At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supplier negotiations and optimise procurement processes for a fast-growing company.
- Company: Join one of Europe's largest online car-changing destinations, growing rapidly with innovative technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team transforming the automotive industry with cutting-edge solutions.
- Qualifications: 4-5+ years in procurement, ideally from consultancy or start-up experience; strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are key values; all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
OUR MISSION
To become the car-changing destination of choice. By combining technology, media and deep automotive expertise, we\’ve turned how people buy, sell, advertise and lease cars on its head.
What started as a simple reviews site is now one of the largest online car-changing destinations in Europe. Last year alone we grew over 50% with nearly Β£3bn worth of cars bought on site, while Β£1.8bn of cars were listed for sale through our Sell My Car service.
In 2024 we went big and acquired Autovia – creators of AutoExpress and Evo magazines – doubling our audience overnight. Together we now have one of the biggest YouTube channels in the world with almost 10m subscribers and over 1.1 billion annual views, while we sell 1.2 million print copies of our magazines and have an annual web content reach over 350 million.
And weβre a long way from done!
YOUR MISSION
We need a commercially-driven Procurement Manager to own and scale our procurement function. Reporting into the CFO, you\’ll turn savings into a repeatable system, reduce supplier complexity, and drive procurement maturity through better tools, processes, and negotiation practices. You will play a key role in shaping procurement strategy, implementing efficient processes, and maintain a supplier renewal calendar and negotiation pipeline to support our fast-growing business. Working closely with legal, engineering, strategy, and leadership teams, you\’ll turn savings into a repeatable system, reduce supplier complexity, and drive procurement maturity through better tools, processes, and negotiation practices.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
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Lead supplier negotiations with focus on SaaS, tooling, and professional services
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Support and coach Supply Account Managers (SAMs) in preparation and execution
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Operate and enhance our SaaS optimisation platform (Torii) to surface savings and waste
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Design and implement supplier consolidation reviews and rationalisation processes
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Build dashboards and reports on spend, renewals, and savings performance
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Develop and maintain a supplier renewal calendar and negotiation pipeline
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Co-own contract lifecycle process with Legal, including templates and alerts
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Roll out a scalable purchase order (PO) process in partnership with Finance
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Align procurement data and reporting with finance systems and GL structures
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Drive adoption of procurement processes and compliance across business units
KEY REQUIREMENTS
We know that no candidate will be the perfect match for all we\’ve listed in this posting, so weβd encourage you to apply if you feel you\’re close to the brief but not an exact match to the below
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4-5+ years of experience in procurement, ideally from a top-tier consultancy or as a procurement manager in a start-up/scale-up
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Deep knowledge of SaaS and digital tool procurement
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Proven track record in supplier negotiations and cost reduction initiatives
Experience with procurement tools (e.g. Torii, NetSuite, Precora) or the ability to quickly adopt them -
Excellent stakeholder management across technical, legal, and finance teams
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Highly structured communication and documentation skills
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Familiarity with procurement processes like PO workflows, CLM design, and supplier onboarding
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Understanding of finance alignment (e.g. budgeting, cost allocation, accruals)
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Prior work in a scale-up or cross-functional operating environment
Nice to have:
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Background in finance or operations, providing a solid understanding of cost structures and financial impact within procurement.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
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Introductory call to get to know each other with a member of the Talent Team
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Interview with the CFO and/or Financial Controller
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Case study interview
Diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our culture. We know that diverse teams are strong teams, so we welcome those with alternative identities, backgrounds, and experiences to apply for this position. We make recruiting decisions based on experience, skills and potential, so all our applicants are treated fairly and equally.
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Procurement Manager (4 month contract) employer: Carwow
Contact Detail:
Carwow Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager (4 month contract)
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in SaaS procurement and digital tools. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the industry.
β¨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field, especially those who have experience in scale-ups or start-ups. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the case study interview by practising common procurement scenarios. Think about how you would approach supplier negotiations or cost reduction initiatives, as these are key responsibilities of the role.
β¨Tip Number 4
Showcase your stakeholder management skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams in the past. This will highlight your ability to work effectively within the company's structure.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager (4 month contract)
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, especially any roles in top-tier consultancies or start-ups. Emphasise your achievements in supplier negotiations and cost reduction initiatives.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the automotive industry and how your skills align with the company's mission. Mention specific tools and processes you have experience with, such as SaaS optimisation platforms.
Showcase Stakeholder Management Skills: Provide examples of how you've effectively managed stakeholders across different teams, particularly in technical, legal, and finance contexts. This will demonstrate your ability to collaborate in a cross-functional environment.
Prepare for the Interview Process: Familiarise yourself with the interview process outlined in the job description. Be ready to discuss your experience in detail during the introductory call and prepare for the case study interview by reviewing procurement scenarios.
How to prepare for a job interview at Carwow
β¨Understand the Companyβs Mission
Before your interview, make sure you fully grasp the company's mission and how they aim to revolutionise the car-changing experience. This will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your enthusiasm for their vision.
β¨Showcase Your Procurement Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your previous procurement experiences, especially in SaaS and digital tools. Highlight specific examples of successful supplier negotiations and cost reduction initiatives to illustrate your capabilities.
β¨Prepare for Case Study Questions
Since there will be a case study interview, practice analysing procurement scenarios and presenting your thought process clearly. Focus on how you would approach supplier consolidation and negotiation strategies relevant to the companyβs needs.
β¨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
The role requires excellent stakeholder management across various teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've effectively communicated and collaborated with technical, legal, and finance teams in past roles.