Senior Procurement Manager

WHSmith Careers; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

4pm Friday finish

Flexible working

25 days holiday + birthday off

Family friendly leave

Company pension

Sharesave scheme

Annual bonus

Car allowance

Private medical

Staff discount

Job summary

WHSmith Careers is seeking a Senior Procurement Manager to lead category strategies for Domestic and International needs, with a focus on Store Fit outs. You will partner with senior stakeholders to deliver cost reductions, manage multi-million projects and run end-to-end tender processes with KPIs.

You will implement SRM across categories, optimise value with budget holders and mentor a procurement team. The role may involve global travel and flexible hours to suit time zones.

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement across multiple categories.
• Strong negotiation, analytical and stakeholder management skills.
• Contract law experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing category strategies for Domestic and International business, focusing on Store Fit outs.
• Partnering with senior stakeholders to meet future business requirements and drive category innovation.
• Responsible for cost reduction, risk mitigation and control of annual category spend.
• Leading multi-million pound projects and contract negotiations; end-to-end tender process (RFI/RFP) with KPIs/SLA.
• Implementing SRM processes for categories to drive performance, innovation and cost savings.
• Optimising total value by liaising with stakeholders/budget holders to ensure goals and targets are understood and achieved.
• Supporting continuous improvement within the team and with stakeholders.
• Leading and mentoring procurement team members.
• This role may include global tenders, travel to US and flexible hours for time zones.

Skills

Procurement management

Category strategy

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Contract law

Job description

At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Procurement team is passionate about working in a dynamic, fast paced environment, collaborating with stakeholders and suppliers to respond to the needs of the business.

The role of a Senior Procurement Manager is to promote Group Procurement to deliver high standards by consulting, influencing internally and externally to develop and implement effective procurement strategies optimising total value across the wider group.

What you will be doing:

• Leading and Developing category strategies considering both Domestic and International business requirements. This role will focus on managing procurement for our Store Fit outs.
• Partnering with senior stakeholders to meet our future business requirements and drive innovation within the category
• Responsible for delivery of cost reduction, risk mitigation and control of annual category spend.
• Leading multi-million pound projects and contract negotiations. Managing the end-to-end tender process (RFI/RFP) incorporating the stakeholders business requirements /specification and relevant measurement criteria (KPI’s and SLA’s)
• Implementing SRM processes for Categories, driving performance, innovation and cost savings during contract term.
• Optimising total value by liaising with stakeholders/budget holders to ensure goals and targets fully understood and facilitated by effective procurement delivery
• Supporting continuous improvement processes within the team and with stakeholders
• Leading and mentor procurement team members
• This role will include Global tenders, which may include travel to US at times and flexing hours to attend Teams meetings in other time zones.

What we are looking for:

• At least 5 years Procurement experience at manager level across multiple categories, ideally IT, Construction, Professional Services, HR and Supply Chain. CIPS qualification ideal but not essential
• Experience of managing direct reports
• Strong Drive for Results, with ability to manage competing priorities and work in fast paced environment
• Strong commercial acumen is essential, with proven negotiation skills and strong analytical skills
• Ability to establish strong working relationships internally and externally, with the ability to influence at all levels
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Resilience and ability to deliver high quality work within tight timeframes.
• Contract Law and contract drafting experience

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office
• 4pm Friday Finish
• Flexible Working
• 25 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
• Family Friendly Leave
• Company Pension scheme
• Sharesave Scheme
• Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance
• Competitive Salary and car allowance
• Private Medical
• Staff Discount Card for stores and online

About us:

Celebrating 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 5,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

WHSmith have occupied our place in our customers’ hearts for over two decades. You’ll find our stores and our family of brands in airports, hospitals, railway stations – as well as right across the world! We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation, resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture.

At WHSmith, we’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here.

We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!