Procurement Specialist - Direct

Moove Lubricants; Gravesend; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading lubricant manufacturer seeks a Procurement Specialist for direct categories, primarily Base Oil and Additives. The role involves end-to-end management of procurement, supplier engagement, and developing procurement strategies at both European and global levels to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Candidates must possess strong leadership, proven negotiation skills, and experience in procurement and supply chain within manufacturing. Join a dynamic environment that prioritizes employee development and offers a competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Annual Bonus

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Contributory pension scheme

Life Assurance

Medicash EAP and Perks

Free Parking

Enhanced Family Leave

Company events

Qualifications

• Strong decision-making and accountability skills.
• Experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, and Base Oil Trading.
• Knowledge of strategic sourcing principles and practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee direct procurement for manufacturing lubricants.
• Develop procurement strategies at European and Global levels.
• Manage supplier relationships and optimize performance.

Skills

Leadership qualities

Procurement management

Negotiation skills

Analytic approach

Expert communication

Education

Engineering, Science, Commerce or Business Degree

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

Procurement Specialist – Direct

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as our Procurement Specialist - Direct. Joining us on a full‑time, permanent basis (Monday‑Friday 8.30‑5.30pm), with a minimum of three days a week at our Gravesend office.

The Procurement Specialist - Direct will be responsible for performing and overseeing Moove’s Direct Procurement (primarily Base Oil and Additives) for its Manufacturing of Lubricants in the UK.

Responsibilities

• End to end management of Procurement for Moove Europe – Direct Categories (Base Oil and Additives)
• Category Strategy – short term tactical plan of negotiations and tenders, commercial engagements and long term strategy (multi‑round game theory)
• Terms and Conditions: Deep understanding of standards and Market practice and capacity to negotiate contracts, MoUs, and other commercial and technical agreements
• Base Oil Trading strategy and execution, including elaboration of Sourcing and Sale strategies and monitoring exposures, arbitrage and management of potential embedded derivatives (in case of trade imbalance)
• Strategic Partnerships with Critical Suppliers
• Risk Management for Critical Suppliers, Raw Materials and Services
• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) model and frameworks applied
• Supplier Performance: active monitoring and management to drive continuous improvement - Develop, implement, and track supplier metrics to evaluate and drive performance
• Global Commodities strategy, including active management of Cost Curve of Base Oil across refineries in all continents
• Define and implement procurement strategies at a European and Global level for COGS reductions and efficiencies
• Employ strategies to ensure business continuity
• Manage suppliers’ Safety (directly) and implication of their performance into Moove’s safe operations
• Advance the understanding of the market trends and identify the factors which influence availability and pricing
• Consult across the business to provide information regarding supply constraints, pricing initiatives and supplier performance
• Demonstrate, lead and encourage best practice within the procurement process to achieve continuous improvement, complexity reduction, and efficiencies
• Identify sustainability solutions within the supply chain, including scope 2 and 3 emissions optimisation
• Own, manage, improve and ensure compliance with Procurement and Procurement related policies
• Manage activities in ERP and other systems
• Ensure compliance with Trade / Legal requirements
• Optimise Cash Flow by driving improvement of Payment Terms and strategies of Inventory Management improvement
• Lead negotiations and strategy with 3rd party manufacturers
• Actively develop new suppliers - continuously
• Manage Tenders, negotiations and Sourcing plans
• Drive Innovation in Procurement, including through development of new products, technologies
• Drive efficiency improvement in Procurement activities by management of resources across operations and through employment of optimisation solutions (eg. RPA and other types of automation and process improvements)
• Behave as the guardian of costs of the organization, and represents the company’s values and strategy with suppliers market
• Attend and represent Moove in industry boards and associations
• Support Marketing and Sales teams with supply contracts that will enable increase results (volume, margin), growth and expansion
• Develop solutions that will increase transparency and efficiency across Procurement and in the communications with suppliers and other Moove teams
• Develop and manage departmental OPEX budget as part of the overall Operations OPEX budgetary submission.

Essential Skills Required

• Leadership qualities typically acquired through several years of experience in related roles with strong decision making and accountability
• Demonstrated experience in Procurement, Supply Chain and Base Oil Trading management in operations with Manufacturing and distribution across various countries
• Established understanding and knowledge of market economics, cost drivers, value chains etc
• Strong strategic and analytic approach to procurement with knowledge of strategic sourcing principles and practice
• Proven negotiations skills and understanding of strategic supplier/customer dynamics
• Independent and autonomous in negotiations of Contracts/MoU/LoI/Terms and Conditions with suppliers and Trading partners
• Expert communication and presentation skills both verbal and written
• Advanced understanding or Trading terms
• Able to handle multiple priorities
• Results focus with a can‑do attitude

Desirable Skills

• Engineering, Science, Commerce or Business Degree
• Knowledge of suppliers and products related to the lubricant industry
• Knowledge of Lubricants Formulations and key performance and value drivers
• Knowledge of Manufacturing, S&OP and B2B Marketing
• A sound understanding of commercial and business fundamentals and drivers of the wider lubricants business
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA
• Proficiency in French, Portuguese or Spanish

In return for joining us you will receive

• Competitive Salary
• Annual Bonus
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays annually (pro‑rata)
• Contributory pension scheme (company match up to 7%)
• Life Assurance 4x basic salary
• Medicash EAP ad Perks
• Free Parking
• Enhanced Family Leave
• Company events

Interested in becoming a Moover? Join us as our Procurement Specialist - Direct and be part of a global organisation who truly value their employees, encourage development and progression. If yes, apply today, we’d love to hear from you!

Please note we endeavour to reply to everyone, but it is not always possible. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of your application, please assume in this instance we have not been able to progress.