At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and negotiate contracts to secure essential goods and services.
- Company: Join Virgin Atlantic, a dynamic company with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values your unique background and perspective.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving procurement strategies that support long-term business success.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a collaborative mindset are essential.
The predicted salary is between 58185 - 71115 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid - 3 days at VHQ, Crawley
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week. Monday to Friday
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Competitive
Closing Date: 31st August 2026
We review applications on a rolling basis and may close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Procurement plays a vital role in helping Virgin Atlantic make smart commercial decisions that deliver value, reduce risk and support the long-term success of our business. As Procurement Manager, you'll lead strategic sourcing activities across your category, working closely with stakeholders to secure the goods and services our business needs while delivering the best possible commercial outcomes.
You’ll build trusted relationships across the business, shape category strategies, negotiate complex commercial agreements and help embed best practice procurement. Working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, you’ll balance commercial thinking with strong governance, ensuring contracts, suppliers and purchasing decisions support both our immediate priorities and our long-term strategy.
Day to day:
- Partnering with stakeholders across the business to understand requirements, develop category strategies and deliver commercially robust sourcing solutions
- Leading end-to-end procurement activity, including tenders, supplier evaluations, commercial negotiations and contract award, ensuring the best value and appropriate risk management
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts, working independently to produce high-quality agreements while partnering with Legal on more complex matters where required
- Managing supplier relationships, monitoring performance and identifying opportunities to improve service, reduce costs and deliver greater long-term value
- Using market intelligence, spend analysis and procurement technology to inform decision-making, drive continuous improvement and optimise purchasing activity
- Championing responsible procurement, governance and sustainability, ensuring compliance with Virgin Atlantic purchasing standards and supporting the wider business to build procurement capability
About you:
A commercially minded procurement professional, you'll enjoy building relationships, negotiating complex agreements and influencing stakeholders to deliver the best outcomes for the business. You'll combine strong commercial judgement with a collaborative approach and the confidence to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Proven experience delivering strategic procurement or sourcing activities, with the ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements and build strong supplier partnerships
- Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills, with the confidence to independently develop, review and manage commercial contracts while balancing commercial opportunity and risk
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, able to build credibility across Finance, Legal, Technology and operational teams while constructively challenging where appropriate
- Strong analytical and organisational skills, comfortable interpreting spend and market data, managing multiple priorities and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement
- Degree educated (or equivalent experience) and CIPS qualified (desirable), or working towards a professional procurement qualification
- Experience within Engineering, aerospace or another technical procurement environment would be highly desirable, but isn't essential.
If you're looking for a role where you can combine commercial expertise, strategic thinking and collaborative leadership to make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Be yourself – Our differences make us stronger. Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive.
To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you’d like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team, (recruitment@fly.virgin.com) feeling confident that we’ve got your individual considerations covered.
Procurement Manager in Crawley employer: Virgin holidays
Virgin Atlantic is an exceptional employer for pilots, offering a dynamic work culture at the iconic London Heathrow. With a commitment to employee growth through industry-leading training and a competitive salary, we foster a supportive environment where your passion for flying can truly thrive. Join us in our mission to be the most loved travel company and experience the unique advantages of working with one of the most advanced fleets in the skies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager in Crawley
✨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 Virgin holidays.
✨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 Manager in Crawley
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 Virgin holidays:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Virgin holidays. 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 Virgin holidays.
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin holidays
✨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 Virgin holidays!
✨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 Virgin holidays. 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 Virgin holidays's culture.
