At WHSmith, our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones who go the extra mile for our customers and enable our growth. Our Procurement team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing to do their best work.

The role of a Procurement Manager is to promote Group Procurement to deliver high standards by consulting and influencing internally and externally to implement and deliver effective procurement strategies, thereby optimizing total value across the wider group. You will provide category expertise, working as part of the Group Procurement Indirect team responsible for buying Goods Not For Resale (GNFR) and Services on behalf of the WHSmith Group. This role reports to a Senior Procurement Manager.

What you will be doing:

• Rationalizing and developing the supplier base
• Planning and managing categories tactically and strategically to incorporate UK, European, and international sourcing strategies
• Optimizing total value by liaising with stakeholders and budget holders to ensure goals and targets are understood and facilitated by effective procurement delivery
• Managing the end-to-end tender process (RFI/RFP), incorporating stakeholder requirements and measurement criteria (KPIs and SLAs)
• Supporting the regular contract review and renewal process
• Leading small to medium-sized projects and contract negotiations
• Supporting tenders and negotiations for large and complex contracts
• Supporting agile procurement of small capital items under tight deadlines
• Supporting cost reduction, risk mitigation, and control of annual category spend across WHS
• Providing category-level commercial, contractual, and negotiation support to stakeholders
• Managing contractual negotiations and relationships with suppliers
• Supporting continuous improvement processes within the team and with stakeholders

What we are looking for:

• At least 5 years of procurement experience with similar responsibilities (CIPS qualifications considered but not essential)
• Contract law and drafting experience
• Strong commercial acumen, proven negotiation skills, and analytical abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to establish strong relationships internally and externally, with influencing skills at all levels
• Experience in indirect categories for both Goods and Services
• Intermediate/Advanced proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams
• Ability to prioritize, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid working model (home and office)
• 4 pm Friday finish
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days holiday, plus your birthday off, plus bank holidays, with options to buy extra days
• Family-friendly leave
• Company pension scheme
• Sharesave scheme
• Annual bonus based on company and personal performance
• Competitive salary and car allowance
• Private medical insurance
• Staff discount card for stores and online

About us:

Celebrating 230 years, WHSmith has grown into a globally recognized brand present in over 30 countries. With over 12,000 colleagues, we are committed to our planet, people, and communities, striving for a better business every day.