Junior Strategic Procurement Manager

Wickes; Watford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive bonus

Save-as-you-earn scheme

Private Medical and Life Assurance

Enhanced contributory pension scheme

Colleague discount

Discount platform

Job summary

Wickes in Watford is seeking a Junior Strategic Procurement Manager to support GNFR and Services procurement through hands‑on tender work, benchmarking, and contract analysis to secure strong commercial terms while improving cash flow.

Based in Watford with UK travel, you will lead tender projects, drive cost savings, and collaborate with operational owners, suppliers, and Legal to resolve compliance issues and track deal progress.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of strategic procurement experience.
• Understanding of a store environment.
• Strong data analysis skills.
• Excellent collaboration across cross-functional teams.
• CIPS qualification would be beneficial but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead tender and benchmarking projects across GNFR and services.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and improve service levels.
• Create business cases for proposal authorisation.
• Negotiate updated terms with Wickes Legal when needed.
• Manage supplier relationships and monitor KPIs.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Data analysis

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Driving licence

Job description

We’re looking for a Junior Strategic Procurement Manager to support Goods Not For Resale (GNFR) and Services procurement through hands‑on tender work, benchmarking, and contract analysis to secure strong commercial terms. Improve cash flow and lock in cost savings by monitoring supplier compliance and negotiating payment terms - partnering directly with operational owners, suppliers, and Legal to resolve compliance issues and track deal progress. As a Junior Strategic Procurement Manager, you will play a key part in setting and implementing best practise across the business. This role is based in Watford with UK travel as required.

What you’ll be doing:

Lead tender and benchmarking projects across GNFR, moving between commercial contract analysis and leading full project delivery and final supplier approval.

Identify opportunities across the business to drive cost savings and/or improve service.

Create business cases for proposal authorisation.

Where variations from Wickes standard terms are needed or compliance issues are identified, work with suppliers and Wickes Legal team to agree updated terms.

Maintain and manage the relationships with suppliers. This can include:

• Organising and attending QBRs
• Reviewing and negotiating CPI requests
• Organising contract renewals
• Measuring and monitoring supplier performance KPIs to ensure contracted deliverables are being met

Updating policies and documenting internal processes to help with compliance across the business.

Influencing across the organisation to implement best practices and achieve sustainable results.

Assisting Category Managers in Goods For Resale and Goods Not For Resale on strategy, contracts, and best practice.

What we’re looking for:

Ideally of graduate calibre, we expect you to have at least 2 years of strategic procurement experience to be successful in the role and have an understanding of a store environment. We’re looking for proven influencing skills across all levels of a business and strong data analysis skills. As well as this we’re looking for:

Exceptional collaboration skills, working in cross‑functional teams.

Strong problem solving skills.

Good knowledge of Google/Microsoft office applications.

Adaptable, resilient, organised and driven including self motivation.

A full UK driving licence.

CIPS qualification would be beneficial but not essential.

What can we offer you:

You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us. We also have an early careers network to support you if you’re in your first few years of your career.

We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:

• Competitive bonus
• Save‑as‑you‑earn scheme
• Private Medical and Life Assurance
• Enhanced contributory pension scheme
• Colleague discount
• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme

Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support.

By giving you the support you need to do well at work, and the flexibility to make life work for you. We are giving you a career that doesn’t put your life on hold. Where you can be yourself, do your best work, and make a positive difference every day.

About Us:

Wickes is a multi‑channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues. But it is our culture that is considered our best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.

“We aim to create an inclusive workplace with colleagues’ wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

We’re a Disability Confident Employer and committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from disabled people and are committed to providing an accessible recruitment process and workplace for everyone. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments, please let us know here.