Group Procurement Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Group Procurement Manager to join a respected organisation based in Preston, where your expertise will shape the future of procurement across multiple business divisions. This role is perfect for someone who thrives on building strong supply chain partnerships and driving value through strategic action.

The organisation offers a supportive environment that values trust, integrity, and professional development, making it an ideal place for you to further your career while enjoying flexible working opportunities and a culture that encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration.

• Play a pivotal role in shaping and implementing a group-wide procurement strategy that delivers real value and efficiency improvements across all business units.
• Enjoy a collaborative and inclusive work environment where your input is valued, your professional growth is supported, and your achievements are recognised.
• Benefit from flexible working opportunities and ongoing training designed to help you develop both personally and professionally within a forward-thinking organisation.

What you'll do:

As Group Procurement Manager, you will play an instrumental role in transforming how procurement operates across the entire organisation. Your day-to-day activities will involve developing strategies that consolidate buying power while fostering strong supplier partnerships. You will guide your team towards achieving ambitious targets by providing mentorship and support in an inclusive manner. By collaborating with internal stakeholders at all levels, you will ensure that procurement remains aligned with broader business objectives. Your ability to analyse data, prepare insightful reports, and present recommendations will be crucial in driving informed decisions. Success in this position means not only delivering tangible cost savings but also elevating the profile of procurement as an essential contributor to organisational excellence.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive procurement and supply chain strategy that aligns with organisational goals and drives continuous improvement across all divisions.
• Create, manage, and deliver a strategic action plan for group procurement, identifying short, medium, and long-term opportunities for cost savings and process efficiencies.
• Oversee external supplier expenditure including direct goods, materials, plant, equipment, and site services to ensure optimal value is achieved.
• Lead, mentor, and support a lean procurement team by setting clear objectives, providing guidance, and fostering an environment of shared success.
• Build and nurture strategic relationships with key suppliers to create a unified approach within the supply chain and enhance overall performance.
• Manage supplier engagement processes including evaluation, appointment, contract negotiation, agreement management, and ongoing performance reviews using robust metrics.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders such as divisional managers to share best practices, provide feedback on preferred suppliers, and add intelligence to purchasing decisions.
• Ensure compliance with group procurement policies and procedures while maintaining high standards of ethical behaviour in all activities.
• Prepare detailed reports and present findings at meetings to inform executive decision-making and promote transparency within the procurement function.
• Champion the professionalisation of procurement as a valued group function by promoting its benefits throughout the organisation.

What you bring:

To excel as Group Procurement Manager you will bring extensive experience from senior roles where you have successfully managed complex supply chains within relevant industries. Your background should include designing impactful strategies that drive both operational efficiency and cost effectiveness. You are adept at negotiating contracts that benefit all parties involved while nurturing long-term supplier partnerships built on mutual respect. Your technical skills enable you to leverage digital tools for insightful analysis; meanwhile your communication style ensures clarity whether preparing written reports or presenting ideas verbally. Above all else you are known for your integrity acting as a role model who inspires confidence among colleagues through consistent ethical conduct. Your collaborative approach fosters teamwork across departments while supporting individual growth within your own team.

• Hold MCIPS or equivalent qualification demonstrating advanced knowledge of procurement best practices within complex organisations.
• Bring significant experience in senior procurement roles within sectors such as construction, utilities, civil engineering, house building or facilities management.
• Demonstrate proven ability in developing effective strategies that deliver measurable improvements in value and efficiency across diverse supply chains.
• Exhibit excellent commercial negotiation skills with a track record of securing beneficial agreements while maintaining positive supplier relationships.
• Showcase strong IT proficiency including advanced use of Microsoft applications for reporting, analysis, and communication purposes.
• Possess outstanding report writing abilities coupled with confident presentation skills suitable for executive audiences.
• Display exceptional interpersonal skills enabling you to build trust-based relationships internally with colleagues at all levels as well as externally with suppliers.
• Model ethical behaviour consistently by upholding values such as trustworthiness, reliability, respectfulness, and personal credibility in every interaction.
• Approach challenges with attention to detail while remaining approachable and supportive towards team members seeking guidance or feedback.
• Demonstrate self-motivation by taking responsibility for personal development whilst encouraging others to pursue learning opportunities.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued for their unique contributions. With core values rooted in trust, integrity, quality, talent development, respectfulness, and reliability—employees enjoy an environment that prioritises both professional achievement and personal wellbeing. Flexible working arrangements allow you to balance career ambitions with life outside work while ongoing training ensures continual skill enhancement. The company’s supportive leadership style encourages open communication so everyone can share ideas freely; this spirit of collaboration extends beyond internal teams into lasting partnerships with clients and suppliers alike. If you are looking for somewhere your expertise will make a genuine impact—and where your growth is championed every step of the way—this is the place for you.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates