At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the procurement process for a luxury hospitality project, from sourcing to installation.
- Company: Established interior design studio with a focus on contemporary luxury and heritage.
- Benefits: Gain significant responsibility and creative influence in a dynamic team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work on exciting projects with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Shape guest experiences through bespoke furniture and finishes in a high-calibre design team.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in FF&E procurement, strong negotiation skills, and attention to detail.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
A small established interior design studio is seeking an FF&E & Procurement Lead to take ownership of sourcing, procurement, supplier management and delivery for a hospitality project for a 6 month fixed term contract
You will join a focused, high-calibre design team and work closely with the Design Director, architects, project managers, suppliers and specialist fabricators throughout the project from design development and specification through to procurement, installation and handover.
This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping a hospitality project where heritage meets contemporary luxury. Furniture, lighting, finishes, fabrics and bespoke elements will be central to creating the overall guest experience, giving the successful candidate significant responsibility and creative influence.
Responsibilities
- Lead the full FF&E procurement lifecycle: specification, sourcing, tender/RFQ process, vendor selection, negotiation, ordering, delivery, quality checks, installation and handover.
- Translate design intent into detailed procurement documentation, ensuring accurate drawings, materials, finishes, custom furniture specifications and related information.
- Develop and manage procurement schedules that align with design and construction programmes; identify long lead-time items and monitor supplier lead times.
- Manage and negotiate with suppliers, artisans and fabricators, both UK and international, covering price, quality, lead times, contracts and terms.
- Maintain and manage budgets, cost tracking, forecasting and value engineering where appropriate to balance cost-quality trade-offs.
- Oversee logistics including shipping, customs, warehousing and installation, ensuring the timely delivery and condition of FF&E items.
- Conduct quality assurance, including sample approvals, inspection of materials and finishes, and management of defects, reworks and returns.
- Maintain procurement documentation including purchase orders, contracts, specifications, drawings, supplier/subcontractor data and delivery schedules.
- Liaise closely with designers, architects, project managers, site teams, logistics partners and installation teams.
- Support sustainability, heritage compliance and ethical sourcing requirements where relevant.
Skills & Experience
- At least 5 years’ experience in FF&E procurement or related procurement/sourcing roles, preferably within luxury hospitality, boutique hotel, high-end residential or heritage restoration contexts.
- Strong knowledge of furniture, lighting, finishes, fabrics, custom furniture/fittings and fabrication processes.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex procurement packages from concept through to installation.
- Proficient in reading technical, design and architectural drawings, with an understanding of layouts, finish schedules, shop drawings and related documentation.
- Excellent negotiation skills and strong supplier relationship management.
- Highly organised, with the ability to track multiple items, timelines and budgets concurrently, with excellent attention to detail.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with confidence liaising with clients, internal teams and external suppliers.
- Competence in procurement/project tracking tools; strong skills in MS Office, particularly Excel. Familiarity with specification software/procurement platforms is advantageous.
- Experience in logistics, import/export, customs, shipping, warehousing and handling installation snagging.
FF Procurement Lead | Hospitality Interiors | London employer: Curio Careers
Curio Careers offers an inspiring workplace for creative minds, where the fusion of craftsmanship and innovation thrives. With a strong emphasis on mentorship and collaboration, employees are encouraged to grow their skills in a dynamic studio environment that values artistic expression. Located in a vibrant design hub, this role not only provides competitive benefits but also the unique opportunity to shape bespoke furniture and sculpture projects that leave a lasting impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FF Procurement Lead | Hospitality Interiors | London
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace FF Procurement Lead | Hospitality Interiors | London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Curio Careers that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Curio Careers can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Curio Careers that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Curio Careers know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Curio Careers
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
