Location

Flexible (London, Coventry or MK)

In a nutshell

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Technology Procurement team, working across the Sainsburys group.  This Sourcing Manager role will to be part of an award winning Sainsbury’s procurement function, having been named CIPS procurement team of the year 2019 and more recently CIPS Outstanding People Development Programme and highly commended for the best procurement transformation in 2020. 

We are looking for a talented IT services procurement professional who has experience in developing category strategies to deliver transformational change at pace, in a multi-brand business. Within the technology procurement function we have a developing & dynamic team environment, that works closely with our stakeholders in delivery of best in class procurement outcomes, driving our ambitious three year cost transformation agenda.

Taking end to end ownership of the commercial and sourcing strategy for the IT services category, I will create clear and compelling category plans providing a fit for purposes supply chain and deliver value for money to Sainsbury’s. I will employ a strategic sourcing methodology that enhances Sainsbury’s competitive advantage, minimises risk and helps deliver outstanding solutions for our customers and colleagues.

You will be a source of insight and solutions; and become a confident subject matter expert who discovers new ideas that challenge and influence business strategy at all levels.

What you need to do

Demonstrate strong commercial acumen to create a clear and compelling category plans- balancing cost, quality and risk.

Independently and autonomously execute these category plans using a strategic sourcing methodology to deliver best commercial and operational outcomes including cost and working capital improvement.

Lead cross-functional teams to land business change in a considered but determined way

Confidently deal with difficult conversations and negotiations with key suppliers and senior stakeholders alike

Be a critical business partner to my  stakeholders, challenging and supporting as appropriate

Act as a point of escalation for the business in  managing  the risk and operational performance of suppliers as is necessary

Build productive and mutually beneficial relationships with your key suppliers to identify opportunities and ideas

Contribute to the overall success of the Department, acting as a role model for other members of the team

Flexibly support the delivery of projects across other categories as required, enabling Procurement to focus on those areas that can deliver most value.

Ensure all sourcing activity is conducted in line with Sainsbury’s Procurement Policy

How I will succeed

Take ownership for your category, becoming a trusted source of insight and solutions

Being persistently curious to understand key cost drivers within your category and identify opportunities for improvement

Influence stakeholders up to Divisional Director level to secure support for your ideas

Deliver value beyond just the numbers by making the most of your supplier and stakeholder relationships.

Confidently and independently lead difficult conversations and negotiations with senior internal and external contacts

Work cross-functionally with other parts of the business, leading others

Balance the needs of your stakeholders, the business, customers and colleagues in all of your decisions

Committed to delivering results and achieving the objectives agreed with your line manager

Maintain oversight of my categories in order to identify and effectively mitigate key supply chain risks.

Quantify and evaluate the cost/benefit of different options in order to optimise outcomes for Sainsbury’s Group

Within business governance framework, deliver business as usual activity such as supplier appraisal and selection, contract terms, negotiation strategies and supplier management.

Always act with integrity, living the Sainsbury’s values every day

What you need to know

IT services Procurement experience

Procurement or relevant commercial experience

Tactically and operationally  strong with a sharp commercial acumen

Critical thinking and analytical skills

Confident negotiation skills with knowledge /  background in contract law

Organisation and effective project management skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills, influence up to and including Senior Manager level

What you need to show

Curiosity and inquisitiveness and courage to challenge logically

Energetic, resilient and adaptable- effectively operate in dynamic, fast paced environments.

Effective communications skills, able to explain complex ideas in a simple way.

What decisions I can make

Managing and supporting the IT services category worth c£120m+ revenue and capital expenditure across varied portfolio of categories

Resources available to me

Category Managers

Buyers

Work-life balance is important to us, so we offer our colleagues as much flexibility as possible in line with the needs of their role. We trust them to decide how, where and when they work, combining remote and collaborative working with a flexible approach to hours, giving them plenty of time and space for life outside of work whilst delivering against our business goals.