At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and vendor management for Technology & Operations at Santander.
- Company: Join Santander, a tech-driven organisation focused on innovation and customer-centric transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, wellbeing support, global growth opportunities, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement with excellent career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while driving innovation and efficiency.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in technology procurement and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 83600 - 152754 £ per year.
Country: United Kingdom
IT STARTS HERE
Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible. This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.
Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.
Retail & Commercial Banking is a global business integrating all our retail and commercial banking activities to better serve our customers, improve efficiency and drive value creation.
THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE
Santander UK is looking for a Head of Technology & Operations Local Procurement based out of Milton Keynes. As Head of Technology & Operations Procurement – UK, you will lead the local procurement strategy and vendor management agenda across the UK Technology & Operations organization. You will be responsible for defining and executing sourcing strategies, managing strategic supplier relationships, driving commercial optimization, and ensuring strong governance across the end-to-end third-party lifecycle.
We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:
- Procurement Strategy & Leadership
- Define and execute the US procurement strategy for Technology & Operations categories
- Align sourcing initiatives with business, financial, operational, and transformation priorities
- Drive procurement maturity, simplification, and process standardization initiatives
- Act as a strategic advisor to senior T&O leadership on sourcing, supplier, and commercial decisions
- Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Management
- Lead complex sourcing initiatives across software, infrastructure, cloud, telecom, cybersecurity, professional services, BPO, workplace services, data, AI, and market data categories
- Lead high-value negotiations and commercial engagements with strategic vendors and local providers
- Drive value creation through cost optimization, demand management, commercial restructuring, and supplier rationalization
- Support transformation initiatives through innovative commercial models and strategic partnerships
- Vendor & Third-Party Governance
- Manage the end-to-end vendor lifecycle across strategic Technology & Operations suppliers
- Establish governance frameworks to monitor supplier performance, operational resilience, and contractual compliance
- Support third-party risk management activities in partnership with Risk, Legal, Compliance, Cybersecurity, and Internal Audit teams
- Ensure appropriate governance across outsourcing and critical third-party engagements
- Stakeholder & Executive Engagement
- Build strong relationships across Technology, Operations, Finance, Legal, Risk, Cybersecurity, and executive leadership teams
- Act as trusted advisor for procurement, sourcing, and vendor-related matters
- Influence sourcing and investment decisions through strong commercial and operational insight
- Financial & Operational Performance
- Drive procurement performance across savings, cost avoidance, vendor optimization, and value realization initiatives
- Support budget optimization and financial governance activities
- Challenge demand and consumption models to improve efficiency and scalability
- Team Leadership & Organizational Development
- Lead and develop a high-performing procurement and vendor management team
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and execution excellence
- Define performance objectives, KPIs, and development plans for the organization
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring. The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Professional Experience
- 10+ years of experience in Technology procurement, strategic sourcing, vendor management, or related functions
- Strong experience within financial services or other highly regulated industries
- Proven leadership experience managing complex sourcing and vendor ecosystems
- Demonstrated success leading large-scale negotiations across technology, software, cloud, outsourcing, and professional services
- Strong background in third-party governance, outsourcing oversight, and supplier risk management
Hard Skills
- Strong understanding of technology ecosystems, cloud, SaaS, infrastructure, and outsourcing models (Required)
- Familiarity with AI vendors, digital transformation trends, and emerging technologies (Required)
- Advanced sourcing and commercial negotiation expertise
- Strong analytical and financial acumen
Soft Skills
- Senior presence with strong stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to lead within complex matrix environments
- Strong communication, negotiation, and influencing capabilities
WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT
At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return. Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.
Salary Range: £101,836.00 - £152,754.00 per annum (depending on experience)
This salary range represents the expected remuneration for the role. Annual salary is based on a standard 35-hour working week. Actual salary offered will depend on skills, experience, qualifications and location.
Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.
Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.
Support for every life stage — from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.
Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.
Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.
Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.
LOCAL COMPLIANCE
At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation. We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates. We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.
To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles). When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s). We welcome applications on the understanding that, should you be offered this role, there may be no relocation package available. Santander will pay the employer mandatory government fees that are required to pay in connection with visa sponsorship. You may be liable for your own personal employee immigration and relocation costs.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply. For further Guidance please visit Internal Mobility - Candidate Guidance. If you want to know more about the opportunity: Please contact Adrian.Rodd@santander.co.uk
Head of Procurement | S5 | DFACT | Unity Place | Internal Mobility in Milton Keynes employer: Santander UK
Santander UK is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration within the financial services sector. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and comprehensive health coverage, alongside opportunities for professional growth in a supportive environment. Working in this dynamic location not only enhances career prospects but also allows for meaningful contributions to risk management in technology and operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement | S5 | DFACT | Unity Place | Internal Mobility in Milton Keynes
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Santander UK.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Procurement | S5 | DFACT | Unity Place | Internal Mobility in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Santander UK:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Santander UK. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Santander UK.
How to prepare for a job interview at Santander UK
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Santander UK!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Santander UK. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Santander UK's culture.
