Procurement Manager

Competitive salary Discretionary bonus scheme
Flexible benefits and working patterns.
30 days’ holiday with additional days linked to service

The Donaldson Group, established in 1860, is one of UK’s largest, privately owned timber companies. We are a family of 17 businesses and brands, ranging from B2B, retail and ecommerce, all with shared values and a common vision. We are focused on always providing a number one customer experience, embracing innovation, and doing things in a sustainable way, not just for our business but also for the communities we operate in. But most of all, our People are at the heart of everything we do, which is why we are committed to nurturing and empowering our 1,500+ colleagues across the UK.

The Role

The Procurement Manager is tasked with overseeing the sourcing and purchasing of goods and services necessary for the Group’s centralised procurement categories. This includes developing procurement strategies, negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring that all procurement activities deliver value for money, comply with legal requirements, and support the company’s operational and financial goals. Key areas include but are not limited to utilities, fleet, managed print, stationery and property.

Key Responsibilities:

• Procurement Strategy Development:
• Develop and implement procurement strategies that align with the company’s goals, ensuring that goods and services are procured at the best possible cost and quality.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for cost savings, including supplier consolidation, competitive bidding, and alternative sourcing.
• Supplier Relationship Management:
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, negotiating favourable terms, and ensuring reliability in quality and delivery.
• Evaluate suppliers on a regular basis, ensuring that they meet performance expectations in terms of quality, delivery times, and pricing.
• Manage supplier contracts, renewals, and negotiations, ensuring that terms and conditions are favourable, and risks are mitigated.
• Contract Management and Negotiation:
• Lead the negotiation of high-value and complex contracts, ensuring legal and financial risk is minimized while securing the best possible terms for the company.
• Draft and review contract terms and conditions, ensuring compliance with company policies and legal regulations.
• Manage ongoing contract performance and address any issues or disputes that arise during the contract period.
• Cost Control and Budgeting:
• Develop and manage procurement budgets, ensuring all purchasing activities are within approved financial limits.
• Track and report on cost savings, procurement spend, and supplier performance, ensuring that procurement contributes to the company’s financial objectives.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities through strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and efficient purchasing processes.
• Procurement Process Management:
• Oversee the procurement process from start to finish, including requisition approvals, sourcing, contract management, and purchase order management.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with internal controls, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Streamline procurement processes to increase efficiency, reduce lead times, and eliminate unnecessary steps.
• Risk Management and Compliance:
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements, including health and safety, environmental regulations, and procurement laws.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with procurement activities, such as supplier dependency, contract disputes, or quality issues.
• Develop and enforce procurement policies and procedures to ensure best practices are followed across the organization.
• Stakeholder Management:
• Collaborate with internal departments such as finance, operations, and production to understand procurement needs and align procurement activities with overall business objectives.
• Act as the main point of contact for other departments to ensure clear communication and the effective fulfilment of procurement requirements.
• Market Research and Supplier Benchmarking:
• Conduct market research to identify potential new suppliers, trends, and innovations that can improve the procurement function.
• Benchmark supplier pricing and service levels against competitors and industry standards to ensure competitiveness and value for money.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Certifications: Professional certification such as CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) or CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) is highly desirable.
• Demonstrable experience in procurement, supply chain management, or a related field.
• Experience in managing procurement projects and negotiating complex contracts.
• Proven track record of delivering cost savings and managing supplier performance.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Financial acumen with the ability to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills to assess supplier performance and market trends.

Key Competencies

• Negotiation: Ability to secure favourable terms with suppliers while managing risks and ensuring the best value for money.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong data analysis skills to assess procurement performance, market conditions, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Attention to Detail: Thorough in contract management, supplier evaluation, and procurement compliance.
• Decision-Making: Ability to make informed and timely decisions that positively impact procurement outcomes.
• Stakeholder Management: Skilful in managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

As a 6th generation family-owned business, Donaldson Group is committed to providing colleague benefits that are truly valuable. Our benefits package includes: 30 days’ holiday, inclusive of Statutory Bank Holidays, Length of service awards, Company sick pay, Employee Assistance Programme, (24/7 helpline, counselling sessions, legal, debt and life management advice line). We provide an additional catalogue of optional benefits including and not limited to, cycle to work schemes, holiday buy and sell and private medical insurance.

The full-time hours for this role are 36.75 hours per week over 5 days, Monday to Friday, however there is the opportunity for part-time hours with a variety of options which could be considered. Part-time hours could include shorter working days or fewer days each week. The role will be hybrid between working from home and the office.

If this sounds like the perfect job for you then do not hesitate to apply by sending your full C.V. to: Recruitment@donaldson-timber.co.uk by 25 October 2024.