At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and procurement activities to drive value and sustainability.
- Company: Join NBCUniversal, a global leader in media and entertainment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for community engagement.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Company Description
NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.
Job Summary
The Senior Manager, Sourcing & Procurement is responsible for leading strategic sourcing and procurement activities across the organisation, 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.
Major Responsibilities
- 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 organisation. 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.
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 organisation.
- 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, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. 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.
Senior Manager, Sourcing & Procurement in Bedford employer: NBCUniversal
At NBCUniversal, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programmes and mentorship opportunities, ensuring that our team members thrive in their careers. Located in the heart of the media and entertainment industry, we provide unique advantages such as access to world-class content creation and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager, Sourcing & Procurement in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Networking is key! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can help you find opportunities through our website, so don’t hesitate to explore!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their values. Practice common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Remember, we’re here to support you in landing that dream job!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills during interviews by sharing specific examples of your past achievements. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. Let’s make sure you shine when it counts!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews with a thank-you email. It shows your appreciation and keeps you on their radar. And remember, applying through our website gives you an edge, so keep checking for new openings!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager, Sourcing & Procurement in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Manager, Sourcing & Procurement role. Highlight your relevant experience in strategic sourcing and procurement, and don’t forget to mention any specific achievements that align with the job description.
Showcase Your Skills:We want to see your strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills shine through. Use examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and led procurement initiatives that delivered real value.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at NBCUniversal
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into NBCUniversal's operations and values. Familiarise yourself with their sourcing strategies and procurement practices. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your experience with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams effectively. Prepare examples of how you've mentored team members or driven procurement initiatives in the past. Highlight your successes in managing supplier relationships and achieving cost savings.
✨Prepare for Complex Negotiations
Expect questions around negotiation scenarios. Think of specific instances where you successfully navigated complex contract negotiations or resolved disputes. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes, showcasing your commercial acumen.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves collaboration with various departments, prepare to discuss how you've engaged with stakeholders in previous roles. Share examples of how you’ve provided commercial guidance and influenced decision-making across different levels of an organisation.
