Sourcing Manager - Operations in Glasgow

What Makes This a Great Opportunity? The role is part of the International Sourcing function and is responsible for the sourcing requirements for Scotland. It covers indirect spend for the Scottish Operations and requires exceptional service to support stakeholders across the region. The role focuses on continuous improvement of packaging materials, specifications, and specific projects within the Scottish portfolio. The job holder will manage an annual spend of approximately 11 million GBP across about 50+ suppliers, ensuring compliance with local and global policies.

Role Responsibilities

• Develop and manage sourcing strategy for the allocated category, agreeing with International Sourcing leadership and stakeholders.
• Carry out sourcing arrangements with existing and new vendors to deliver goods and services cost‑efficiently.
• Negotiate and implement robust agreements, ensuring contractual terms are documented and risk minimized.
• Process purchase orders in ERPs (SAP, Navision, Ariba).
• Support International Sourcing projects and consolidate purchases across SGS and Suntory.
• Maintain a register of all contracts and suppliers with spend, dates, and details.
• Work with operations staff on the annual capital expenditure plan and sourcing for projects.
• Ensure compliance with SGS CSR, compliance, and contract signature policies.
• Analyze cost structures, market trends, and input costs for goods and services.
• Identify new initiatives and continual improvements with suppliers, collaborating with the head of NPD.
• Lead Quarterly Business Review meetings with providers and follow up on action plans.
• Assist finance with invoice processing and optimize the P2P cycle, including GRNI management.
• Provide spend and supplier reports from SAP and/or Ariba.
• Maintain accurate records of all sourcing requirements.
• Liaise with GPPM, suppliers and stakeholders on packaging change projects.
• Provide status updates of all projects to internal stakeholders.
• Seek development of new materials, technical expertise, value engineering, and cost reduction opportunities.
• Submit monthly reports detailing activity, advances, enablers and blockers affecting the category.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in FMCG procurement and packaging roles.
• Working knowledge of legal terms, conditions, and agreement construction.
• Focus on development and proven team player.
• Fundamental knowledge of Supply Chain and sourcing impact.
• Commercial negotiation skills with analytical approach.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence at medium and senior levels.
• Enthusiastic, proactive with a can‑do attitude.
• Capable of planning and organising a diverse workload.
• Proven project management skills.
• Committed to continual improvement in processes and performance.
• Technical knowledge of glass/closures/corrugated/labels manufacturing.
• SAP ERP and Ariba experience preferred.

Key Relationships

• Various levels of the business in Scotland—production staff to Senior Management; key contacts include NPD, Bottling Operations, Quality, Customer Service & Planning, Finance, and Marketing in Glasgow and other International BU locations.
• International sourcing and NPD colleagues.
• Other functions worldwide such as Legal, GPPM, SGS Technical Centre in Kentucky.
• Providers and copackers at all company levels, ranging from MDs to sales directors and account managers in the UK and internationally.
• Design agencies, packaging waste bodies, technical and advisory/regulatory bodies.
• Scotch Whisky Association on legal and design issues.

Experience & Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in procurement departments within FMCG.
• CIPS qualification or similar, minimum five years working as part of a small procurement team in a fast‑moving business.
• Preferred knowledge of bottling hall facilities.
• Good understanding of packaging supplier manufacturing processes.