At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement services for the University of Birmingham, managing supply chain and purchasing.
- Company: Join Avendra International, a global leader in strategic procurement with operations in over 15 countries.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: CIPS certification and A Levels are desirable; equal opportunities employer.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your skills in procurement.
- Qualifications: Account management experience in foodservice or procurement; strong communication and analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
🚀 We’re Hiring: Client Procurement Manager
📍 Home‑Based with UK Travel
💼 About the Role
We’re looking for an experienced and commercially‑driven Client Procurement Manager to deliver a best‑in‑class, transparent and impartial purchasing and supply chain service for our clients.
In this role, you’ll build strong client relationships, lead procurement strategy, manage supplier performance, and identify opportunities to grow category spend. You’ll also help clients streamline their purchasing processes by ensuring the effective use of our procurement technology (Pi).
✅ What You’ll Be Doing
Client Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with all internal and external client stakeholders.
- Lead and manage procurement, supply chain, and Pi requirements to achieve client and business objectives.
- Develop deep insight into client culture, challenges, risks and opportunities.
- Identify and deliver purchasing growth opportunities within each client account.
- Create and deliver retention strategies for existing clients and manage at‑risk clients professionally.
- Lead procurement strategy discussions to drive e‑procurement system usage (Pi modules).
- Manage supplier performance against both client and company KPIs.
- Oversee client tenders and ensure on‑time delivery of supplier tender processes.
Growth & Commercial Delivery
- Work towards company rebate targets, presenting strong commercial cases where needed.
- Maintain a robust pipeline of intensification opportunities aligned to business objectives.
- Identify and deliver incremental client purchasing, including non‑food categories (e.g., maintenance, uniforms, laundry, stationery).
- Manage supplier mobilisation and collaborate with sales, tender and Pi teams for smooth implementation.
- Continually review service delivery to ensure we remain professional, transparent, and impartial.
💡What You Bring
Experience & Background
- Strong account management experience in a foodservice environment (essential)
- Strong commercial and financial acumen
- Proven track record of meeting targets and delivering customer satisfaction
- Attention to detail, with excellent customer service skills
- Experience successfully managing teams (desirable)
Knowledge
- Understanding of supply chain operations (essential)
- Excel skills to a good standard (essential)
- Food industry experience and market knowledge (desirable)
Skills
- Strong influencing and strategic thinking skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Strong negotiation and relationship‑building abilities
- Highly organised with strong prioritisation skills
- Analytical, critically evaluative, and numerate
- IT literate across key systems and tools
Personal Qualities
- Highly commercial mindset
- Self‑motivated and results driven
- Professional, reliable, and flexible
- Committed to meeting customer expectations
- Perseverance, conscientiousness, and comfort with UK travel
⭐ Why Join Us?
- Work in a high‑impact, client‑facing procurement role
- Be part of a professional, supportive and collaborative team
- Shape procurement strategy and influence client outcomes
- Deliver meaningful value through innovative procurement technology
- Enjoy the flexibility of a home‑based role with travel
🤝Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and will ensure reasonable adjustments are provided throughout the recruitment process.
📩 Ready to Apply?
If you're driven, commercially minded, and passionate about delivering value through procurement, we’d love to hear from you.
👉 Apply now via LinkedIn
#Hiring #Procurement #Careers
Client Procurement Manager in Birmingham employer: Avendra International - Europe
At Avendra International, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters professional growth and collaboration. As a Client Procurement Manager at the University of Birmingham, you will benefit from our commitment to employee development, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and the opportunity to make a significant impact within a global leader in procurement services. Join us to be part of a diverse team that values transparency and empowers you to thrive in your career while enjoying the unique advantages of working in a prestigious educational environment.
Contact Detail:
Avendra International - Europe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Client Procurement Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the University of Birmingham's procurement processes and their specific needs. Understanding their current supply chain and purchasing systems will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and hands-on expertise during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the foodservice and procurement sectors, especially those who have experience working with universities. Building relationships can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing stakeholder relationships and how you've successfully influenced decisions in previous roles. Highlighting specific examples will showcase your communication and negotiation skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in procurement, particularly in the education sector. Being knowledgeable about current challenges and opportunities will position you as a proactive candidate who can contribute to the growth strategies at Avendra International.
We think you need these skills to ace Client Procurement Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement and client management. Emphasise your account management skills, particularly in foodservice or procurement environments, as this is crucial for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement abilities. Mention specific examples of how you've built relationships and delivered results in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills:In your application, clearly outline your proficiency in Excel and analytical thinking. These skills are essential for managing procurement processes and negotiating supplier agreements.
Showcase Your Flexibility:Since the role requires on-site support and UK travel, mention your comfort with hybrid working and your willingness to adapt to the needs of the University of Birmingham and other clients.
How to prepare for a job interview at Avendra International - Europe
✨Showcase Your Procurement Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience in procurement, especially in foodservice or similar environments. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed supply chains and negotiated supplier agreements.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since the role involves building relationships with stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated with various teams in the past.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Given the emphasis on e-procurement systems like Pi, brush up on your technical knowledge. Be ready to explain how you've used such systems in previous roles and how you would approach training others on them.
✨Exhibit Analytical Thinking
The job requires strong analytical skills, particularly with Excel. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data analysis to drive decisions in procurement and how you can apply this skill to identify growth opportunities.
