VodafoneThree - Procurement Lead

This job is with VodafoneThree, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

Location: Newbury + Hybrid

Salary: Excellent basic salary plus bonus and Vodafone benefits

Working Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week - Monday to Friday Hybrid

We believe that through collaboration and connection with our colleagues we can achieve great things. Our hybrid working approach allows our people to work both in the office and at home, providing the flexibility and resources you need to succeed in your role. We don't require you to be in on specific days; instead, we ask people to come into the office 2-3 days each week, for at least 8 days per month. You should work with your line manager to understand what their expectations are for you, your specific role and your team.

We're here to build a network the UK can count on - one that connects people, places and potential. Because no matter where you live, what your background is, or how you get online - we think everyone deserves the same chance to stay connected, and with VodafoneThree, that future's being built - today. We're creating more than the UK's best network. We're helping close the digital divide, empower communities and drive meaningful progress. We believe that everyone should feel they belong. Whoever you are and whatever your story, there's space for you here. We're building a workplace where different perspectives are welcomed, voices are heard, and everyone feels safe to show up as themselves. You'll join a team that genuinely cares - about each other, about our customers, and about the future we're building. From day one, you'll be welcomed, valued and encouraged to bring your whole self to work.

Join us and you'll be at the heart of change. That means building responsibly, investing sustainably and creating opportunities that last. We're not just expanding connectivity; we're reimagining what a connected nation looks like. With £11bn invested in 5G and digital infrastructure, your work will directly power businesses, services, and communities across the country. You'll work on real challenges, with real impact, across every corner of the country. Wherever you join us, whatever your role, you'll be helping to build a future that works better for everyone. We move at pace, because what we're building matters - and we're learning as we go. We're proud of the progress we've made, but we're just getting started. Join us at the heart of our business in Corporate, one of the central support functions that underpin our business and keep us moving forward. We provide centralised support, expertise and guidance across our UK and Group operations, continuing to build on our success and trailblazing the way to our next stage of digital growth.

This role leads strategic procurement across Energy and Media categories, driving value, innovation, and commercial performance across supplier partnerships. It is responsible for developing sourcing strategies, managing complex contracts, and ensuring marketing investments and energy spend deliver strong commercial outcomes. Acting as a key partner to senior stakeholders, the role provides insight, challenge, and governance to support strategic decision-making and optimise supplier performance across the organisation.

What you'll do

• Develop and execute forward-looking sourcing strategies across Energy and Media categories, aligning procurement activity with business demand, market trends, and organisational priorities.
• Lead complex, high-value sourcing initiatives across media, marketing, and energy spend, ensuring optimal commercial outcomes and value delivery.
• Own and evolve category strategies, identifying opportunities to maximise return on investment, drive efficiency, and enhance supplier performance.
• Manage and lead commercial and contractual negotiations with key suppliers and agencies, ensuring favourable terms while protecting commercial, operational, and reputational interests.
• Provide strategic oversight of energy procurement, including supplier strategy, cost management, and long-term contract positioning.
• Use data, benchmarking, and market intelligence to inform sourcing decisions, challenge assumptions, and drive innovation in supplier delivery and commercial models.
• Partner closely with Marketing, Finance, Legal, and Procurement teams to ensure alignment on priorities, governance, and business objectives.
• Represent procurement in senior stakeholder forums, providing insight, challenge, and thought leadership to support decision-making.
• Establish and maintain strong governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with procurement policies, regulatory requirements, and sustainability standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in supplier performance, agency effectiveness, and overall value delivered across procurement activities.
• Collaborate with global and cross-market teams to leverage scale, share best practice, and optimise supplier frameworks.
• Support smooth supplier transitions, manage performance issues, and ensure delivery against service and commercial expectations.

Who you are

• An experienced procurement professional with strong expertise across energy, media, marketing, or related strategic sourcing categories.
• Highly commercial, with a proven ability to negotiate complex contracts and deliver value in high-spend, high-impact environments.
• Strong understanding of marketing and media investment drivers, agency models, and energy procurement dynamics.
• Skilled at influencing senior stakeholders, including marketing, finance, and executive leadership teams.
• Strategic thinker, able to translate market trends and business objectives into clear sourcing and category plans.
• Confident working in complex, matrix organisations with multiple stakeholder groups and competing priorities.
• Strong analytical mindset, using data and insight to challenge, inform, and improve decision-making.
• Experienced in supplier relationship management, driving performance, accountability, and innovation.
• Knowledgeable in procurement governance, regulatory requirements, and responsible sourcing practices.
• A collaborative partner, able to build trust and alignment across internal teams and external suppliers.
• Proactive and solutions-focused, with the ability to challenge constructively and drive continuous improvement.
• Resilient and adaptable, comfortable operating in dynamic environments and managing ambiguity.

Worried that you don't meet all the desired criteria exactly? We know that everyone is unique, with multiple aspects to their identity and different experiences behind them. We are passionate about Inclusion for All and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in. We believe that everyone has valuable contributions to make. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply for positions within our team. Through the 'Offer an Interview' scheme, we aim to offer interviews to a fair and proportionate number of applicants with disabilities who best meet the essential criteria for our vacancies. If you would like to participate in the scheme, you will have the opportunity to indicate this on your application.

What we offer

• We care about our people's success by offering great pay, bonuses, up to 28 days off plus bank holidays, and paid time for charity work.
• You can personalise our benefits for you and your family, like discounts, vouchers, a pension plan and loads more.
• We help with your career through our amazing learning tools and top-notch parental leave policies.

Need to Know

We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and all offers of employment for this role are subject to background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks to meet the regulators standards. If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, or assistive technology, please refer to the Accessibility section of our Careers website for guidance.

We use AI in different parts of our business to boost innovation, improve efficiency, and create new opportunities. We know many candidates use AI to fine-tune their CVs or prepare for interviews, but what we really care about is your unique experiences and achievements. During the interview, we want you to rely on your own knowledge and skills to show us who you really are - your personality, creativity, and abilities. Above all, we're looking for authenticity and can't wait to get to know the real you.