At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive global procurement strategies and collaborate with teams to create value and sustainability.
- Company: Join Diageo, a leader in iconic drinks with a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values diversity and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global brands while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Dublin
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 1st October 2026
About Us
With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, Diageo is home to some of the world’s most iconic drinks. From Johnnie Walker and Guinness to Tanqueray, Smirnoff and Don Julio, we craft brands chosen for life’s moments - from everyday connections to landmark celebrations. Bring your talent, curiosity and ambition, and strive for your personal best alongside people who challenge, support and learn from each other. Together, as one outstanding team, we keep learning, improving and raising the bar for our brands, our business and each other. Join us and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more.
About the Function
Procurement shapes how we build and grow our brands through the partnerships, services and materials that support our business. Managing over £12bn of spend, this team works across our global supply chain to create value, drive efficiency and support sustainable growth. From supplier partnerships to innovation, their work has a direct impact on the quality and success of our brands. You’ll collaborate with teams and partners around the world, helping deliver solutions that meet today’s needs while shaping what comes next.
About the role
As a Global Procurement Specialist - Value Creation/Agile, you'll act as a change agent, driving global category strategies that deliver both financial and non-financial business objectives across commercial performance and sustainability ambitions. Working collaboratively with internal stakeholders, suppliers and external partners, you'll bring cross-sector insights, industry benchmarking and best practice to help keep Diageo at the forefront of Procurement while responding to emerging market trends and regulatory developments.
What you’ll be doing
- Applied Expertise & Category Excellence: Build, develop and apply expertise across one or more spend categories, developing a strong understanding of supply markets, suppliers, partners and commercial dynamics. Become a recognised subject matter expert, sharing knowledge across the global Procurement community and identifying opportunities to create value for Diageo. Lead the development of market intelligence, category insights, global strategies and sourcing activities, applying Diageo's Procurement standards and contributing to the continuous improvement of tools, processes and ways of working.
- Global Category Strategy: Build strong relationships with stakeholders, suppliers and partners to better understand business needs and deliver greater value through collaboration. Support the development and evolution of global category strategies by gathering business requirements, analysing market dynamics, assessing opportunities and recommending innovative solutions. Generate insights through internal and external benchmarking, develop cost models and strengthen analytics capabilities to support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement. Support Market Centres of Excellence (CoEs) with the successful execution of global category strategies.
- Sourcing & Contract Management: Lead sourcing activities across global and above-market spend categories, applying Procurement best practice throughout the sourcing lifecycle. Plan, prepare and lead commercial negotiations using Diageo's Negotiation Toolkit, ensuring contracts are successfully negotiated, implemented and managed throughout their lifecycle. Maintain strong contract governance, ensuring compliance with both Diageo and supplier obligations.
- Risk Management: Identify, assess and mitigate strategic, commercial and supplier risks in line with category strategies and Procurement best practice. Work collaboratively with stakeholders and suppliers to implement effective risk mitigation plans and strengthen supply resilience. Apply and continuously improve Procurement tools, governance and risk management practices, contributing to the development of global standards.
- Supplier Performance & Development: Build trusted, collaborative relationships with strategic suppliers, establishing effective ways of working that drive strong performance, innovation and long-term value. Drive supplier excellence by evaluating and developing supplier performance across key measures including cost, quality, delivery, sustainability and risk. Work cross-functionally to identify improvement opportunities, address performance gaps and promote best practice through governance, ethical sourcing and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Supplier Fitness: Support the delivery of the supplier fitness strategy by assessing supplier capability across operational, financial, quality, compliance and risk criteria. Partner with internal stakeholders and suppliers to strengthen capability, manage risk, drive corrective actions and ensure continuity of supply while meeting strategic, regulatory and sustainability requirements.
- Value Creation: Drive value creation by leveraging the supply base to deliver sustainable cost efficiencies, innovation and competitive advantage. Identify opportunities across total cost of ownership, productivity, design-to-value and demand optimisation, while enabling supplier-led innovation and continuous improvement. Collaborate closely with business stakeholders and strategic suppliers to translate business needs into sourcing strategies that deliver measurable financial and strategic value, supporting both short-term performance and long-term growth.
Experience / skills required
- We’re looking for someone who is commercially minded, collaborative and driven to deliver exceptional procurement outcomes, with strong negotiation, influencing and leadership skills.
- Proven experience in supplier management, with a successful track record of leading large-scale projects across complex, cross-functional stakeholder groups.
- Strong knowledge of best-in-class Procurement practices, category management and strategic sourcing.
- Experience leading a procurement category within an international or global environment.
- Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to engage, influence and build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.
- Proven experience working across the end-to-end supply chain, including Sales and Marketing.
- Demonstrated experience delivering pan-regional or global sourcing initiatives involving multiple business partners and creating value across the organisation.
- Degree qualified or equivalent professional experience. An MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification would be advantageous.
- A collaborative and inclusive approach, with a commitment to embedding diversity and inclusion in the way you work and build relationships.
- An experienced negotiator with a proven ability to deliver successful outcomes across high-value, complex commercial agreements.
- Flexibility is key to our success. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you, so that you’re supported to manage your wellbeing and balance your priorities from day one.
Company values
Our purpose is crafting iconic drinks chosen for life’s moments. And it’s our people, with their different experiences, perspectives and talents, who make that possible. We value diversity in its broadest sense and want everyone to feel they can belong, contribute and strive for their personal best. You’ll work alongside people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives — challenging, supporting and learning from one another as one outstanding team. Together, we’re constantly learning and improving, combining the strength of our people, capabilities and iconic brands to raise the bar, grow and win. Wherever you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, make an impact and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more.
Global Procurement Specialist - Value Creation/Agile employer: Diageo
Diageo is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Runcorn where you can lead a dedicated team in the bottling operation of some of the world's most iconic drinks. With a strong focus on employee development, diversity, and continuous improvement, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive culture that values your contributions and well-being. Join us to craft memorable moments and grow your career in a globally recognised brand.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Procurement Specialist - Value Creation/Agile
✨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 Diageo.
✨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 Global Procurement Specialist - Value Creation/Agile
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 Diageo:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Diageo. 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 Diageo.
How to prepare for a job interview at Diageo
✨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 Diageo!
✨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 Diageo. 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 Diageo's culture.
