Senior Procurement Manager (Logistics)

Overview

The Dunelm Procurement team is dedicated to the delivery of sustainable value from Dunelm’s Non-Stock relationships in support of the overall business strategy. They are a thriving and diverse team using their expert knowledge to innovate and protect, while offering agile and proportionate support.

The team are responsible for >£300m of non-stock spend, with the largest areas of spend being logistics, technology, marketing, store development and maintenance.

The team sits within the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) function and plays a critical role supporting the delivery of high-value projects and operations across the business. Likewise, it plays a critical role in the future growth aspirations of the business, so our influence spreads across both new spend initiatives and existing contract renewals.

The Procurement function has ambitious plans to continue their successful journey, whilst also evolving the function to take it to the next stage of its maturity.

What you'll be doing

About the role

The Senior Procurement Manager (Logistics) supports the Head of Non-Stock Procurement & Cost Grip in deploying the indirect procurement strategy across Dunelm’s business functions. You are accountable for a mix of strategic and tactical sourcing initiatives to maximize efficiency through protection (risk identification and contractual mitigation), savings, innovation, or performance, in a proportionate manner.

You are exceptionally driven and focused, providing inspirational leadership to your Business Functions through a blend of “purpose” (staying true to the team Purpose which may be refreshed from time to time), “mastery” (your capabilities and that of any direct reports), and autonomy (using “mastery” to increase efficiency in a safe way).

The role holder will also ensure compliance with all aspects of relevant Dunelm Policies, ensuring that Dunelm maintain their strong credentials on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Compliance & Social Responsibility (CSR), modern slavery and corporate tax evasion.

• Support Business Functions in the identification and delivery of business requirements within an optimised commercial framework and acceptable risk profile.
• Review all areas of spend in conjunction with business stakeholders in order to identify potential opportunities which add value to Dunelm in line with the longer-term business plan.
• Recommend and agree “macro” category plans that include a pipeline of future saving activities with Business Functions to deliver the required portfolio of renewal and investment (new procurement) activities required by the Business Function.
• For Medium and High tasks (identified using the Procurement Checklist) in the macro plan, create a “micro” plan, agreeing the proportionate process, indicative time scale, roles, inputs, outcomes etc. with Business Functions, providing regular updates to Business Functions as plans are achieved.
• Utilise market and commodity analysis in conjunction with the value chain approach to support sourcing decisions including recent economic, market trends, developments and other external factors.
• Challenge the ‘status quo’ where doing so is valuable, providing credible sourcing alternatives through value engineering or market intelligence.
• Drive value by planning and conducting effective commercial & contractual negotiations.
• Review, negotiate and draft contractual terms with suppliers alongside Dunelm’s internal Legal team to ensure that any potential risks are identified, minimised or highlighted to the relevant senior internal stakeholders.
• Support Business Functions in the submission of papers for consideration by the non-stock contract approval committee.
• Timely and accurate reporting of projects / opportunities, providing reporting against targets, both at individual and team level.
• Create and maintain effective business relationships with internal / external stakeholders at all levels.
• Support the development of other team members.

What we'll look for in you

What are we looking for

• Proven experience and historical results across the full Procurement lifecycle (Sourcing, Contracting and Supplier Management) including managing both low and high value strategic indirect spend, with a long-term value-based mindset.
• A good understanding of Retail and deep understanding of all aspects of the associated logistics operations.
• Knowledge and understanding of Dunelm and supplier authored contracts (both commercially and legally), with the ability to confidently negotiate, draft and arrive at fair and reasonable outcomes with minimum support from internal legal teams. Must also be able to coach other team members to do the same.
• Knowledge and appropriate application of the supplier positioning / preferencing matrices.
• Ability to manage and interpret complex data sets.
• Inquisitive nature, with a positive outlook on potential alternative sourcing options.
• Ability to appropriately influence the Business Functions and our suppliers at all levels, with good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Resilient in the face of adversity, ambiguity and adaptable where needed.
• ‘Hands on’ approach.
• Results driven and self-motivated.
• Resourceful, with the ability to draw on internal and external networks to get to a solution.
• Good understanding of business financials including cost levers and value chains.
• Sound business acumen, commercial awareness with the ability to identify key issues and risks before they arise.
• Excellent project management and organisation skills with the ability to manage conflicting priorities and the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Collaborative and confident in a high-pressure environment with a high level of personal and professional credibility.
• Competent IT skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Embrace and champion change initiatives.

Desirable Skills

• MCIPS/CIPS.
• Excellent general experience of indirect spend categories, ideally within a Retail environment.
• Experience of mature procurement practices and senior level 3rd party supplier networks.
• Experience of procurement technologies (e.g. S2C & P2P).

Behaviours

Team Working

• Helping the team to thrive by creating an open, safe and enjoyable environment.
• Recognising, praising and celebrating the team’s achievements.
• Promoting and supporting healthy team relationships, and creating the right team composition to optimize results.

Communicating

• Creating ‘always on’ interactive dialogue, helping colleagues to understand ‘the why’ and encouraging questions.
• Being open and transparent about what can and cannot be shared.
• Influencing and engaging others, by using compelling language and conveying passion in your endeavors.

Curiosity

• Always probing beyond the first answer and listening attentively to gain the full picture.
• Having a personal quest for knowledge, expanding understanding and possibilities.
• Making time in colleague conversations to show a genuine interest in what matters to other people.

Making It Happen

• Clarifying roles and priorities and creating delivery plans for the team, monitoring and revisiting as needed.
• Agreeing realistic but stretching timelines with the team and providing them space and support to deliver actions and objectives.
• Focused on outcomes and results, maintaining momentum and having contingencies ready for potential pitfalls.

Customer First

• Putting the customer and our purpose at the heart of communication and team objectives.
• Encouraging the team and other teams to adopt an ever more customer first approach.
• Being an active champion and participant in customer initiatives across the business.