Procurement Manager

Funky Pigeon; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Procurement Manager to enhance their procurement strategies and supplier relationships. The role involves managing the tender process, optimizing value, and leading negotiations. Ideal candidates will have significant procurement experience and strong negotiation skills, with a hybrid working model available.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

4 pm Friday finish

25 days holiday plus birthday off

Company pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Annual bonus based on performance

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of procurement experience.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Experience in indirect categories for Goods and Services.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end tender processes and supplier relationships.
• Optimize value through stakeholder engagement.
• Lead projects and contract negotiations.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical ability

Commercial acumen

Communication

Education

CIPS qualifications

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

Job description

At WHSmith, our people are at the heart of everything we do. They go the extra mile for our customers and enable our growth. Our Procurement team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing to do their best work.

The role of a Procurement Manager is to promote Group Procurement by delivering high standards through consulting, influencing internally and externally, and implementing effective procurement strategies that optimize total value across the wider group. You will provide category expertise, working as part of the Group Procurement Indirect team responsible for buying Goods Not For Resale (GNFR) and Services on behalf of the WH Smith Group. This role reports to a Senior Procurement Manager.

What you will be doing:

• Rationalising and developing the supplier base
• Planning and managing categories tactically and strategically to incorporate UK, European, and International sourcing strategies
• Optimising total value by liaising with stakeholders/budget holders to ensure goals and targets are understood and facilitated by effective procurement delivery
• Managing the end-to-end tender process (RFI/RFP), incorporating stakeholder requirements and measurement criteria (KPIs and SLAs)
• Supporting regular contract reviews and renewals
• Leading small to medium-sized projects and contract negotiations
• Supporting tenders and negotiations for large and complex contracts
• Supporting agile procurement of small capital items under tight deadlines
• Contributing to cost reduction, risk mitigation, and control of annual category spend across WHS
• Providing category-level commercial, contractual, and negotiation support to stakeholders
• Managing contractual negotiations and supplier relationships during contracting
• Supporting continuous improvement within the team and with stakeholders

What we are looking for:

• At least 5 years of procurement experience with similar responsibilities (CIPS qualifications considered but not essential)
• Contract law and drafting experience
• Strong commercial acumen, proven negotiation skills, and analytical ability
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to establish and influence relationships internally and externally at all levels
• Experience in indirect categories for both Goods and Services
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams at intermediate/advanced levels
• Ability to prioritize, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid working model (home and office)
• 4 pm Friday finish
• Flexible working options
• 25 days holiday, plus your birthday off, bank holidays, with opportunities to buy extra days
• Family-friendly leave
• Company pension scheme
• Sharesave scheme
• Annual bonus based on performance
• Competitive salary and car allowance
• Private medical insurance
• Staff discount card for stores and online

About us:

Celebrating 230 years, WHSmith has grown into a globally recognized brand present in over 30 countries. We are a diverse group of over 12,000 colleagues committed to better business through our focus on the planet, people, and communities we serve.