At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and optimise procurement processes for our Kitchens team.
- Company: Join Wickes, a leading home improvement retailer with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive bonuses, private medical insurance, and a flexible working environment.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with a focus on wellbeing and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while developing your career in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong communication skills, and ideally a degree in a relevant field.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an experienced Procurement Specialist to join our Kitchens team. You’ll be responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers as well as constantly looking for potential areas of continuous improvement and cost optimisation. The role will involve identifying, selecting, and managing suppliers to ensure they meet the organisation's needs in terms of quality, cost, delivery, and service. As Procurement Specialist, you’ll have the ability to work collaboratively across a wide array of internal and external stakeholders in order to deliver optimal results. There will be some travel in Europe and the UK within the role.
What you’ll be doing:
- Sourcing and Supplier Management: Identifying and evaluating potential suppliers based on quality, price, reliability, and capacity. Developing and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers. Monitoring supplier performance and addressing any issues or concerns and conducting supplier reviews.
- Contract Management: Negotiating and managing supplier contracts and agreements, ensuring contract compliance and adherence to terms and conditions. Monitoring contract renewals and renegotiations.
- Continuous Improvement and Cost Optimisation: Identifying opportunities for cost savings through strategic sourcing and negotiation. Collaborating with suppliers to implement process improvements. Driving innovation and collaboration with suppliers.
- Supplier Onboarding and Offboarding: Managing the supplier onboarding process, including due diligence and qualification. Overseeing the supplier offboarding process, ensuring a smooth transition.
- Procurement Process: Managing the entire procurement cycle, from requisition to delivery and payment. Full understanding of end to end logistics to ensure that all manufacturing and shipping efficiencies are optimised.
- Compliance and Risk Management: Identifying and assessing potential risks associated with suppliers and developing and implementing risk mitigation strategies and adhering to ethical sourcing practices. Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards. Identifying and mitigating potential risks associated with procurement activities.
- Collaboration and Communication: Working closely with internal stakeholders, commercial, supply chain, finance, operations, and legal teams as well as external suppliers.
What we’re looking for:
A Procurement Specialist with demonstrable experience in a similar role. You’ll ideally have experience within the kitchens sector or a very similar category. As well as the technical skills required to undertake the role you’ll have excellent communication, time management and organisational skills with strong understanding of financial principles and budgeting. Ideally the successful candidate will be educated to degree level with a relevant professional qualification.
What can we offer you?
You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us. We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes: Competitive bonus, Save-as-you-earn scheme, Private Medical and Life Assurance, Enhanced contributory pension scheme, Colleague discount, Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme.
Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. You’ll work from our Support Centre in Watford, where our Commercial team are based, along with our other support functions. We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture. We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.
About Us:
Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues. But it is the Wickes’ culture that is considered its best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home. We aim to create an inclusive workplace with colleagues’ wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. We’re a Disability Confident Employer and committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from disabled people and are committed to providing an accessible recruitment process and workplace for everyone. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments, please let us know.
Procurement Specialist in Watford employer: Wickes
Wickes is an excellent employer for those looking to thrive in the Kitchen and Bath Design sector, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises customer satisfaction and creativity. With competitive salaries, commission structures, and comprehensive training programmes, employees are empowered to grow their skills and advance their careers while enjoying a supportive team environment. Located in a dynamic retail setting, Wickes provides unique opportunities to engage with customers and make a meaningful impact on their home improvement journeys.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Specialist in Watford
✨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 Wickes.
✨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 Specialist in Watford
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 Wickes:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Wickes. 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 Wickes.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wickes
✨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 Wickes!
✨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 Wickes. 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 Wickes's culture.
