Lead Procurement Manager - Corporate Services

Tesco UK; Digswell; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail corporation based in the UK is seeking a Head of Corporate Services Procurement to lead procurement activities related to various services including training and consultancy. This role requires over 8 years of procurement experience and strong strategic negotiation skills. The ideal candidate will collaborate with senior stakeholders to manage supplier relationships and ensure compliance with procurement policies. This position presents an opportunity to drive innovation and implement effective sourcing strategies.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of strong procurement experience.
• Previous management of Corporate Services Categories.
• Ability to lead large-scale projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in procuring training and supplier services.
• Negotiate contracts focusing on value and efficiency.
• Manage the end-to-end procurement process.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and suppliers.
• Support compliance with procurement policies.

Skills

Strong negotiation skills

Category Planning skills

Collaboration with senior leadership

Attention to detail

Resilience and adaptability

Education

CIPS qualified at level 4 (diploma)

Job description

Overview

As head of the Corporate Services Procurement team, you will oversee procurement activities related to Training & Capability, Insurable Risk, Travel, Consultancy & Professional Services, Global Mobility, Benefits & Reward, and Health & Wellness. Your remit covers procurement across Tesco Group UK and Central Europe, as well as opportunities for synergy with Group Affiliates.

This position offers a valuable opportunity to join the Global Procurement Team and provide leadership for the Corporate Services division. In collaboration with senior business leaders, you will play a pivotal role in strategically aligning contracts with future initiatives, maintaining Tesco’s leadership in delivering innovative products and services to both customers and colleagues.

The successful candidate will deliver key performance metrics and industry insights to stakeholders, supporting operational excellence, change initiatives, and innovation. You will facilitate commercial negotiations and manage legal agreements, providing robust support to stakeholders when engaging new or existing suppliers, and maintain effective supplier relationships and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and support to the corporate services team in procuring colleague training, subscriptions, memberships, charitable donations, and event suppliers.
• Negotiate contracts for the supply of these services with a focus on value and efficiency whilst balancing and managing risk (Inflation, Cyber Security, Supply Chain, Data Privacy) in an ever evolving market.
• Collaborate with senior corporate stakeholders across Tesco and its subsidiaries to offer contractual guidance, sourcing strategies, project delivery support, and robust supplier relationship management.
• Manage and lead the end-to-end procurement process for both Opex and Capex projects.
• Work alongside functional teams and technology specialists to define go-to-market strategies for new contracts, identify optimal commercial models, and facilitate RFP/RFQ activities.
• Demonstrate strong awareness of key corporate supply markets with comprehensive procurement expertise across various categories.
• Possess contract sourcing and category management experience.
• Build productive working relationships with partners through influence and constructive challenge to support, endorse, and implement sub‑category plans aligned with overall procurement strategies, achieving business savings and fostering innovation.
• Develop and deliver sub‑category plans that align with broader category objectives by collaborating innovatively with cross‑functional teams.
  • Proactively minimise revenue and capital costs through effective utilisation of tools, streamlined processes, and best practice application.
• Drive competitive advantage by executing rigorous end-to-end tenders, negotiations, and eAuctions, making informed decisions based on total cost of ownership analysis.
• Promote performance, best value, and ongoing innovation from key suppliers through structured supplier relationship management, including thorough contract oversight from award to implementation and continuous performance evaluation.
• Support the organisation in achieving compliance with legal, ethical, and safety procurement policies, demonstrating integrity and sound judgement at all times.

Qualifications

• CIPS qualified at level 4 (diploma) preferred but not compulsory.
• 8 Years+ strong procurement experience.
• Previous Procurement management of Corporate Services Categories.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience running sourcing events.
• Adaptable in a constantly evolving environment; resilience & willingness to challenge.
• Able to collaborate well and build solid working relationships with peers and senior leadership across different teams.
• Ability to demonstrate strong written, verbal communication and presentation skills to all levels of seniority and rigors within the organisation.
• Category Planning skills, capability to build and complete strategies.
• Capability to lead sophisticated large-scale projects, driving innovation and procedure through others.
• Excellent attention to detail and using data to drive business decisions at a senior level.