At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and procurement activities to deliver value and ensure supply assurance.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at NBCUniversal, a leader in the media industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving procurement initiatives that support sustainability and operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and sourcing, with strong leadership and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Senior Manager, Sourcing & Procurement is responsible for leading strategic sourcing and procurement activities across the organization, ensuring the delivery of best value, commercial advantage, and supply assurance. The role develops and executes sourcing strategies, manages high‑value supplier relationships, and leads procurement initiatives that support business objectives, cost optimisation, risk management, sustainability goals, and operational excellence. This position provides leadership to procurement teams, drives continuous improvement and governance initiatives, and acts as a trusted commercial partner to senior stakeholders across the business.
Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
- Develop and implement category and sourcing strategies aligned with organisational and commercial objectives, leading end‑to‑end sourcing activities including market engagement, supplier evaluation, tendering, supplier selection, and contract negotiation to deliver cost savings, value creation, and supply continuity.
- Support long‑term sourcing strategies and support operational resilience through proactive sourcing initiatives.
- Ensure all procurement activities are conducted in compliance with internal governance, procurement policies, and applicable UK regulations.
Supplier & Contract Management
- Manage and develop strategic supplier relationships through effective performance management, continuous improvement initiatives, and contract lifecycle oversight, ensuring commercial, legal, and operational compliance.
- Lead complex negotiations, contract renewals, dispute resolution, and supply chain risk mitigation activities to support resilience and business continuity.
Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
- Lead procurement performance reporting across savings, supplier KPIs, risk, and compliance metrics, using data‑driven insights to support operational and strategic decision‑making.
- Champion process optimisation, digital procurement tools, sustainability, ESG, and ethical sourcing initiatives, while supporting audits and governance reviews as required.
Stakeholder & Leadership Engagement
- Act as a strategic business partner to Finance, Operations, Legal, and Executive leadership teams by providing clear commercial guidance and challenge to support value‑driven decision‑making.
- Lead, mentor, and develop procurement team members while promoting procurement best practices and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional stakeholders to align sourcing strategies with broader business and operational objectives.
- Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established Universal policy, procedures, training, and team member involvement activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent professional experience in procurement, supply chain, business, or a related field is required.
- Progressive procurement and sourcing experience required, including leadership responsibilities; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Preferred experience across multiple procurement categories including indirect spend, professional services, IT, construction, or manufacturing environments.
- Preferred experience working within public sector, regulated, or governance‑driven environments, including familiarity with procurement policies and compliance frameworks.
- Must have significant experience in senior sourcing or procurement management roles.
- Preferred experience using ERP and e‑procurement systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Ariba, Jaggaer), along with knowledge of sustainability, ESG, and supply chain risk management principles.
- CIPS Level 5 or 6 (or equivalent) strongly preferred. Membership of CIPS or another relevant professional body desirable.
- Must have strong commercial and financial acumen, with excellent negotiation, stakeholder engagement, influencing, and relationship management skills across multiple levels of the organization.
- Must have experience leading, mentoring, and developing procurement teams, along with a strong understanding of UK procurement practices, commercial governance, and compliance requirements.
- Must be able to work flexibly and varying schedule based on business needs.
Additional Information
As part of our selection process, NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.
Senior Manager, Sourcing & Procurement in Bedford employer: NBC Universal
At NBCUniversal, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture. As a Senior Manager in Sourcing & Procurement, you will benefit from our commitment to employee growth through continuous learning opportunities and mentorship, while also enjoying the advantages of working in a vibrant location that champions sustainability and innovation. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative environment where your expertise will be valued and your contributions recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager, Sourcing & Procurement in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement and sourcing field. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions to key players in companies you're interested in.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s procurement strategies and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can add value.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Manager, you’ll need to showcase your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence and refine your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager, Sourcing & Procurement in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Manager, Sourcing & Procurement role. Highlight your strategic sourcing experience and any leadership roles you've held to show us you're the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about procurement and how your background makes you a perfect match for our team. Don't forget to mention specific achievements that demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Your Achievements:When filling out your application, be sure to include quantifiable achievements from your previous roles. We love numbers! Whether it's cost savings or supplier performance improvements, let us see the impact you've made.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at NBC Universal
✨Know Your Sourcing Strategies
Before the interview, brush up on various sourcing strategies and procurement best practices. Be ready to discuss how you've developed and implemented these strategies in your previous roles, as this will show your expertise and alignment with the company's objectives.
✨Showcase Supplier Relationship Management
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and improved performance. Highlight any specific initiatives that led to cost savings or enhanced compliance, as this demonstrates your ability to drive value and maintain supply continuity.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Senior Manager, you'll need to lead teams effectively. Think of instances where you've mentored or developed team members, and be ready to share how you promote best practices and continuous improvement within your team.
✨Understand Compliance and Risk Management
Familiarise yourself with UK procurement regulations and compliance frameworks. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated these in past roles, as well as your approach to risk management and governance, which are crucial for this position.
