At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies for sourcing vehicles and managing supplier relationships.
- Company: Join a dynamic automotive company focused on innovation and performance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, share options, generous holiday, and comprehensive health cover.
- Other info: Enjoy hybrid working with opportunities to attend industry events and exhibitions.
- Why this job: Make a direct impact on business performance in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement within the automotive industry and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Our Procurement team within our Leasing community are looking for a Procurement Manager to join the business. This role plays a vital part in shaping and delivering a strategic approach to sourcing cars, vans, and pickups, while supporting sales targets, commercial performance, and day‑to‑day operational efficiency.
In this role, you'll work closely with the Procurement Director and another Procurement Manager, along with wider internal teams, to keep procurement activity moving at pace, with clear communication and strong commercial focus. You'll lead sourcing, contracting, and transactional purchasing activity, manage relationships with dealers, manufacturers, and suppliers, and negotiate favourable terms that support value, margin improvement, and risk management. You'll also help ensure that procurement activities align with business objectives, contractual requirements, and operational needs.
You'll support the development and execution of procurement strategies, lead conversations with manufacturers and dealers to identify new opportunities and use market insight to inform sourcing decisions. Working with funders and internal stakeholders, you'll help secure the right stock mix to support sales objectives, oversee contract and purchase order activity, and collaborate with pricing and fulfilment teams to maximise deal opportunities. Ensuring procurement processes remain accurate, compliant, and efficient will also be a key part of your role.
You'll have the opportunity to attend manufacturer launches, industry events, and fleet exhibitions to elevate Autotrader’s profile and stay ahead of market developments. These, along with other methods, will help build and grow supplier relationships through clear, credible communication, earning trust to unlock exclusive pricing opportunities and long‑term commercial value. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to take ownership of a commercially focused procurement role and make a direct impact on performance across the business.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in procurement or commercial negotiations within the automotive industry with OEMs and finance companies, ideally with an understanding of the vehicle leasing market.
- Strong commercial acumen to deliver margin improvement and generate attractive leasing pricing for consumers.
- Skilled relationship manager, able to work effectively with OEMs, dealers, funders, and internal stakeholders.
- Confident negotiator with experience managing complex, high‑value deals and securing favourable commercial outcomes.
- Collaborative approach and comfortable working closely with sales, pricing, and fulfilment teams to help deliver opportunities smoothly.
- Effective communicator, comfortable representing Autotrader at industry events and exhibitions with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Proactive, adaptable, detail‑oriented and able to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, dynamic market.
- Strong awareness of market trends and competitor pricing, using insight to support sourcing and procurement decisions.
- Comfortable using data to inform decision‑making and identify commercial opportunities.
Benefits
- Salary of £45,000‑£55,000, plus an additional 10% of your salary awarded in shares each year. These awarded shares will vest in yearly instalments over the next three years, and you can choose to sell them or keep them as shares.
- 28 days’ holiday per year, in addition to bank holidays and half‑day closures on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
- Enrolled in our pension scheme with standard contributions of 7% and employee contributions of 5%.
- Comprehensive private medical cover, enhanced family leave provisions, a car salary sacrifice scheme, share‑save options, and more.
- 24/7 online GP and dentist access, as well as specialist support for assisted fertility, gender dysphoria, menopause, period care plans, and other wellbeing needs.
- Hybrid model (Connected Working) combining office and home working. Minimum of 3 days a week in the office with your team. Remote‑first periods during summer and winter allow work remotely anywhere in the UK and from certain overseas locations.
Procurement Manager in Hemel Hempstead employer: Auto Trader Group
At Autotrader, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation within our Procurement team. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including share options and comprehensive health coverage, and a commitment to employee growth through industry events and training, we empower our team members to make a meaningful impact in the automotive sector while enjoying a flexible hybrid working model.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager in Hemel Hempstead
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Auto Trader Group.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager in Hemel Hempstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Auto Trader Group:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Auto Trader Group. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Auto Trader Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Auto Trader Group
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Auto Trader Group!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Auto Trader Group. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Auto Trader Group's culture.
