Direct Procurement Manager

About the Role

We’re looking for a Direct Procurement Manager to join the pack at our newly renovated HQ in Richmond. This is a high impact role with end-to-end ownership of all direct spend at [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk], covering food and packaging.

The right candidate will have entrepreneurial spirit, attention to detail and the initiative to work independently and as a team, helping us to improve our processes and source the right partners for the future.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing: Develop, fully own and lead category strategies for kibble, wet food, treats, packaging and other pet health products & accessories using Nestle’s 7 step sourcing and supplier segmentation frameworks.
• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Working with suppliers and the supply chain team to monitor supplier performance through KPIs and regular reviews, driving corrective actions as necessary. Building positive relationships with strategic partners and sharing expectations and formalised agendas based on tier.
• RFP/RFQ’s: Regularly leading tenders and competitive bidding processes to source new suppliers to support future growth, innovation, sustainability and to meet margin targets.
• Cost Savings and Mitigation: Analysing spend data, identifying cost saving initiatives and managing commodity reviews with existing suppliers.
• Supply Risk Management: Building and maintaining a business continuity plan, validating contingency sites for high impact SKUs.
• Contract Management: Negotiate new and existing contracts to secure favourable terms, building out dossiers to ensure commitment to agreed commercials and compliance with [Employer hidden] testing standards.
• Forecasting and PPV: Providing accurate forecasts to finance, tracking deviations from operational plan.
• Environmental & Social Governance (ESG): Keeping Code of Conduct up to date, ensuring supplier compliance with Nestle standards, improving BCorp score.
• Market Study & Travel: Develop understanding of manufacturing landscape, attend trade shows and site visits in UK and abroad.

Skills & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree or similar desirable
• Experience: 5+ years in procurement and strategic sourcing, proven track record of cost savings
• Proficiency with Excel & detail oriented
• Legal: Experience setting up and negotiating contracts, familiarity with contract law
• Strong negotiator and deal maker
• Strong ability to prioritise under pressure
• Certification: CIPS useful but not essential

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary, reviewed annually
• Annual bonus based on company performance
• Flexible core hours
• Hybrid role
• 25 days holiday (increasing to 27)
• 9/10 day working week without pay reduction
• Optional 5 days unpaid leave and 1 paid volunteer day
• Work from abroad 2 weeks every 6 months
• Health insurance paid by [Employer hidden]
• Extended maternity/paternity/adoption pay (6 months at 70%)
• Flexible paid care leave
• In-house L&D team
• 50% discount on all [Employer hidden]
• Discounted gym membership

Our Commitment

We’re proud to be an active equal opportunity employer. We conduct a structured recruitment process and actively promote roles to under-represented communities at [Employer hidden]. If you need reasonable adjustments, please let us know.