Procurement Manager

Job Title: Procurement Manager
Location: West Sussex
Reporting To: Finance Director

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Procurement Manager to join a well-established food manufacturing business. This role will take ownership of the indirect procurement function, driving value, cost efficiency and supplier performance across a broad range of business-critical categories.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will lead procurement strategy, strengthen supplier relationships, ensure compliance with purchasing policies, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage indirect procurement across categories including packaging, utilities, transport, facilities, IT, equipment and business services.
• Analyse spend data to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve procurement efficiency.
• Build and manage strong supplier partnerships, negotiating contracts and monitoring supplier performance.
• Develop and maintain robust purchasing policies, ensuring compliance with internal procedures and governance.
• Lead commercial negotiations to secure competitive pricing and service agreements.
• Identify procurement risks and implement mitigation plans to ensure continuity of supply.
• Standardise and improve procurement processes across the wider business.
• Collaborate with Finance, Operations and other departments to align procurement with business objectives.
• Monitor market trends and supplier innovations to drive value and continuous improvement.
• Ensure procurement activities meet all relevant legal, regulatory and sustainability requirements.
• Support wider business compliance activities, including property and energy-related obligations where required.

About You

• Proven procurement experience within food manufacturing, FMCG, agriculture or a similar production environment.
• Strong commercial awareness with a track record of delivering cost savings and negotiating supplier agreements.
• Experience managing multiple indirect spend categories and improving procurement processes.
• Confident analysing spend data and using insights to influence business decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• CIPS qualification or working towards it would be advantageous.
• Degree qualified in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business or a related discipline is desirable.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and procurement system experience