Procurement Manager

At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Procurement team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing to do their best work. Join a growing global business where your procurement expertise will shape supplier partnerships, unlock commercial value and support the delivery of standout customer experiences across WHSmith Group. This is a great opportunity for a commercially minded procurement professional who enjoys influencing stakeholders, leading tenders and working across creative, digital and customer-focused categories.
We have two exciting opportunities within our Group Procurement Indirect team: one focused on Marketing, Media and Customer Engagement, and one focused on IT. In both roles, you’ll provide category expertise across Goods Not For Resale (GNFR) and Services, partnering with stakeholders across WHSmith Group to deliver value, manage supplier relationships and support major sourcing activity. You’ll report into a Senior Procurement Manager and play a key role in shaping how we buy, negotiate and deliver for the business.
What you’ll be doing:

Own and deliver procurement activity across either Marketing, Media, Creative, Print, POS, Digital and Customer Engagement categories, or IT categories including managed services, professional services, telecoms, hardware, software, SaaS, IaaS and software licensing.
Build category plans that balance commercial value, supplier performance, risk management and stakeholder priorities across the UK, Europe and global markets.
Lead end-to-end sourcing activity, including RFIs, RFPs, tender evaluation, supplier selection, negotiation and contract award.
Partner with budget holders and senior stakeholders to understand business needs, shape specifications, agree KPIs and SLAs, and deliver effective procurement outcomes.
Support contract drafting, contractual negotiations, supplier relationship management, renewals and ongoing contract reviews.
Drive cost reduction, value creation, supplier rationalisation, risk mitigation and continuous improvement across annual category spend.
Contribute to global sourcing projects, which may occasionally involve travel to the US and flexibility for Teams meetings across different time zones.

What we’re looking for:

Procurement experience within either IT categories or Marketing, Media, Creative, Digital and Customer Experience services.
For the IT opportunity, experience across managed or outsourced services, professional services, fixed and mobile telecoms, hardware, software maintenance, SaaS, IaaS and software licensing would be highly valuable.
For the Marketing opportunity, experience across media, creative services, print, POS, digital, customer engagement or related indirect categories would be beneficial.
Strong commercial acumen, analytical ability and proven negotiation skills, with confidence supporting contract drafting and contractual negotiations.
A collaborative relationship builder who can influence stakeholders, challenge constructively and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Intermediate to advanced capability in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams; CIPS qualifications are welcome but not essential.

If you’re looking for a procurement role where you can make a visible impact, influence senior stakeholders and work across high-profile Marketing or IT categories, we’d love to hear from you.
How we reward our teams:

Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office
4pm Friday Finish
Flexible Working
25 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
Family Friendly Leave
Company Pension scheme
Sharesave Scheme
Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance
Competitive Salary and Car Allowance
Private Medical
Staff Discount Card for stores and online

About us:
Celebrating over 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 5,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

Our UK Travel office is based in a buzzing part of central London close to Liverpool Street Station. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture. It’s perfect for people who are happy to use their initiative and embrace life outside their comfort zone.

At WHSmith, we’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here.
We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!