Operational Procurement Lead in London

Operational Procurement Lead in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Job Search Place Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and innovate in operational procurement, ensuring optimal stock levels and developing automated tools.
  • Company: Dynamic company focused on growth and sustainability in supply chain management.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday, volunteering days, and discounts on products.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth and a supportive team environment.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in shaping a high-performing operational machine and drive impactful change.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in procurement with strong leadership and tech-savvy skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

Responsibilities

  • Build & Scale the Function: You’ll be the architect of our non‑horticultural stock planning strategy. This is a "build from scratch" opportunity where you will set the vision for how we scale, demonstrating the ability to turn rapid business growth into a sophisticated, high‑performing operational machine.
  • Master Stock Availability: You will lead your team to ensure optimal stock levels across all sites, balancing high availability with the need to minimise waste and holding costs. Navigating multi‑site space constraints, you’ll work in lockstep with our Warehouse teams and Strategic Procurement Managers to ensure our supply is as efficient as it is reliable.
  • Develop & Automate: Build scalable, custom, automated supply chain and inventory tools and develop AI workflows to eliminate manual data entry and calculation tasks. You will lead the development of agile, spreadsheet‑based solutions while mapping the transition to long‑term, robust systems.
  • Process & KPI Leadership: Develop standardised processes and frameworks, leading weekly KPI reviews to shift the function from reactive problem‑solving to proactive inventory and risk management. You’ll define what "success" looks like for the department.
  • Team Transformation & Development: Provide oversight, coaching, and mentorship to a team of stock planners, transitioning them from manual execution to analytical decision‑making. You will build internal succession and resilience, ensuring the team is equipped to handle increasing complexity.
  • Strategic Growth & Inventory Control: De‑risk the launch of new ranges by ensuring our operational infrastructure is mature enough to handle increased SKU counts. You’ll collaborate with the commercial team to ensure the right‑sized inventory levels to protect availability, de‑risk peak periods, and release trapped cash, while developing third‑party relationships to manage excess stock.
  • Operational Execution: Support with planning and execution when needed to ensure continuity (especially when issues occur or in peak times).
  • 3PW Performance Management: Measure and manage performance of our 3PW partner against agreed SLA terms.
  • Supplier Performance: Build internal operational performance reporting and supplier tiering, put in place initiatives to improve operational supplier performance.

Qualifications

  • 5+ years experience in a procurement, purchasing, supply chain or supply planning role, with experience leading a team.
  • Have a proven track record in supply chain scalability – You have experience managing exponential growth of SKUs by using technology and automation to absorb increasing complexity.
  • Are tech‑savvy and systems‑oriented – You have strong capabilities in building automated tools using G‑suite and other platforms, and have been leveraging AI to increase your impact in this area.
  • Are a strong leader and mentor – You excel at coaching team members, fostering a performance culture centred around accountability and ownership of results and know how to manage your stakeholders effectively.
  • Have a continuous improvement mindset – You are adept at identifying system limitations and establishing continuous feedback loops with your team to resolve and automate them further.
  • Are proactive and hands‑on – You are willing to be a direct contributor to enable scale, rolling up your sleeves to understand operational tasks to a high standard and covering gaps during peak periods or illness.
  • Are commercially and data‑driven – You are motivated by protecting margins, eliminating P&L leakage driven by manual errors, and right-sizing inventory levels to optimise working capital and cash flow.

Benefits

  • Flexible working & work from abroad.
  • 25 days holiday plus your birthday, flexible bank holidays, and option to buy additional holiday each year.
  • 1 volunteering day each year.
  • Enhanced family leave and a workplace nursery scheme.
  • A flexible training framework for every stage of your career.
  • Irresistible discounts on our products, blooms & subscriptions.
  • Share in our success with a choice to take equity options from day 1.
  • ClassPass membership: monthly credits to spend on fitness classes, yoga and much more.

Operational Procurement Lead in London employer: Job Search Place Limited

As an Operational Procurement Lead, you will thrive in a dynamic environment that champions innovation and growth. Our company offers a flexible working culture, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to employee development through tailored training frameworks. With opportunities for equity participation and a focus on work-life balance, we empower our team to excel while enjoying the benefits of a supportive and engaging workplace.

Job Search Place Limited

Contact Details:

Job Search Place Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Operational Procurement Lead in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around scaling operations and inventory management.

Tip Number 3

Show off your tech skills! Be ready to discuss how you've used automation and AI in past roles. Companies love candidates who can bring innovative solutions to the table.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Operational Procurement Lead in London

Stock Planning Strategy
Inventory Management
Supply Chain Automation
AI Workflows Development
KPI Development
Team Leadership
Performance Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Operational Procurement Lead role. Highlight your achievements in supply chain scalability and team leadership to show us you’re the right fit.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our vision. Share specific examples of how you've built and scaled functions in the past.

Showcase Your Tech Savvy:Since we’re looking for someone who’s tech-savvy, mention any tools or technologies you’ve used to automate processes. Let us know how you’ve leveraged AI or G-suite to improve efficiency in your previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process.

How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited

Know Your Numbers

Make sure you’re familiar with key metrics related to stock availability and inventory management. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles, especially in scaling operations.

Showcase Your Tech Savvy

Prepare examples of how you've leveraged technology and automation in your past positions. Whether it’s using G-suite tools or AI workflows, demonstrate your ability to build scalable solutions that enhance efficiency.

Demonstrate Leadership Skills

Think about specific instances where you’ve coached or mentored team members. Be prepared to share how you foster a performance culture and manage stakeholders effectively, as this role requires strong leadership.

Emphasise Continuous Improvement

Come equipped with examples of how you've identified system limitations and implemented feedback loops. Highlight your proactive approach to problem-solving and how you’ve contributed to operational excellence in your previous roles.