Procurement Manager

Role Overview

The Procurement Manager will lead a small team and be directly responsible for strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and end-to-end procurement operations for a national fuel distribution business. This role is accountable for ensuring the secure, cost-effective, and sustainable supply of fuel and associated services across the UK, while maintaining full regulatory compliance and supporting the organisation's operational and growth ambitions.

A key focus in the initial phase will be establishing robust procurement processes, governance frameworks, and best-practice standards, and shaping a high-performing procurement function. The role also includes leadership of Indirect Procurement across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Procurement Leadership

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine the company's procurement strategy in line with business objectives and market conditions.
• Lead high-value contract negotiations with fuel suppliers, logistics partners, and service providers to secure optimal commercial terms and long-term value.
• Monitor global and domestic fuel markets to identify supply risks, cost-saving opportunities, and emerging trends.
• Identify optimal fuel inventory levels, supplier credit limits and support cross functional business processes to maintain these in accordance with company requirements.

Supplier & Contract Management

• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key suppliers to drive performance, innovation, and compliance.
• Oversee the full contract lifecycle, including tendering, renewals, SLAs, performance reviews, and risk management.
• Enhance procurement efficiency by introducing tools, processes, and frameworks such as approved supplier lists, category-based vendor management, agreed rate cards, and structured price lists.

Operational Excellence

• Develop, own, and implement procurement policies, processes, and guidelines across the business.
• Work closely with commercial, logistics, finance, and operational teams to ensure timely and effective fuel delivery across the network.
• Introduce procurement best practices, digital procurement tools, and KPI frameworks to improve efficiency, transparency, and reporting.
• Lead Indirect Procurement activities and deliver value across all non-fuel categories.
• Support the company demand planning process

Risk & Compliance

• Ensure all procurement activities operate in accordance with UK legislation, environmental standards, and internal governance frameworks (including investor and stakeholder reporting obligations).
• Develop and maintain robust contingency plans for supply disruptions, market volatility, and other operational risks.
• Promote and uphold internal and external procurement guidelines across the business.

Team Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop a capable Procurement team, fostering a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous improvement.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and clear development pathways for team members.

Key Requirements

• You should be able to demonstrate a minimum of 7 years' experience leading a team of procurement and supply chain professionals in a relevant business segment.
• Demonstrable experience establishing and embedding procurement best practice within a multi-site organisation.
• Senior procurement experience within the fuel, energy, or logistics sector
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills, with a record of delivering measurable cost savings and value creation.
• In-depth understanding of UK fuel markets, supply chain dynamics, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Understanding and experience of fuel or liquids supply chain
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and influencing capabilities.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to present effectively at board level.
• Degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related discipline; CIPS qualification preferred
• Fluency in basic Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Desirable Attributes

• Experience supporting sustainability initiatives in procurement (e.g., biofuels, carbon reduction, carbon offset programmes).
• Familiarity with ERP systems and procurement analytics tools.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly regulated, and operationally complex environment.

In return we offer

• Private health insurance after 1 years' employment
• Death in service benefit after 1 year's employment
• 25 days holiday + 8 Bank holidays
• A net contributions pension scheme (Employer 4% / Employee 5%)
• Recommend a friend policy (£250)
• Departmental incentives