At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement processes, negotiate contracts, and build supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Waterstones, a beloved bookshop dedicated to providing exceptional customer experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working with 3 days in the office and 2 days at home, plus great employee discounts.
- Other info: This is a new role offering opportunities for growth and innovation in procurement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic team while indulging your passion for books.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or supply chain management, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Based in Solihull or London (3 days in office / 2 days at home)
We are looking for a Procurement Manager to join our friendly and dynamic team here at Waterstones in either our Piccadilly, London or Solihull office. This is a new role where you will be responsible for ensuring Waterstones acquires necessary goods and services efficiently, cost‑effectively, and with high quality, while managing supplier relationships and mitigating risks.
This is a diverse role where you will be able to strategise and negotiate with suppliers and vendors, and ensure purchases of products, equipment, and services across the company align with the company’s strategic objectives.
This role will also require you to embed a strong, compliant and effective procurement to pay process embedded across the company and roll out a PO process.
What you will be doing
- Conduct research to source the best products and suppliers in terms of best value, delivery schedules, and quality
- Run tenders, evaluate bids, and make recommendations based on commercial and technical factors
- Negotiate and agree contracts, monitoring the quality of service provided
- Develop and maintain excellent relationships with teams who procure services or goods across the business. Help them understand how you can help them in their role and the importance of good procurement governance
- Build and maintain good relationships with new and existing suppliers
- Liaise between suppliers, manufacturers and relevant internal teams
- Forecast levels of demand for services and products
- Develop and implement a procurement to pay strategy ensuring strong compliance.
- Work with other relevant stakeholders to roll out a PO process across the company
- Develop strategies to ensure cost savings and supplier performance targets are met or exceeded
- Ensure the security and sustainability of sources of essential products and services
- Forecast price trends and their impact on future activities
- Analyse data and produce reports and statistics on spending and saving
- Undertake value for money reviews of existing contracts and arrangements
- Ensure suppliers are aware of business objectives
- Keep up to date with trends and innovations, regulation, and new technology that can impact the business
What we need from you
- Experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain management, ideally within retail or e‑commerce background.
- Proven track record of managing procurement activities, including strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, and supplier relationship management.
- Experience with or comfortable working in a stand‑alone procurement role.
- Experience in running tenders, evaluating bids, and making recommendations.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and cost‑effective delivery.
- Experience in monitoring and managing the quality of service provided by suppliers.
- Experience in developing and implementing procurement compliance.
- Ability to forecast levels of demand for services and products.
- Experience in undertaking value for money reviews of existing contracts.
- Ability to analyse data and produce reports and statistics on spending and saving.
- Experience and proven ability in developing strong internal relationships.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Knowledge of procurement regulations and compliance requirements.
Person Profile
- Excellent attention to detail in contract management, supplier evaluations, and analysis
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with suppliers, internal teams, and stakeholders.
- Strong analytical skills to assess market trends, supplier performance, and procurement data.
- Confident in making decisions and leading on all procurement activities, working as a stand‑alone procurement expert to the business.
- Highly organised.
- Approachable and ability to build excellent relationships both internally and externally.
Waterstones is committed to encouraging equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and is dedicated toward eliminating unlawful discrimination.
Reasonable Adjustments: We understand that some disabled applicants may, due to the nature of their disability, find some parts of the recruitment process challenging. If you need any reasonable adjustments during any part of the interview process, please make these known either to your interviewer or the person you liaise with when setting up your interview.
#J-18808-LjbffrProcurement Manager in London employer: Waterstones
Waterstones is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters growth and innovation in the heart of London. With a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, employees are encouraged to thrive while contributing to a beloved brand that has been a cornerstone of bookselling since 1982. The company provides ample opportunities for professional development, a supportive culture, and the chance to be part of a team that values creativity and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in procurement and supply chain management, especially within the retail sector. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in a rapidly evolving field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field, particularly those who have experience in retail. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others and gain insights that could give you an edge in your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and negotiated contracts in the past. Being able to articulate your experiences clearly will showcase your expertise and confidence in handling procurement activities.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Waterstones' current suppliers and any recent changes in their procurement strategies. Understanding their business model and challenges will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how you can contribute to their goals effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain management. Focus on your achievements in strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, and supplier relationship management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and how your skills align with Waterstones' needs. Mention specific examples of your experience in running tenders, evaluating bids, and managing supplier relationships.
Highlight Analytical Skills:Emphasise your analytical skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've assessed market trends, monitored supplier performance, and produced reports on spending and savings in previous roles.
Showcase Communication Skills:Since excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for this role, include examples of how you've effectively interacted with suppliers and internal teams. This will demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waterstones
✨Research the Company
Before your interview, take some time to learn about Waterstones, its values, and its procurement processes. Understanding their mission and how procurement fits into their overall strategy will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about specific scenarios related to procurement challenges. Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully negotiated contracts, managed supplier relationships, or implemented cost-saving strategies. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Procurement Manager, strong analytical skills are crucial. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform your procurement decisions, forecast demand, or evaluate supplier performance. Bring examples of reports or analyses you've conducted that led to significant outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Abilities
Building and maintaining relationships is key in procurement. Be prepared to talk about how you've fostered strong connections with suppliers and internal teams. Highlight your communication skills and any strategies you've used to ensure collaboration and compliance across departments.
