At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies for utilities and drive sustainability initiatives.
- Company: Join Premier Foods, a top UK food business with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and private medical.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values authenticity and supports disability inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape a sustainable future while working with beloved household names.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € 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, making us one of the UK's top three ambient food suppliers.
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. Working cross-functionally, you'll bring insight, energy and expertise to support operational performance and long-term planning.
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
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.
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. As a Procurement Manager in St Albans, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, generous benefits including a car allowance and private medical insurance, and ample opportunities for professional growth through extensive training programmes. Join us in shaping a sustainable future while working with some of the UK's most beloved brands in a supportive and dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their brands and how your skills can help them achieve their goals. Tailor your answers to show you're the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to build confidence. Focus on articulating your experience in procurement and how it aligns with the role of Procurement Manager at Premier Foods.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Procurement Manager role. Highlight your experience in procurement, especially with 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 skills align with our goals at Premier Foods. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; highlight your achievements in previous roles. Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you've driven cost optimisation or improved supplier relationships. We appreciate results-driven candidates!
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 from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Premier Foods
✨Know Your Utilities Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you brush up on your knowledge of utility procurement, especially in areas like energy and water. Familiarise yourself with current market trends, regulatory changes, and sustainability practices. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to 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 while managing supplier relationships. This will give the interviewers a clear picture of your capabilities and how you can add value to their procurement strategy.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves working cross-functionally, think about how you can effectively engage with different teams like Engineering, Operations, and Finance. Be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with various stakeholders in previous roles to achieve common goals.
✨Demonstrate a Results-Driven Mindset
Prepare to discuss how you've driven cost optimisation and value creation in your previous positions. Use metrics and data to back up your claims, as this will illustrate your analytical skills and proactive approach to procurement challenges.
