At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management for global retail and F&B operations.
- Company: Join Merlin Entertainments, a leader in the entertainment industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, life assurance, and a Merlin Magic Pass for free attractions.
- Other info: Be part of a fun, friendly team with amazing career prospects.
- Why this job: Drive procurement transformation and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive procurement experience in Retail and F&B, with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: London - Arbor Building
Division: Global Procurement
Role Overview
The Procurement Director is responsible for leading the strategic sourcing, supplier management, and commercial optimization of the global retail, food, beverage and operational spend across Merlin Entertainments. The role will lead the development and implementation of a best‑in‑class category strategy, delivering value through cost optimization, supplier innovation, and risk management.
A key element of the role is to drive procurement transformation, including building structured category management frameworks, improving governance, and embedding procurement as a strategic partner to technology leadership. The role will work closely with the COO Leadership, Operations, Finance, and Legal to ensure category strategies deliver strong commercial value while supporting Merlin’s transformation and long term agenda.
Key Responsibilities
- Category Strategy Development
- Lead a team to develop and implement global category strategies.
- Establish the category management framework, including spend analysis, supplier segmentation, sourcing pipelines, and performance KPIs.
- Build a multi-year strategic sourcing roadmap aligned with the strategy of Merlin Entertainments.
- Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, cost reduction, and service optimization.
- Procurement Transformation
- Drive the maturity and transformation of the procurement function within the global category.
- Implement best‑practice sourcing processes, governance models, and procurement policies.
- Introduce structured category management tools, supplier performance management frameworks, and contract lifecycle management practices.
- Support the adoption of digital procurement tools, spend analytics, and sourcing platforms.
- Lead initiatives to improve procurement visibility, compliance, and commercial discipline across spend.
- Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Leadership
- Lead complex RFx processes, commercial negotiations, and contract development for high-value and high-risk suppliers.
- Deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation across spend.
- Provide commercial leadership on strategic initiatives.
- Ensure strong contract structures covering SLAs, performance metrics, security, and risk mitigation.
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Develop and manage strategic supplier partnerships.
- Establish a supplier performance management framework including regular reviews and innovation roadmaps.
- Collaborate with suppliers to deliver continuous improvement, innovation, and value.
- Monitor supplier risk and ensure compliance with governance, cybersecurity, and data protection requirements.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a trusted commercial partner to the COO Leadership team and business stakeholders.
- Provide guidance on sourcing strategies, supplier selection, and technology commercial models.
- Build strong relationships with finance, legal, and risk teams to ensure effective contract governance.
- Support business cases and investment decisions through commercial analysis and procurement insights.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Extensive procurement experience in Retail, Food, Beverage and Operations categories within a complex global organization.
- Strong experience developing and implementing category strategies from the ground up.
- Demonstrated success delivering procurement transformation or maturity improvements.
- Strong commercial negotiation and contract management skills.
- Experience managing strategic supplier relationships with global technology vendors.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with senior executives.
Desirable
- MCIPS, CIPS, or equivalent procurement qualification.
Key Competencies
- Strategic thinking and category leadership.
- Procurement transformation mindset.
- Commercial negotiation excellence.
- Stakeholder influence and collaboration.
- Data‑driven decision making.
- Supplier relationship management.
- Change leadership.
Success Measures
- Delivery of measurable cost savings and value creation across managed spend.
- Successful implementation of category strategies.
- Improved procurement governance and compliance.
- Strong supplier performance and innovation outcomes.
- Procurement recognized as a strategic partner to Merlin leadership.
Benefits
We’re growing fast and alongside a fun and friendly environment, we offer a fabulous package and amazing prospects – ideal if you’re already fantastic and want to become even better. Benefits include Pension, Life Assurance, discretionary company bonus, 25 days’ holiday and, of course, a Merlin Magic Pass which gives you and your friends and family free admission to all of our attractions worldwide, as well as 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants and 40% discount on LEGO.
Pay Range: Competitive
Procurement Director - Retail/ F&B/ Operations in London employer: Merlin
Merlin Entertainments is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture in the heart of London. As a Procurement Director, you will benefit from a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and unique perks such as the Merlin Magic Pass, which grants free access to attractions worldwide. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, this role provides the opportunity to lead transformative procurement initiatives while collaborating with senior leadership in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Director - Retail/ F&B/ Operations in London
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Merlin.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Director - Retail/ F&B/ Operations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Merlin:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Merlin. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Merlin.
How to prepare for a job interview at Merlin
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Merlin!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Merlin. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Merlin's culture.
