Procurement Manager in Basildon

Ford Credit Europe is a regulated UK Bank, seeking a strongly skilled and experienced Procurement Manager (24 months Fixed Term Contract) to spearhead the organisation's Centralised Procurement operating model. This is a high-impact, strategic role, with the objective to strengthen FCE's oversight of third-party suppliers and ensure that contractual, commercial, and regulatory obligations are consistently met.

This role will be responsible for providing direction to FCE's soon to be onboarded outsourced procurement partner, while acting as the primary interface for internal business teams and executive leadership. As we are early in our journey in developing a centralised model, the successful candidate will be responsible for bringing their expertise and helping prove the value of this relationship from day 1. You will ensure that the outsourced partner delivers exceptional value, drives cost efficiencies, and remains fully aligned with FCE's strategic objectives and compliant with regulatory requirements.

This position requires a hands-on procurement leader who is confident managing complex supplier relationships, leading negotiations alongside FCE's outsourced procurement partner, and embedding operational, commercial, and regulatory rigor in line with FCE's risk appetite throughout the supplier lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Essential

• Proven Leadership: You must have previously led a Procurement or Purchasing function (as a Head of Procurement, Purchasing Manager, or similar). We are looking for a track record of building or transforming functions.
• Indirect Procurement Expertise: Deep, essential knowledge of indirect spend categories. You must understand the nuances of service-based contracts, software licensing, and professional service agreements.
• Strategic Outsourcing: Experience managing an outsourced procurement provider or a Managed Service Provider (MSP) is critical.
• Results Oriented: A proven track record of delivering measurable results – through cost savings, process improvements, alongside risk mitigation.

• Head of Procurement of an Automotive Captive Finance Company with entrenched exposure to FCA / PRA and the risks exposed.
• Financial services experience beyond banking to bring transferable experience and commercial insights from other domains, such as insurance, asset management, fintech or other.
• Technology and digital procurement depth to bring strong exposure to IT, Cloud, SaaS, data and cyber security including complex contracts and vendor rationalisation.
• CIPS qualification or equivalent professional qualification (ie MBA).

Additional Information

The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.

This position is based in Dunton, and it is expected the successful candidate will be able to attend the Dunton office for typically 4 days a week and remain flexible on the days they are required to attend the office according to business requirements.

As part of our pre-employment checks process, successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check. This will be conducted in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and applied only to unspent convictions.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Own the Centralised Procurement strategy. You will set the direction for the outsourced partner, ensuring their category strategies align with FCE's overarching business goals, cycle plan, and overarching risk appetite.
• Outsourced Partner Governance: Act as the primary point of accountability for the outsourced procurement partner. Monitor performance of the partner through KPIs/SLAs and ensure the partner is delivering innovative, cost-effective solutions, which align with FCE's strategic business requirements and risk profile.
• Stakeholder Management and Partnering: Serve as a trusted advisor to FCE's business teams and strategic leaders. You will translate business needs into procurement requirements and ensure the business understands the value of the centralised model, and the need for tactical and strategic supplier relationships which drive excellence, efficiencies and meet functional team's cost targets. You will work closely with FCE's Vendor Management team to ensure the compliance of key suppliers, ensuring service delivery, contracts, risk assessments, and performance all meet required standards.
• Indirect Procurement Excellence: Provide expert oversight across all indirect spend categories (including IT, Professional Services, Marketing, Facilities, and HR). Ensure best practices in sourcing, contract management, and supplier relationship management (SRM) are applied, whilst also recognising the governance in place with FCE's enterprise and shareholder (Ford Motor Co). Oversee full contract lifecycles, including renewals, variations, extensions, and pricing reviews.
• Procurement & Sourcing: Lead working alongside the procurement partner with competitive sourcing processes (RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, market assessments), conduct commercial negotiations to secure value, cost efficiency, and optimal contractual outcomes. Work with the business stakeholders to shape requirements, evaluate supplier proposals, and support selection decisions. Contribute to category planning and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Risk & Compliance: Ensure all procurement activities adhere to the strict regulatory standards of the UK banking industry and Ford's strong internal control framework. Support third party due diligence across information security, financial health, operational resilience, and regulatory compliance. Ensure adherence to FCA/PRA outsourcing expectations and internal third-party risk frameworks.
• Financial Integration & Reporting: Work directly with the Finance Controller and Financial Analysis teams to track procurement-led savings, manage budgets, and ensure that procurement activities contribute directly to FCE's financial health.
• Model Evolution: Use the 24-month assignment to refine the centralised procurement model. Collect data and build the business case for a permanent and standalone function within FCE or leveraging wider synergies across the enterprise, or other alternatives which would deliver more value.