At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management for marketing and business services.
- Company: Join Merlin Entertainments, a leader in global entertainment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to innovate and excel.
- Why this job: Drive procurement transformation and make a real impact on our business strategy.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong leadership skills required.
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 Marketing, Facilities and Business Services 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 Leadership, Operations, Finance, and Legal to ensure category strategies deliver strong commercial value while supporting Merlin’s transformation and long‑term agenda.
Key Responsibilities
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Act as a trusted commercial partner to the 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
Procurement Director - Growth and Business Services employer: Merlin
Merlin Entertainments is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Procurement Director, you will benefit from a culture that prioritises professional growth, with ample opportunities for career advancement and skills development. The company fosters a supportive atmosphere, encouraging employees to drive transformation and make a meaningful impact within a global leader in entertainment.
