Lead Procurement Manager - Distribution and Fulfilment

Tesco UK; Digswell; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail and technology company is seeking a Lead Procurement Manager to oversee logistics and distribution in the UK. This role involves leading a team, managing critical sourcing events, and negotiating supplier contracts. Candidates should possess strong commercial skills, interpersonal capabilities, and established procurement experience, particularly within distribution or fleet management. The position offers a hybrid working model promoting flexibility.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Inclusive and accessible recruitment process

Qualifications

• Experience in a large-scale organization, running sourcing events and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Consistent track record of delivering change and bringing new concepts to life.
• High level of interest in vehicle technologies and environmental initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop sub-category plans aligned to Category Plans.
• Deliver savings targets through robust sourcing events.
• Guide team in delivery of cost savings plans.

Skills

Commercial competence and negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

Cross-functional working

Stakeholder engagement

Supplier relationship management

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for a Lead Procurement Manager overseeing the largest logistics and distribution in the UK! In this role, you will manage a team of two direct reports within the Fleet category, working closely with internal colleagues and external partners to meet Tesco Group requirements covering Tesco, Booker Retail and Cash & Carry, One Stop and Best Food Logistics. You and your team will drive value for money and efficiencies throughout the procurement life cycle, while partnering with colleagues to ensure Tesco maintains a robust sourcing strategy balancing the needs of the business, health and safety requirements, legal compliance, advancing technology, and environmental challenges.

As Lead Procurement Manager, you’ll not only lead, develop, and support your team but also take an active role in the day-to-day operations. Alongside shaping sub-category plans and inspiring innovative thinking, you’ll personally manage critical sourcing events, supplier negotiations, and contract processes, ensuring best value and compliance through your direct involvement.

Responsibilities

• Leading, developing, creating and delivering sub-category plans aligned to Category Plans, encouraging innovative thinking and adoption of emerging industry technologies, and helping Tesco achieve its environmental targets in collaboration with various cross-functional colleagues.
• Delivering high savings targets through robust sourcing events, ensuring that suppliers meet all operational requirements and provide the best value for Tesco, in alignment with category plans covering both Capex and Opex spend.
• Guiding your team in the delivery of cost savings plans that contribute to Save to Invest targets, consistently tracking and reporting on savings with forecast accuracy, and ensuring adherence to agreed processes.
• Managing the creation of RFP/RFI’s/e-auction through to conclusion, with a focus on maintaining open and fair competition throughout the process.
• Fostering strong working relationships internally and supporting your team in developing new and existing supplier relationships to create greater value across the organization.
• Reviewing existing and potential new suppliers, assessing their suitability to supply Tesco Group, minimizing risk, optimizing service, and ensuring strong supplier relationship management (SRM).
• Overseeing contract creation, review, and negotiation, and acting as the point of contact for contract-related matters.
• Providing opportunities for individual development within your team by exposing them to fast-paced transformational projects.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial competence and negotiation skills.
• Great interpersonal skills and experience of cross-functional working and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience of working in a large-scale organization, running sourcing events and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Consistent track record of delivering change through influencing and challenging the norm, as well as bringing new concepts, innovation and ideas to life.
• Continual improvement mindset.
• Ability to influence senior colleagues.
• Supplier relationship and workload management skills.
• High level of interest in vehicle technologies, motor industry and environmental initiatives, keeping up to date with market innovations.
• Established procurement/buying experience preferably within distribution/fleet.

You might know us as a supermarket, technology company or even for our award-winning mobile network. Truth is, we’re all of those things, and much more. Our colleagues work with one goal in mind, helping to make every day a little better for our customers, colleagues and communities all over the world. No two customers are the same, neither are our colleagues.

At Tesco, we champion a balance that lets you thrive both in and out of work. Spend 60% of your week collaborating with colleagues at our office locations or local sites and the rest remotely. Whether you're just kicking off your career, juggling passions, or navigating big life events, we're here to support you. We always welcome a conversation about flexible working, so talk to us throughout your application about how we can support.

We're proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Leader, where everyone’s welcome. That’s why we commit to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need support with your application, click here for more information. And if you're interested in joining our team but don't tick every box, don't let that hold you back from applying.