At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and negotiate contracts to optimise supply chain services.
- Company: Join the UK's largest employee-owned business, John Lewis and Waitrose.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a focus on work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while driving business improvements.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; embrace diversity and thrive in a supportive culture.
The predicted salary is between 49000 - 69000 ÂŁ per year.
We are seeking a commercially astute and experienced Procurement Manager to join our Supply Chain Procurement Team. As a Procurement Manager, you will play a vital role in delivering best‑in‑class Sourcing, Negotiation, Category Planning and Supplier Management for Good Not For Resale (GNFR) Procurement. The focus scope for this role is John Lewis Distribution which comprises Third‑Party Logistics (3PLs), 1 & 2 Person Carriers, Warehouse Automation & Equipment. You will also have scope and flexibility to work on other projects within the wider Supply Chain Procurement category team, such as Waitrose 3PLs, International Freight, UK Consolidated Primary Inbound transport services and Pan Partnership Fleet & Fuel.
You will actively challenge how the business allocates costs, commits spend and manages third parties to reduce the overall GNFR spend and third‑party risk, ensuring the Partnership achieves the best value. As a Procurement Manager, you will deliver compliance to Procurement Policy and, through the supplier management and risk frameworks, ensure regulatory compliance and commercial risk for the Partnership is protected. Your role will involve applying business acumen and procurement expertise to identify and execute business improvements. You’ll provide in‑depth analysis, underpinned with digital tools such as Coupa Sourcing Optimisation AI and market insight tools, to support decision‑making and demonstrate an understanding of internal and external trends. Effective stakeholder management is essential. You will engage with Partners across Supply Chain, Change Management, Commercial Finance and Legal, including Senior Leaders and work externally with third‑party suppliers.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide commercial expertise and procurement leadership to key business stakeholders, securing commercial agreements.
- Deliver best‑in‑class sourcing, supplier management activity and planning and executing negotiation strategies for GNFR Procurement.
- Demonstrate an understanding of internal and external trends relating to your area of responsibility and a broader understanding of the wider market.
- Deliver compliance to Procurement policy and, through the supplier management and risk frameworks, ensure regulatory compliance and commercial risk for the Partnership is protected.
- Actively support and contribute to supplier rationalisation across the Partnership, ensuring that the area of responsibility follows best practice, policy and procedures, uses procurement tools and remains consistent with Partnership principles and our Ethics & Sustainability ambitions.
Essential skills & experience
- Broad procurement experience, including category planning and supplier management.
- Extensive experience buying a full range of Supply Chain Services & Equipment.
- Extensive negotiation and contracting expertise.
- Critical analysis and influencing skills to work with and influence a broad cross‑section of stakeholders.
- Commercial expertise to drive and deliver business improvement opportunities across the business.
- Good understanding of procurement strategy, policy, process and systems.
Desirable skills & experience
- CIPS or CILT qualified or working towards.
- Understanding of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) programmes as they relate to third‑party outcomes.
- Professional negotiation training via a specialist provider such as The GAP Partnership, Scotworks or CIPS.
Closing Date: January 27 2026
Salary: £57,800 – £86,400 (Annual)
Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern/flexible working: The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, allowing you to work a mix between the office and home based on your personal needs while balancing the needs of the business.
Location of work: You may choose between a London or Bracknell office base and are expected to travel to either office with additional travel to visit the Distribution Leadership team in Milton Keynes and other Supplier and Partnership locations depending on your projects.
We’re the largest employee‑owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. We are ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify, never knowingly undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food‑lovers in Waitrose. As Partners, we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong, embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can thrive. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.
We also recommend applying as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. We want all of our Partners to have a good work‑life balance and support flexible working, including flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Important points to note: Some of our roles are subject to pre‑employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third‑party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
Procurement Manager in Bracknell employer: John Lewis Partnership
Contact Detail:
John Lewis Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager in Bracknell
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Show them you understand their needs and how you can bring value to their team. Tailor your examples to highlight your negotiation and supplier management skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings! Be proactive and reach out directly to companies you admire, like John Lewis or Waitrose. Express your interest in potential roles and share how your expertise aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance of landing that dream job! We want to see your application and get to know you better, so don’t hesitate to hit that apply button as soon as you find a role that excites you.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager in Bracknell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Procurement Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate how you've used them in past roles. Use specific examples that relate to category planning and procurement strategy to show us you’re the right fit.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key achievements stand out. This will help us see your potential quickly!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis Partnership
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially around GNFR and supply chain services. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in supplier management and negotiation strategies, as these will likely come up during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've used data analysis in past roles to drive business improvements. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've applied digital tools like Coupa Sourcing Optimisation AI to support decision-making.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Think about how you've managed relationships with various stakeholders in previous positions. Be prepared to explain your approach to influencing senior leaders and collaborating with cross-functional teams, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Compliance and Risk Management
Understand the importance of compliance in procurement. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured regulatory compliance and managed commercial risks in your previous roles, as this will be a key responsibility in the new position.