At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative sourcing projects and drive cost-saving initiatives across the enterprise.
- Company: Join WPP, a global leader in marketing and business transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, bonuses, training, and discounts with top retailers.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values heart, brains, and courage.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising supply chains and driving sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and strategic procurement is essential.
WPP Enterprise Solutions designs, builds, and operates the growth systems that competitive businesses rely on. In a world where AI is reshaping how companies drive growth, we lead clients in business transformation and marketing modernization, connecting strategy directly to execution. Our 12,000 experts in engineering and platforms, commerce, consulting, content transformation, CRM, and CX work within a unified global operating unit across 40+ markets. WPP Enterprise Solutions works alongside best-in-class partners including Adobe, AWS, Braze, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Shopify, as well as innovators in AI, to deliver growth solutions tailored to the needs of our clients’ businesses.
Procurement Program Manager needed to join our team on a contract basis.
The opportunity: As Procurement Program Manager you will direct enterprise-wide sourcing transformations, cost-reduction initiatives, and supplier capabilities. You will bridge strategic sourcing and project execution, manage cross-functional teams, track program metrics, and mitigate supply chain risks.
What you’ll be doing:
- Program Execution: Lead large-scale productivity, technology, and supply chain transformation programs from ideation through implementation.
- Performance & Governance: Establish project scorecards, define metrics, and report tangible savings and efficiency outcomes to senior leadership.
- Stakeholder Management: Align cross-functional groups including Finance, Operations, Legal, and regional procurement teams with overarching strategic goals.
- Risk & Sustainability Management: Identify procurement-related risks, implement contingency plans, and embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into the supply chain.
- Process Optimization: Identify continuous improvement opportunities, deploy modern procurement platforms, and establish standard operating procedures.
What we want from you:
- Experience in large scale, corporate WAN rollout and retail store estate LAN rollout.
- Extensive combined experience in project/program management, supply chain operations, or strategic procurement.
- High proficiency in data manipulation, spend analytics, and capability reporting using software like SAP or other modern enterprise platforms.
- Deep understanding of contract management, supplier negotiation, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) models.
- Proven ability to drive results in matrixed organizations, manage external consulting partners, and drive change management.
If you know some of this, even better:
- A Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; professional certifications such as CIPS are highly valued.
What we can offer you: Alongside the opportunity to work with some of the most exciting brands around the world, we’ll also prioritise your career development and help you grow your skills. We’ll empower you to make a difference, allow you to be yourself, and respect who you are.
Permanent only: We offer a great benefits package including a discretionary bonus scheme, training opportunities, competitive pension, medical insurance, life assurance, social events, opportunities to buy and sell holidays, family friendly policies, discounts with hundreds of retailers and much more.
Our culture thrives on our core values, designed for impact-driven individuals: Heart, Brains and Courage. We lead with Heart, fostering empathy and trust where genuine connections and human-centric work flourish. We empower your Brains for innovation, valuing relentless curiosity and collaborative intelligence to solve complex challenges. And we champion Courage, inspiring you to speak up, embrace experimentation, and advocate for bold solutions that push our thinking to be better than yesterday.
How we use AI in the recruitment process: To ensure more focused and engaging conversations, we leverage AI in our recruitment process exclusively for secure, objective note-taking, never for evaluative judgments. This allows our team to be fully present with you. You are always welcome to request a transcript of these notes or opt out of this feature at any time. Opting out will not impact the outcome of the interview process.
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence and world-class partnerships – all united by our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.
WPP (VML/WPP Enterprise Solutions) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
Procurement Programme Manager employer: VML/WPPEnterprise Solutions
At VML/WPPEnterprise Solutions, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Personalisation Delivery Lead, you will benefit from extensive professional development opportunities and a supportive environment that values your contributions. Located in a vibrant area, our company offers a unique blend of flexibility and engagement, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
Contact Details:
VML/WPPEnterprise Solutions Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Programme Manager
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Programme Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show VML/WPPEnterprise Solutions that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, VML/WPPEnterprise Solutions can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows VML/WPPEnterprise Solutions that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let VML/WPPEnterprise Solutions know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at VML/WPPEnterprise Solutions
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
