At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing strategies and manage supplier relationships in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Mars Wrigley, a diverse and inclusive company driving innovation in snacking.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, car allowance, and hybrid working model.
- Other info: Access to best-in-class learning and development from day one.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced role with growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Significant procurement experience and strong negotiation skills required.
At Mars Wrigley, we value diversity and inclusivity. We seek a Senior Procurement Manager to join Mars Drinks & Treats, an entrepreneurial unit driving growth in new snacking categories across the ECE region.
Location: UK – Hybrid working model, minimum 2 days per week in the Slough office.
Salary: £76,000 - £90,000, annual bonus, benefits, car allowance
Contract: 12-months fixed-term contract
About the Role
You will lead sourcing strategy, supplier management, and continuous improvement within Drinks & Treats’s co-manufacturing portfolio, supporting long-term growth and innovation.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies with category stakeholders.
- Identify, negotiate with, and qualify co-manufacturing partners.
- Manage supplier relationships to deliver ongoing quality & service requirements plus driving related innovation.
- Drive cost management, pricing negotiations, and risk mitigation.
- Lead cross function sustainability and value creation initiatives.
- Ensure alignment across key business functions.
- Optimize commercial processes and support change initiatives.
- Manage, mentor and onboard buyers in the team.
What We’re Looking For
- Significant procurement experience at management level.
- Strong financial, communication, and negotiation skills.
- Experience in category management and buying.
- Knowledge of manufacturing and operational processes.
- Ability and passion to lead cross-functional teams in an entrepreneurial, fast paced & dynamic environment.
- FMCG or food industry experience is a plus.
What can you expect from Mars?
- Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
- Join a purpose-driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
- An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.
Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or who are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process.
Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager (Drinks & Treats) 12-months contract in Slough employer: Mars
Mars in Melton Mowbray is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With competitive salaries, private healthcare, and ample opportunities for career advancement, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive in their roles while working with state-of-the-art technology in the FMCG sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager (Drinks & Treats) 12-months contract in Slough
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager (Drinks & Treats) 12-months contract in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Mars that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Mars can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Mars that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Mars know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mars
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
