Procurement Graduate in Leicester

Our grads feel at home with ‘out of your comfort zone’. At Dunelm, we are market leaders, we evolve with change and embrace innovation and individuality. Develop the growth mindset you need to make bolder business decisions and stretch your career. Be comfortable thinking big.

Procurement is about helping the business buy the right goods and services, from the right suppliers, at the right value and with the right contractual protections. The Dunelm Procurement team influences over £350m of spend across the business. In simple terms, this team buys the goods and services Dunelm needs to run effectively, including:

• Technology and software
• Marketing and agency services
• Logistics and parcel carriers
• Store equipment and fixtures
• Construction and facilities
• Professional services

This is not a stock buying role and does not involve purchasing products for resale. Sitting within Finance, the team plays a critical role in supporting Dunelm’s growth by delivering value for money, supporting major business projects and helping to manage commercial risk.

As a Procurement Graduate, you’ll get exposure to a wide range of categories and stakeholders, building commercial, analytical and negotiation skills from day one. With structured development, hands-on experience and support towards your CIPS qualification, this is a great opportunity to start a career in a fast-moving, business-critical function. This role could suit someone who enjoys problem-solving, working with people, analysing information and making commercially sound decisions.

Dunelm is committed to becoming a fully inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of sex, age, race, religion, ability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

What you'll be doing:

• Gain a broad view of how a major retailer operates by partnering with teams across supply chain, stores, marketing, technology and finance.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues across the organisation and learn how different areas of the business really work.
• Learn and develop negotiation, communication, and analytical skills through hands-on experiences.
• Develop an understanding of commercial contracts, working closely with Dunelm’s Legal team to identify and manage risks.
• Build towards owning your own procurement projects, helping the business make smart commercial decisions and deliver better value.
• Take part in leadership workshops and development programmes designed to build your confidence and capability.
• Study and work towards a professional qualification (CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply).
• Have the potential opportunity and support to study towards MCIPS opening up longer-term career opportunities in category management, supplier management and procurement leadership.

We work in a hybrid way, with graduates typically spending 3 days a week in the office and 2 at home, giving you regular in-person support, exposure and development while also offering flexibility.

What we’ll look for in you:

• A strong interest in a career in Procurement.
• Strong analytical thinking and high levels of curiosity, with a natural tendency to question the “why” and the “how”.
• The resilience and ambition to drive your own development and the eagerness to constantly find new learning opportunities.
• Logical approach and attention to detail.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• “Can-do” attitude and proactive approach.
• Good communication skills and the ability to challenge and negotiate.
• Ability to build relationships within your team and across the wider business.

Please note: We will evaluate any applicants who do not have all the relevant qualifications. Accessibility allows everyone to have an equal chance when applying and showing off their potential. It also helps us create a more inclusive and diverse team, which brings fresh ideas and perspectives. Should you need it, we have an accessibility tool available on our careers site to support you when you’re completing your application. If you require any other reasonable adjustments during the application and assessment process, you can reach out to our team via earlycareers@dunelm.com.

The Assessment Centre for this role will take place in mid June 2026, at our Store Support Centre in Syston, Leicester.