Procurement Manager - Directs

We are looking for an ambitious Senior Procurement Manager to play a key role in building the next chapter of our procurement function.

This is more than a category management role. It's an opportunity for a high-potential procurement professional to become a trusted senior leader within a business that is investing in its procurement capability, implementing change, and creating exciting opportunities for career development. Based within the Direct Procurement team, you'll work closely with the Head of Procurement and will be positioned as a key strategic partner across the organisation.

The Opportunity

As Senior Procurement Manager, you'll lead strategic sourcing and supplier management activities across a range of direct spend categories, including ingredients and packaging. Category ownership will be shaped around your experience and strengths, offering genuine flexibility for the right individual.

You'll be responsible for developing procurement strategies, leading major tender activity, building supplier partnerships and delivering commercial value across a complex, multi-site environment. The role also offers exposure to global procurement initiatives and international stakeholder engagement.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone ready to step up into a broader leadership role, with the potential to progress yourself further ocurement as the function evolves.

What You'll Be Doing

• Developing and implementing category strategies across direct spend areas.
• Leading major sourcing projects, tenders and supplier negotiations.
• Driving cost savings, value creation and supplier performance improvements.
• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders across Operations, Commercial, Technical and Finance functions.
• Managing strategic supplier relationships and mitigating supply chain risk.
• Supporting procurement transformation and category development initiatives.
• Monitoring market trends, legislation and sustainability requirements impacting procurement decisions.
• Coaching and influencing colleagues across the procurement function.
• Contributing to a growing global procurement agenda.

What We're Looking For

We're less interested in finding a specialist in one particular category and more interested in finding the right person.

You'll likely bring:

• Significant procurement experience within a direct procurement environment.
• Experience managing complex spend categories across multiple sites.
• Strong strategic sourcing, tendering and negotiation skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing capability.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
• The resilience to thrive within a fast-moving and evolving business.
• The confidence to operate autonomously whilst collaborating across teams.
• A desire to develop, lead and step into greater levels of responsibility.

Experience within FMCG, food manufacturing or fresh food would be advantageous, although we are open to candidates from other sectors who can demonstrate strong procurement expertise and the right leadership qualities.

The Type of Person Who Will Succeed

This role will suit someone who:

• Enjoys building and improving processes rather than simply following them.
• Thrives in environments where there is plenty of opportunity to make an impact.
• Is comfortable working through ambiguity and change.
• Can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery.
• Builds credibility through influence and relationships rather than hierarchy.
• Is hungry for progression and excited by future leadership opportunities.

Working Pattern & Travel

This is a genuinely flexible role, but not one that fits into a rigid office schedule.

You'll spend your time where you can add the most value, whether that's at the office, visiting suppliers, supporting operational sites or collaborating with stakeholders.