At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead energy and utilities procurement to drive sustainability and cost optimisation.
- Company: Join Premier Foods, a top UK food business with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, private medical, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values authenticity and supports disability inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape a sustainable future while working with renowned brands and diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Proven procurement experience and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
Based - St Albans, AL1 2RE (Hybrid 50%) Permanent, Full Time
Join Premier Foods — where people, brands and purpose come together. We’re proud to be one of the UK’s largest listed food businesses, with over 4,000 colleagues across 13 sites shaping the future of some of Britain’s best‑loved brands.
Role Purpose
This is your opportunity to take ownership of a critical category, work across our business, and help shape a more sustainable future through smarter energy and utilities procurement. As Procurement Manager – Utilities, you’ll lead the strategy and sourcing of key utility categories including electricity, gas, renewables, diesel, water, ETS and PRNs. You’ll play a pivotal role in balancing cost, sustainability and risk, ensuring our supply base is resilient, compliant and aligned to our business goals.
What you’ll be doing
- Developing and delivering category strategies for Utilities, including energy and water
- Leading sourcing activity end-to-end, from tenders through to negotiation and supplier selection
- Managing supplier relationships across utilities and service providers
- Monitoring utilities markets, regulatory changes and global trends to inform strategy and mitigate risk
- Driving cost optimisation and value creation through strategic sourcing and continuous improvement
- Partnering with Engineering, Operations, Finance and ESG teams to support site requirements and improve efficiency
- Driving sustainability through carbon reduction, energy efficiency and responsible resource use
- Using market insight (including price, FX and regulatory shifts) to recommend and support hedging strategies
- Ensuring strong governance, supplier compliance and risk management across the supply base
- Supporting forecasting and budgeting processes with accurate cost insights
What you'll bring
- Proven experience in procurement
- Strong negotiation and supplier management skills
- Ability to develop and execute category strategies
- Strong analytical, commercial and problem-solving capability
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- A proactive, results-driven approach with the ability to work independently
- Knowledge of utilities
What we offer in return
- Competitive salary
- Car Allowance
- Bonus
- Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Sharesave Scheme
- EV Car Scheme
- Private Medical
- Up to 7.5% pension
- Life assurance
- Wide range of online and in-house training
- Access to an employee discount scheme, with access to hundreds of nationwide retailers
At Premier Foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome. We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you experience any access issues or require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know so we can ensure you have the support you need.
Energy & Utilities Procurement Manager in St Albans employer: Premier Foods
At Premier Foods, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions inclusion and individuality. Located in St Albans, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while you take ownership of critical procurement strategies that drive sustainability and efficiency across our iconic brands. With competitive benefits, extensive training opportunities, and a commitment to employee growth, we empower our colleagues to thrive in a meaningful and rewarding environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Energy & Utilities Procurement Manager in St Albans
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the energy and utilities sector on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Premier Foods and their approach to sustainability in procurement. Show us you’re not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to our mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Procurement Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to drive value. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Energy & Utilities Procurement Manager in St Albans
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Energy & Utilities Procurement Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in procurement and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your skills match what we're looking for. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of sustainability and how you can contribute to our goals.
Showcase Your Skills:In your application, be sure to showcase your negotiation and supplier management skills. We love candidates who can demonstrate their analytical and problem-solving capabilities, so share examples that highlight these strengths!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Premier Foods
✨Know Your Utilities Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the utilities market. Understand current trends, regulatory changes, and how they impact procurement strategies. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're proactive and well-prepared.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how you balanced cost with sustainability and risk management. This will demonstrate your ability to drive value and align with the company's goals.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've collaborated with different teams in previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you can partner with Engineering, Operations, and Finance at Premier Foods to enhance operational performance and efficiency.
✨Emphasise Sustainability
Given the role's focus on sustainability, come prepared with ideas on how to drive carbon reduction and energy efficiency. Discuss any relevant projects you've worked on that align with these values, showing your commitment to a greener future.
