At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and contract management for non-trade spend categories.
- Company: Join Superdrug, a vibrant and inclusive retailer passionate about beauty and health.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, staff discounts, hybrid working, and a competitive salary.
- Other info: Be part of a global leader in health and beauty with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in procurement while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
This job is with Superdrug, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
Join Superdrug Head Office - Make a Real Difference Every Day!
Location: East Croydon
Hours: 37.5 | 9.00am - 5.30pm - Hybrid working available depending on role responsibilities with 2 days working from home and 3 days in our stylish, modern and collaborative office close to East Croydon Station.
Salary: Competitive
Why Superdrug?
Passionate about Beauty and Health? Want to be part of an innovative, trend-setting retailer? Our vibrant Head Office, based by East Croydon station, is a fantastic environment filled with hundreds of brilliant personalities. We're a team that puts our customers and our teams at the heart of everything we do. At Superdrug, we aim to be the best in accessible health & beauty, loved by our customers for value, choice, friendly advice, service and fun. Our success comes from our people - they make the difference. We're all about personality, we have fun, and we work hard to deliver That Superdrug Feeling.
Here's the exciting bit... A day includes:
- Lead strategic sourcing, tendering and contract management activity across non-trade spend categories.
- Partner with Directors, Heads of Department and contract owners to provide commercial guidance and challenge where appropriate.
- Work closely with Finance, Legal and Operational teams to deliver successful procurement projects and contracts.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with suppliers, external partners and internal stakeholders.
- Collaborate with Group Procurement colleagues across the wider AS Watson organisation.
- Deliver commercial value through effective sourcing, supplier negotiations and contract management.
- Ensure procurement activities are compliant, efficient and simple for stakeholders to navigate.
- Drive continuous improvement across procurement tools, processes and ways of working.
- Support delivery of annual procurement objectives and wider strategic initiatives.
- Manage tender and sourcing projects to secure the right suppliers and commercial arrangements.
- Prepare investment and approval submissions to support governance and decision-making processes.
- Maintain accurate contract information, savings tracking and procurement reporting.
- Develop and enhance procurement guidance, templates and tools for business stakeholders.
- Lead initiatives to improve procurement efficiency, effectiveness and stakeholder experience.
- Act as a trusted commercial advisor and role model within the procurement team.
- Support the delivery of strategic team objectives, including automation, AI adoption and process improvements.
- Coach and support colleagues by sharing knowledge, expertise and best practice.
- Influence stakeholders to drive positive commercial and operational outcomes.
- Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Champion high standards of governance, compliance and customer service.
Personal Attributes:
- Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Commercially minded with a passion for finding practical solutions that create value.
- Highly organised with excellent planning and attention to detail.
- Comfortable balancing commercial opportunities with risk management considerations.
- Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
- Ability to switch confidently between strategic thinking and hands-on delivery.
- Skilled at managing multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
- Passionate about continuous improvement and process optimisation.
- Curious and innovative, with an interest in emerging technologies and AI-driven solutions.
- Results-focused and motivated by delivering measurable outcomes.
- Collaborative and supportive, with a team-oriented mindset.
Customer Focus:
- Be the voice of customers and orchestrate the organisation to live the brand purpose and inspire a customer-first culture to build customer love in every touchpoint of our online and offline platform.
- Establish strong relationships at all levels.
- Can manage tough/complex messages with all stakeholders.
- Role model collaboration to the team to exceed goals.
- Positive attitude towards feedback, uses this to generate initiatives to meet/exceed expectations, and shares feedback in a meaningful way.
- Effectively manages their team by playing to strengths and proactively addressing its opportunities.
- Ensuring everyone’s wellbeing & diversity is considered and celebrated.
- Feels empowered to challenge across different career bands and roles.
- Proactively keeps up to date with market and consumer trends in their specialism and feeds this into department strategy.
- Uses data and insights to challenge the status quo to keep us ahead of the competition.
- Uses data to inform and generate new ideas and make decisions to improve on future plans.
Desired but not Essential:
- Degree qualified in Business, Finance, Social Sciences or a related discipline.
- Professional procurement qualification such as CIPS.
- Experience within a retail or large multi-site organisation.
- Experience using technology, automation or AI-enabled tools to improve business processes.
What You'll Need:
- Significant experience within procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier management or commercial contract management.
- Experience building strong relationships with a variety of business stakeholders.
- Proven experience delivering procurement projects, tenders or commercial initiatives from planning through to implementation.
- Understanding of commercial negotiation, supplier selection and contract management principles.
- Working knowledge of governance, compliance and business approval processes.
- Strong analytical skills with experience using data and reporting to support decision-making.
- Ability to balance commercial priorities with operational requirements and risk management.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Leadership experience that demonstrates the ability to influence others, drive change and support continuous improvement.
Here's what's in it for you:
- 33 days holiday rising to 38 days with length of service (inclusive of bank holidays).
- 2 staff discount codes for yourself and a family member or friend.
- 30% discount on Superdrug Own Brand Products both in store and online.
- Hybrid working patterns available depending on role responsibilities with 2 days working from home and 3 days in our stylish, modern and collaborative office close to East Croydon Station.
- Company pension matching and bonus.
- We offer Wagestream - a money management app that gives you access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it.
- Being part of more! We are part of a group who work closely with Savers, The Perfume Shop and Three UK.
- We are part of A.S. Watson Group, the world's largest international health and beauty retailer with over 15,700 stores in 25 markets!
- Unrivalled Learning and Development programmes.
- Enhanced maternity/shared parental/adoption leave, company sick pay and pregnancy loss support.
- Come and be part of something special!
Procurement Lead Buyer Maternity Cover in South Cave employer: Superdrug
At Superdrug, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where beauty enthusiasts can thrive. Our commitment to professional development through in-house training ensures that our Beauty Therapists stay at the forefront of industry trends, while our generous benefits package, including competitive pay and family-friendly policies, makes us a supportive workplace. Located in Bangor, our team enjoys not only a fulfilling career but also exclusive discounts and exciting employee events that foster camaraderie and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Lead Buyer Maternity Cover in South Cave
✨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 Superdrug.
✨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 Procurement Lead Buyer Maternity Cover in South Cave
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 Superdrug:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Superdrug. 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 Superdrug.
How to prepare for a job interview at Superdrug
✨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 Superdrug!
✨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 Superdrug. 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 Superdrug's culture.
