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, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values authenticity and supports disability inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape a sustainable future while working with well-loved brands.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement 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, found in 94% of households nationwide.
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
- You'll take ownership of utility procurement and drive value across the business by:
- 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
Energy & Utilities Procurement Manager in Watford 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 operational excellence. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to employee growth through extensive training opportunities, we empower our colleagues to thrive and make a meaningful impact within one of the UK's leading food businesses.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Energy & Utilities Procurement Manager in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the energy and utilities sector. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Premier Foods inside out. Understand their brands, values, and recent news. We want you to show how your skills in procurement can help them achieve their sustainability goals. Tailor your answers to reflect their mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. Focus on articulating your experience in supplier management and negotiation. We want you to feel confident and ready to impress when it’s your turn in the hot seat!
✨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 and engaged. Let’s get you one step closer to that Procurement Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Energy & Utilities Procurement Manager in Watford
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, especially in utilities, and showcase your negotiation skills. 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 background aligns with our goals at Premier Foods. Don’t forget to mention your commitment to sustainability and how you can help shape a greener future.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In this role, strong analytical skills are key. Be sure to include examples of how you've used data to inform your procurement strategies or drive cost optimisation. We love seeing candidates who can think critically and make data-driven decisions!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application 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 sustainability practices. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're proactive and well-prepared for the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how you balanced cost, sustainability, and risk. This will demonstrate your capability to manage supplier relationships effectively, which is crucial for the Procurement Manager role.
✨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 drive efficiency and support site requirements. Strong stakeholder engagement is key!
✨Bring Your Analytical A-Game
Prepare to discuss your analytical approach to procurement. Share examples of how you've used data to inform strategies or mitigate risks. This will highlight your problem-solving capabilities and show that you can contribute to long-term planning at Premier Foods.
