Procurement Business Partner – Customer & Operations

First Central; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job description

We’re First Central Insurance & Technology Group (First Central for short), an innovative, market-leading insurance company. We protect the things customers love so they can get on with what matters to them in life.

Data drives us. It fuels our outstanding distribution, finance, technology and legal services. Our underwriting skills are built on data expertise; it creates the insights we need to give the right cover to the right customers at the right price. But, it’s the people inside and outside our business that power us. They make us stand out, help us succeed. We’re ambitious. We’re growing. We’ve won awards.

Looking for your next challenge? We’ve got an exciting opportunity for a Procurement Business Partner – Customer & Operations to join our team and make a real impact.

Are you a skilled Procurement professional with strong stakeholder management and category expertise?

We’re looking for a Procurement Business Partner to support our Customer and Operations teams, helping to drive procurement maturity and deliver real business value. While experience in insurance is welcome, it’s not essential—we’re more interested in your ability to build relationships, influence decision-making, and enhance procurement capability. If you have a strong track record in category management and business partnering across any industry, we’d love to hear from you.

Performing all things Procurement, from delivering expert advice, negotiating on cost savings, minimising risks and bringing to life best in class strategies, you’ll help build our procurement capability and power our success.

You will be part of a maturing procurement team and your experience to continue that development will be key.

Must-have skills to be successful in this role:

• Procurement Specialist – Extensive experience in leading procurement operations, particularly within regulated industries.
• Stakeholder Management – Expertise in effectively engaging and influencing key stakeholders across various business functions.
• Skilled Negotiator – Proficient in securing favourable deals and managing contracts with a focus on long-term value.
• Commercial Acumen – Continuously seeking opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and drive cost savings.
• Effective Communicator – Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, ensuring clear and impactful messaging.

We're big on working flexibly - you'll spend most of your time working from home, with 1 day per week in the office at either Salford Quays, Manchester or Haywards Heath, West Sussex (depending on which is closer to where you live!) - because collaborating with colleagues is always great, right? But of course, it’s your choice - if you prefer to be in the office more - that's good with us too.

What's involved:

• Develop, implement, and maintain Category Plans aligned to the strategic objectives of the C&O category, utilising market knowledge/insight to challenge the status quo and drive operational and commercial benefit.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of the C&O category space including the development of market intelligence/insights in line with Category Plans.
• Deliver cost savings that contribute to meeting agreed team targets, focussing on Group EBITDA improvements through the delivery of hard cash benefits, as well as tracking cost avoidance activity.
• Build great relationships with business stakeholders, acting as a trusted partner to provide an excellent procurement service and deliver on strategic plans.
• Use procurement knowledge, expertise and best practice to develop, maintain and execute the procurement plan in agreement with the business area(s) assigned.
• To provide quality advice and guidance to internal customers on all aspects of the procurement process, supported by expert technical knowledge including relevant legislation and best practice.
• Undertake effective regular reviews with stakeholders to monitor, review and update Category Plans.
• Take ownership of the review timetable of contractual agreements within the assigned business area(s), ensuring they continue to meet business requirements and objectives.
• Utilise deep understanding of industry, supplier dynamics and market trends to determine sources of leverage.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate commercial and operational risks and issues to support the delivery for a robust and effective procurement service.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers, stakeholders, and the wider business areas to understand needs and requirements and ensure the provision of effective advice and services.
• Structure and lead procurement activity to ensure value for money is constantly achieved with the most appropriate supplier partners.
• Provide regular reporting and updates on agreed procurement activity for the business area(s) assigned.
• Provide information to the Procurement, Outsourcing & Supply Management Director and/or Procurement Operations Manager to assist in the forecasting, re-forecasting, and on-going reporting on budgets as and when required.
• Provide procurement support to other business areas as required.

Experience, knowledge, skills & qualifications:

• Solid demonstrable experience in leading procurement activity in C&O categories within a complex and regulated environment.
• Experienced in developing and implementing procurement strategies, managing the end-to-end procurement process, including supplier assessment, ongoing due diligence, and contract formation.
• Proven ability to negotiate critical contracts, minimising business risk while maximising commercial benefits through scale and strong relationships.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with demonstrable experience in both stakeholder engagement and people management.
• Excellent knowledge of procurement strategy development and execution across a broad range of categories.
• Advanced negotiation, influencing, and decision-making skills.
• Strong analytical skills to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple deadlines, and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written, with strong time management and organisational abilities.
• Knowledge of motor insurance products and the motor insurance industry.
• Educated to degree level or holding an equivalent professional qualification, with MCIPS qualification desirable.

Behaviours:

• Commercially focused, results-driven, and takes ownership to ensure objectives are met.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills.
• Embodies and promotes the company values.
• Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy.
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and proactive.
• Organised with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Adaptable, with a flexible approach and a positive attitude.

Ready to take the next step in your career? If you're looking for a role where you can make a real impact, drive commercial success, and collaborate with great people, this is the opportunity for you. As a Procurement Business Partner, you'll be at the heart of shaping procurement strategies, securing the best deals, and influencing key stakeholders. If you're commercially minded, results-focused, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence!

What can we do for you?

People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so that’s what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic, inspirational, supportive. To get a taste of the advantages you’ll enjoy, take a look at all our perks in full here.

Intrigued? Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what we’re offering, so feel free to get in touch.