Regional Procurement Manager

Belron International; Hartford; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global procurement organization seeks a Category Expert to support transformation initiatives. This role involves developing global category strategies, driving sourcing initiatives, and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve cost savings. Applicants should have over 8 years of experience in strategic sourcing and demonstrate strong skills in negotiation and communication. This position may require international travel and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Extensive benefits package

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ experience in Indirect strategic sourcing or category management.
• 5+ years sourcing experience in specified categories.
• Demonstrable experience in leading cross-cultural teams.

Responsibilities

• Support Global Category Lead in developing and delivering category strategies.
• Lead and drive global sourcing initiatives.
• Analyze spending profiles to identify cost reduction opportunities.
• Achieve savings targets through collaboration with procurement teams.
• Present category strategies to senior leadership.

Skills

Strategic management skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Analytical problem-solving

Influencing skills

Fluency in English

Education

High school education including Mathematics and English

Role relevant degree

MCIPS or equivalent qualification

Job description

Indirect Procurement is undergoing a transformation and transitioning from a decentralised model to a Global Category Management (GCM) model, whereby Group will drive global category strategy and enable informed execution decisions “Think Globally, Act Regionally or Locally”. As a key member of the Group Indirect Procurement team, this is a strategic role supporting the Global Category Lead for [Category Cluster] in driving the Indirect transformation, and delivering significant QACS (Quality, Availability, Cost, Sustainability) competitive advantage and performance across Belron through the application of GCM. This is a pivotal role driving and executing GCM for [category/ies], supporting the Global Category Lead in developing global and/or regional category strategies and leading regional and cross-BU sourcing execution. GCM will also include the development and management of strategic supplier relationships, close collaboration with business stakeholders and senior leaders, and ultimately delivering strong cost reduction and/or cost avoidance for EUZ/ROW through category strategy implementation. The person fulfilling the role will be known as the category expert for [Category Cluster or Category] due to their deep category knowledge and insights and will act as a trusted advisor to the BUs. They will build strong relationships with key business stakeholders and decision makers, working closely with them and their Local Procurement counterparts to agree appropriate strategies and sourcing initiatives to deliver maximum value to Belron. This role may have the opportunity to develop and lead Regional Procurement Specialists within the same GCM team.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the Global Category Lead in developing and delivering mid-to-long term global and/or regional category strategies for agreed categories (including ongoing refinement), in collaboration with BU stakeholders and leadership teams, to create competitive advantage for Belron by maximising the expenditure in these categories
• Leading and driving global and/or regional sourcing initiatives in line with these strategies across EUZ/ROW, from inception to contract execution, including (where relevant) championing and accelerating plans for standardisation or specification and/or supplier consolidation
• Analysing Belron global spend profiles to identify “quick win” opportunities in specified categories, obtaining BU buy-in, and implementing the initiatives, to deliver cost reduction, cost avoidance and/or service improvements
• Achieving significant contribution to the overarching savings targets for the [Category Cluster] categories, working closely with Group and Local Procurement teams to deliver
• Presenting to and gaining buy-in from senior leadership teams across EUZ/ROW for category strategy, sourcing projects and supplier selection
• Viewed as a category/subject matter expert and trusted advisor for agreed categories
• Working closely with the Regional Procurement Lead and Local Procurement teams to understand local practices and legislation, and adapting solutions accordingly
• Building and expanding category knowledge and keeping updated on market conditions and supply base to provide guidance to BUs and senior leadership, and to better inform category strategies
• Acting as the lead procurement contact for agreed strategic suppliers and implementing a structured and robust SRM programme to manage performance, including implementing robust contracts, leading QBRs (regional and/or global) in conjunction with BUs, tracking performance against agreed metrics and ensuring Belron's standards are adhered to
• Identifying, assessing and mitigating potential risks related to suppliers, contracts, and compliance, while ensuring continuous monitoring and contingency planning to safeguard the supply chain
• Partnering and collaborating with budget holders, functional/operational leaders, and Local Procurement teams on initiatives to deliver cost reduction and better value
• Developing, sharing and driving procurement best practices related to agreed categories, including establishing and/or supporting “Communities of Practice” where appropriate
• Supporting development and delivery of Group Procurement's roadmap to become a best‑in‑class function (Project Evolve)

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but rather an outline of the main areas of responsibility. All Belron employees are expected to be flexible in undertaking duties and responsibilities attached to their position and may be asked to perform other duties as determined by business needs.

Key Performance Outcomes

• High levels of team and BU engagement
• Clear and defined category strategy plans for agreed categories developed, agreed with senior leaders, and implemented
• Delivery of agreed savings targets for EUZ/ROW, through identified Group initiatives and working in collaboration with Business Units, Regional Procurement Lead and Local Procurement
• Actively considering and addressing Sustainability, Risk and Safety impacts in all initiatives delivered
• Robust contracts and structured SRM framework in place with key strategic suppliers to ensure high supplier performance

Required

High school level education including Mathematics and English

Preferred

• Role relevant degree
• MCIPS or equivalent qualification (or working towards)

Experience

8+ years’ experience in an Indirect strategic sourcing and/or category management role

• 5+ years sourcing and/or category management experience in any of the following: [Category list]
• Demonstrable experience in working and/or leading cross‑cultural / cross‑border teams

Skills & Competencies

• Displays a full range of strategic management skills (Caring, Driven, Collaborative and Genuine)
• Exceptional negotiation and contracting skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Has a strong commercial understanding and passion for working collaboratively
• Demonstrates a strong ability to analyse and interpret market trends, competitive landscape and external factors impacting the industry and/or relevant categories
• High degree of curiosity and strong analytical problem‑solving skills
• Ability to influence senior management, teams and individuals across multiple cultures, disciplines, and geographies both within Belron and within the supplier ecosystem
• Ability to develop long‑term, strategic relationships with stakeholders, partners, industry leaders and strategically important suppliers
• Understands, explains and presents complex technical ideas to both technical and non‑technical audiences at all levels up to the highest in a persuasive and convincing manner
• Makes informed decisions critical to organisational success
• Willingness to challenge current practice, seek alternative options and challenge convention
• Driven to deliver results and high performance
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Location

The role may be based in any European location where Belron has a corporate office, providing you are willing to travel to Egham as required. You may also be required to travel globally to other Belron locations or the locations of any of our global suppliers. Hours: This is a full‑time role. We will consider flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

This exciting role comes a very competitive salary and an extensive benefits package.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Belron is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to bringing diversity, equity and inclusion to the forefront of our culture. We stand for 100% inclusion for everyone and we encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.