Why join us Joining Sainsbury's as a Procurement Manager means becoming part of a passionate and determined team that is focused on delivering great results for the business. You will have the opportunity to take end-to-end ownership of the commercial and sourcing strategy for your designated category, creating clear and compelling category plans that provide value for money to Sainsbury's. As a strategic sourcing expert, you will enhance our competitive advantage, minimise risk, and help deliver outstanding solutions for our customers and colleagues. With our commitment to curiosity, innovation, and continuous improvement, you will be encouraged to challenge the status quo and influence business strategy at all levels. Join our team and be part of an organisation that values integrity, fosters strong stakeholder relationships, and offers the opportunity for personal and professional growth in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. What you'll do You will be responsible for taking end-to-end ownership of the commercial and sourcing strategy for your assigned category or subcategories. This will involve creating clear and compelling category plans that provide a fit-for-purpose supply chain, balancing cost, quality, and risk considerations. Using your strong commercial acumen, you will independently execute these category plans, employing a strategic sourcing methodology that enhances Sainsbury's competitive advantage and delivers outstanding solutions for customers and colleagues. You will lead cross-functional teams to implement business change and confidently engage in difficult conversations and negotiations with key suppliers and senior stakeholders. As a critical business partner, you will challenge and support stakeholders as needed, while effectively managing supplier risk and performance. Building productive relationships with key suppliers, you will identify opportunities and ideas, and lead contracting and strategic partner management within your category. Additionally, you will contribute to the overall success of the department, act as a positive role model for the team, and ensure category plans adhere to procurement and supplier management policies. Who you are You’re are a highly experienced and strategic procurement professional with a strong track record in creating and executing end-to-end category plans. With your deep understanding of external supply markets and emerging trends, you bring valuable insight and solutions to drive business success. Your ability to lead cross-functional teams, engage in difficult conversations and negotiations, and build productive relationships with key suppliers and stakeholders sets you apart. Your strong commercial acumen, critical thinking skills, and resilience enable you to balance the needs of the business, customers, and colleagues while effectively managing risks and optimising outcomes. As a trusted source of insight and solutions, you play a critical role in shaping the commercial and sourcing strategy, delivering value for money, and ensuring outstanding solutions for Sainsbury's and its customers. Essentials An experienced Procurement professional, or comparable relevant commercial experience, who has experience of creating and executing compelling end to end category plans Effective and up to date understanding of the external supply markets, with knowledge and awareness of emerging trends, opportunities, and risks within your category field Experience of negotiating with third parties, with an understanding of contract law Experience of project management Strong verbal and written communication skills with experience of presenting Stakeholder management experience, demonstrating the ability to influence, constructively challenge and confidently engage up to and including Senior Manager level, explaining complex ideas in a simple way Desirable Experience of 3rd party relationship management Curiosity and inquisitiveness Critical thinking and analytical skills Tactically and operationally strong with a sharp commercial acumen Resilient and adaptable, supporting others to adapt during times of change within a dynamic and fast paced environment.