Procurement Category Manager - Property & Retail

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Procurement team at a pivotal time for M&S, as we continue to transform our store estate, modernise retail operations and unlock greater commercial value across the business.

We’re looking for three Procurement Category Managers to join our Retail and Property Procurement team, reporting into the Head of Procurement, Property and Retail Services. You’ll be part of a high-performing, collaborative team. This team works closely with colleagues in Property, Retail, Finance, Legal, and our supplier network. Together, they deliver meaningful commercial impact in areas central to M&S’s future. The team operates as one joined-up function, with Category Managers owning key areas of spend while also working flexibly across Property and Retail to support business priorities, project demands and development opportunities.

Property

Two of the roles will focus on Property, supporting a spend of approximately £600m and playing an important part in M&S’ New and Renewal Store programme as we continue to expand and modernise our retail footprint across the UK. You’ll develop and deliver category strategies across store fit-out and related areas, including shopfit equipment, flooring, lighting, refrigeration, ovens, racking and furniture. This is a brilliant opportunity to shape the supply base, identify high-quality partners, support major store programmes and leverage demand to maximise commercial value.

Retail

One of the roles will focus on Retail Operations, a broad and varied category with spend of approximately £280m. This includes services and goods such as Security, Cleaning, Waste, Cash Management, Consumables, Carrier Bags, Hangers and Mystery Shopping. As part of M&S’ Retail Transformation programme, this role will support the modernisation of store operations, driving efficiency, innovation and cost improvement. Procurement is leading the “Cost Out” agenda, reviewing the supply base, optimising scope, identifying tendering opportunities and negotiating strong commercial outcomes.

Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible.

What you’ll do

• Building strong, trusted relationships with Property, Retail, Finance, Legal and Procurement colleagues to become a valued commercial partner across the business.
• Developing and delivering category strategies that support business priorities, commercial objectives and long-term value creation.
• Managing end-to-end source to contract activity, including sourcing strategy, market engagement, tendering, negotiation, contract award and use of eProcurement systems.
• Partnering with Finance and business collaborators to identify, deliver and track cost out, cost mitigation and value protection opportunities.
• Supporting effective contract governance, supplier relationship management and in-life commercial control to ensure value is delivered throughout the contract lifecycle.

Who you are

• Strong category management and strategic sourcing experience, ideally within Property, Retail Operations or a similarly complex commercial environment.
• Excellent communication and business partner management skills, with the ability to adapt your style, influence effectively and build strong working relationships.
• Confident negotiation skills, sound commercial judgement and the ability to construct compelling cases for approval.
• A forward-thinking and strategic approach, with the confidence to challenge the status quo and identify innovative ways of working.
• A good understanding of contracts, supplier governance, contract management and supplier relationship management, with experience using eProcurement systems.

What’s in it for you?

Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing. Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:

• 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation.
• Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
• Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours.
• Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future.
• Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one.
• Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal.
• Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave.
• 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services.
• One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you.

Everyone’s welcome

We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.

We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together. If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.