At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement activities and drive sourcing excellence across marketing and commercial categories.
- Company: Join STADA UK Thornton & Ross, a growing company committed to caring for people's health.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, health benefits, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Diverse culture promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while embracing innovation and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a proactive mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
STADA UK Thornton & Ross is on an exciting growth journey with more than 700 employees being fully committed to our purpose of Caring for People's Health as a Trusted Partner.
Together we are shaping the future of Thornton & Ross by living our values of Integrity, Entrepreneurship, Agility and One STADA.
If you want to work in an open culture where your uniqueness is valued, join our Team.
- STADA UK Thornton & Ross - Senior Procurement Category Manager -Commercial Indirect
- Reading |U. K.| Full-time | Permanent
As a Senior Procurement Category Manager - Commercial Indirect, you will lead procurement activities across Marketing and other Commercial Indirect spend categories, driving end-to-end sourcing excellence, supplier management, contract negotiation, and cost optimisation.
You'll combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution to identify opportunities for value creation, improve processes, and support sustainable business growth.
As a key business partner, you will collaborate cross-functionally providing market insight, commercial guidance, and procurement expertise.
You will also contribute to the transformation of procurement through digital tools, analytics, and AI-enabled solutions that improve visibility, efficiency, and decision-making.
- How You Will Make Impact
- Procurement & Sourcing
- Develop and implement local category and sourcing strategies aligned with global procurement strategies and wider business objectives.
- Lead end-to-end procurement activities including tendering, supplier selection, negotiation, contract award, and supplier onboarding.
- Deliver measurable cost savings, value creation, and total cost of ownership improvements across indirect spend categories.
- Ensure all procurement activities comply with internal governance, procurement policies, and relevant regulatory requirements.
- Build and maintain strong strategic supplier partnerships that drive innovation, service excellence, and long-term value.
- Negotiate commercial agreements, contracts, and service level agreements (SLAs) to optimise commercial outcomes.
- Monitor supplier performance, compliance, and risk through regular business reviews and KPI tracking.
- Proactively identify and mitigate cost price increases through effective commercial and contractual negotiations.
- Stakeholder Management
- Act as a trusted procurement partner to stakeholders across multiple business functions.
- Influence and challenge stakeholders constructively to achieve the best commercial outcomes.
- Support budget owners with procurement planning, forecasting, and strategic sourcing decisions.
- Analyse spend data and market trends to identify opportunities, efficiencies, and potential risks.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives and promote procurement best practices across the organisation.
- Support sustainability, ESG, and responsible sourcing objectives in line with company commitments.
- Contribute to the development and standardisation of procurement tools, templates, and processes.
- Digital & AI-Enabled Procurement
- Champion data-driven and AI-enabled procurement solutions to improve spend visibility and supplier performance.
- Develop procurement dashboards and reporting capabilities to support business decision-making.
- Partner with stakeholders to align procurement initiatives with ROI and performance metrics.
- Drive automation and digital transformation of procurement processes where possible.
What We're Looking For
At STADA UK Thornton & Ross, we embrace Uniqueness—recognising the value that diverse perspectives bring to our work.
Our core values—Entrepreneurship, Integrity, Agility, and One STADA—guide how we collaborate and innovate.
- We are looking for a candidate who aligns with these values and brings the following:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
- CIPS qualification (or working towards certification).
- Significant procurement experience within the pharmaceutical, healthcare, FMCG, or regulated commercial environment.
- Strong experience managing end-to-end procurement and category management processes within global or matrix organisations.
- Expertise in supplier negotiation, contract management, and strategic sourcing.
- Experience using procurement systems, spend analytics, and digital procurement tools.
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
- Strong analytical thinking with the ability to translate data into commercial insight and action.
- A proactive, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented approach.
- Strong communication and influencing skills with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders.
- A continuous improvement mindset with interest in innovation, automation, and AI-enabled procurement.
- How We Care For You
At Thornton & Ross our purpose "Caring for people's health as a trusted partner" motivates us every day.
And what would be a better place than starting with our own employees.
Which is why we give much in return
- Competitive salary, car allowance and annual bonus scheme.
- Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme offering 8% employer contribution rates.
- Hybrid working - we spend three days of your choice in the office, with the remaining days working at home.
- 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays with the potential to buy up to 5 additional days.
- Health benefits provided through our Vitality Private Medical Insurance.
- Wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme and KYAN Wellbeing - offering free coaching and counselling services for you and your family.
- Electric Car Scheme through Octopus Energy, plus free on-site EV charging.
- Enhanced Family Leave.
- Plus, many more employee benefits & celebration events.
STADA Group values and promotes its diverse culture, regardless of gender, age, social or ethnic origin, disabilities, religion, ideology, or sexual orientation.
We use the strength of our uniqueness to develop creative ideas, expand our experience and increase innovative strength.
Our focus is on equal opportunities, respectful cooperation, and the promotion of an inclusive working environment.
We are looking forward to your application and welcome applications without a pharmaceutical background.
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Senior Procurement Category Manager - Commercial Indirects in Reading employer: STADA Thornton & Ross
STADA Thornton & Ross is an exceptional employer located in Reading, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development alongside competitive salaries, hybrid working options, and comprehensive health benefits, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Procurement Category Manager - Commercial Indirects in Reading
✨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 STADA Thornton & Ross.
✨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 Senior Procurement Category Manager - Commercial Indirects in Reading
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 STADA Thornton & Ross:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to STADA Thornton & Ross. 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 STADA Thornton & Ross.
How to prepare for a job interview at STADA Thornton & Ross
✨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 STADA Thornton & Ross!
✨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 STADA Thornton & Ross. 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 STADA Thornton & Ross's culture.
