Procurement Manager in Knaresborough

Thalia Waste Management is seeking an Engineering Procurement Manager to lead and oversee the procurement of high‑value engineering services and materials. This role is responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies that ensure cost efficiency, supplier performance, and regulatory compliance.

With responsibility for a multi‑million‑pound spend (£6.2m–£7.0m), this role will provide strategic direction, supplier governance, and financial oversight while collaborating with key stakeholders to drive procurement efficiency, supplier consolidation, and long‑term value creation.

Hybrid role with frequent travel required across all 4 of our Waste Treatment Plants (North Yorkshire, Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire, Isle of Wight).

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead engineering procurement strategies, ensuring cost efficiency, risk mitigation, and contract compliance.
• Align engineering procurement objectives with Thalia’s corporate strategy and operational needs.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, cost savings, and long‑term procurement value.
• Oversee procurement across key engineering categories, including conveyors, refractories, electrical services, non‑destructive testing, boiler cleaning, fabrication, industrial cleaning, and hydraulics.
• Provide strategic direction to the Engineering Category Manager, ensuring effective supplier selection and contract execution.
• Build and maintain high‑value supplier relationships, ensuring service quality and commercial performance.
• Lead contract negotiations and supplier performance management, ensuring compliance with SLAs, KPIs, and risk mitigation plans.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with CDM regulations, NEC/JCT contracts, and industry best practices.
• Work with legal and compliance teams to manage contract governance and procurement risk.
• Oversee engineering procurement budgets, ensuring alignment with financial targets.
• Identify and drive cost‑saving initiatives across multiple engineering categories.
• Engage with site‑specific procurement managers and operational teams to align engineering procurement with site needs.
• Collaborate with the Head of Procurement and the Non‑Engineering Category Manager to ensure consistency in procurement approaches.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the Engineering Category Manager, supporting their professional development and performance.

What We Are Looking For:

• Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience). CIPS qualification (or working towards) preferred.
• Strong experience in high‑value, high‑risk procurement within engineering, construction, or industrial sectors.
• Proven track record in strategic procurement leadership, cost reduction, and supplier negotiation.
• Financial acumen with experience managing multi‑million‑pound procurement budgets.
• Advanced negotiation skills and experience securing long‑term, value‑driven supplier agreements.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong knowledge of CDM regulations and engineering standards.
• Proficiency in SAP, SourceDogg, or similar procurement systems.
• Understanding of supply chain risk management and compliance requirements.
• Detail‑oriented and analytical, ensuring procurement accuracy and efficiency.
• Strategic thinker and problem solver, identifying and delivering cost‑saving opportunities.
• Collaborative and stakeholder‑focused, building strong cross‑functional relationships.

At Thalia Waste Management, we are creating a future to be proud of. We think differently, questioning everything, enabling us to develop progressive waste into energy solutions and services. Being motivated, tackling problems together, inspiring others to take responsibility, making a difference, being ambitious and contributing value.

We operate the best technology available across our four strategic sites in North Yorkshire, Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Wight. Our technology includes everything from mechanical and biological treatment, traditional mass‑burn energy from waste and material recycling technologies to in‑vessel composting, advanced thermal treatment, innovative small‑scale energy from waste and anaerobic digestion. In a single year we process 300,000 tonnes of waste that is turned into energy. This generates the same amount of energy as approximately 600 million solar panels. Similarly we recycle circa 95,000 tonnes of waste.

Inclusion:

At Thalia Waste Management, we work hard to make sure we are an inclusive and diverse place to work. This means we don’t just look at your CV, we’re focused on who you are, your skills and passion that can be brought to Thalia Waste Management. We know and understand that everyone is different and has a life outside work, so we’re happy to discuss flexible working and any adjustments that could be needed! We’ll do all that we can to support everyone from their first contact with us. For any support or adjustments needed through our recruitment process, please speak to our recruitment team who will be happy to support. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. As a Disability Confident Employer, we will make sure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.