Feedstock Manager plays a key role in ensuring that a sustainable and reliable feedstock supply strategy is in place for the facility. They will play a key role in the delivery of the production plan through feedstock sourcing in a flexible manner, to ensure the needs of the plant are met.

The Feedstock Manager will work closely with the Production Manager and Plastics Processing Manager to ensure site inventory levels are managed in line with throughput needs and permitted storage capacity limits. They will be responsible for ensuring all quality specifications required for feedstock are met by the suppliers and will work closely with the Quality Manager to ensure full compliance.

The Feedstock Manager will, if necessary, facilitate upstream auditing of suppliers for quality and ESG purposes. They will liaise with the production team on a regular basis to review plant performance and the impact of feedstock quality on uptime, availability, and quality. They will monitor market developments to ensure the optimum feedstock type and sourcing strategy is employed by the facility and ensure the team responds with agility when faced with changes in market conditions.

Creating and maintaining good relationships with suppliers is critical to build the reputation of the facility as an attractive client.

Key Duties

Build and Commissioning Phase

• Source materials: Identify and develop new sources for waste plastics, such as baled plastic scrap, flake, or regrind, from waste management companies, brokers, and commercial and industrial sources.

• Supplier relationships: Build and maintain strong, strategic partnerships with new and existing feedstock suppliers. Use industry experience to create mutually beneficial partnership options.

• Contract negotiation: Secure competitive and profitable long-term supply contracts. Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, and quality specifications to manage costs and secure a reliable supply.

• Market analysis: Monitor and analyze global market trends for waste plastics and recycled resins. Stay informed on key market drivers and material pricing to inform procurement decisions and identify opportunities.

Operational Phase

• Logistics coordination: Work with logistics and transportation teams to plan and schedule the delivery of feedstock to the facility, ensuring timely arrivals and efficient utilization of resources.

• Inventory management: Manage feedstock inventory levels, create rolling forecasts, and coordinate with the plant management team to meet production targets without creating shortages or excess stock.

• Quality control: Implement and manage sampling and inspection regimes to verify that all incoming feedstock meets quality standards and specifications required for the recycling process.

• Process improvement: Work with internal teams, including R&D and manufacturing, to understand the requirements for different recycling processes and qualify new suppliers and material streams.

• Regulatory compliance: Ensure all feedstock sourcing and procurement activities comply with relevant environmental legislation, regulations (e.g., Waste Transfer Notes), and internal certifications (e.g., ISCC+).

• Budgeting: Develop and manage the procurement budget, track feedstock usage and expenditures, and contribute to overall financial reporting.

• Administrative oversight: Oversee the administrative tasks related to supplier and delivery management, ensuring that all paperwork and compliance requirements are completed accurately.

• Assist the Head of HSE & Assurance around publicity relating to positive environmental contribution.

Key Accountabilities

Build, Commissioning and Operational Phases

• Securing profitable feedstock: The Feedstock Manager is ultimately accountable for competitively and profitably securing the raw waste plastic materials needed for the company’s recycling operations.

• Ensuring continuous supply: Maintaining a robust pipeline of feedstock is a critical accountability to prevent production interruptions and support business growth.

• Optimizing costs: The role is responsible for driving value and bottom-line impact by securing materials at the best possible price and terms.

• Promoting sustainability: The Feedstock Manager is a key player in achieving circular economy and sustainability targets by ensuring a reliable supply of recycled materials.

• Risk mitigation: By analyzing market trends and managing a diversified supplier base, the Feedstock Manager mitigates supply risks associated with market volatility and other disruptions.

• Timely reporting of feedstock trends and potential supply challenges.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience: Several years of experience in strategic procurement, supply chain management, or a related commercial role. In certain sectors, relevant industry experience (e.g., waste, agriculture, chemicals) is essential.

• Technical expertise: Knowledge of the relevant industry and its associated processes, such as plastics recycling, chemical production, waste handling and processing.

• Negotiation skills: Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills to manage contracts and build relationships with suppliers.

• Strategic thinking: The ability to understand dynamic market conditions, assess risk, and think strategically about long-term opportunities.

• Systems proficiency: Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like SAP and proficiency in Microsoft Office.

• Other key competencies: Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and commercial awareness.

Key Competencies

(included but not limited to)

• Commercial understanding of plastic recycling processes.

• Effective performance & competency management.

• Analytical problem-solving, root cause analysis approach.

• Effective negotiating.

• Project and time management.

• Collaboration and communication.