Job Description

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world . As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment. Ready to bring your best?

We are looking for a strategic and commercially minded Senior Procurement Manager – Directs (Maternity Cover - 12months FTC) to join our Procurement Leadership Team. Leading a team of three, you will set the strategic direction for business-critical direct spend and deliver sustainable commercial value, supply resilience and competitive advantage.

This is a high-impact leadership role where you will shape senior business decisions, strengthen strategic supplier partnerships and ensure procurement priorities support margin, cash, quality, innovation, sustainability and continuity of supply.

This role is based at our head office in Weybridge, Surrey, with the option to work from home up to one day per week, based on business need.

Work pattern: Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week.

YOU’LL MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MATTER BY…

• Setting and delivering multi-year category strategies aligned with our business priorities, growth plans and approach to risk.
• Acting as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders, using commercial, market and operational insight to influence decisions and constructively challenge the business.
• Delivering sustainable value across cost, margin, cash and working capital while balancing quality, sustainability and continuity of supply.
• Providing commercial leadership across complex sourcing, supplier and contract decisions, supported by robust governance and clear accountability.
• Leading, coaching and developing three direct reports, creating an inclusive, accountable and high-performing team.
• Strengthening succession and building the strategic, commercial and technical capability of the team.
• Shaping strategic supplier relationships, performance and risk through effective executive-level governance and escalation.
• Leading cross-functional change and continuous improvement across procurement.
• Embedding responsible sourcing, supplier innovation, market insight and consistent procurement standards.
• Proactively identifying and managing commercial, operational, ethical and supply chain risks.

YOU’RE BEST SUITED FOR THE ROLE IF YOU ARE…

• An experienced procurement leader with a strong background in strategic direct procurement within a complex, multi-site or multinational environment.
• Commercially astute, with advanced capability across category strategy, value creation, supplier economics, contracts and negotiation.
• Experienced in leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams.
• Able to translate business priorities, market dynamics and risk into clear long-term category strategies.
• A confident and credible partner who can build trusted relationships and influence senior stakeholders.
• Comfortable making balanced decisions in ambiguous situations and taking ownership for delivery and escalation.
• Experienced in leading change, maintaining momentum and embedding improved ways of working.
• Skilled in strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, governance and risk management.
• Externally focused, using market intelligence, supplier capability, innovation and sustainability insight to improve business outcomes.
• Qualified in procurement, commercial management or business, although this is desirable rather than essential.

WE SUPPORT AND CARE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES BY PROVIDING YOU WITH…

• Company car or travel allowance
• Private healthcare
• Completion Bonus
• A hybrid working approach, subject to business need.
• An inclusive working environment.
• Opportunities for career progression in the UK and overseas.
• Enhanced employer pension contributions.
• A health cash plan, allowing you to claim money back towards essential healthcare, including dental and eye care.
• Access to Thrive, a clinically approved wellbeing app available 24 hours a day.
• Long-service recognition every five years.
• Life assurance of up to four times your contractual pay.
• Discounted branded products.
• Free onsite parking.
• 25 days’ holiday plus eight bank holidays.
• One paid working day each year to volunteer for a local community or charitable organisation of your choice.
• The opportunity to swap traditional UK holidays for dates that are significant to your cultural or religious beliefs.
• Access to My Staff Shop, offering exclusive benefits, advice and savings from thousands of UK retailers and service providers.

For additional information about our benefits, please visit the Saputo Dairy UK employee benefits page.

We support employment equity. Saputo strives to embed diversity and inclusion throughout its operations and invites candidates from all backgrounds to join our team.

To enable you to bring your best, we will ensure you are provided with any physical or non-physical adjustments required to support your participation in the application and interview process

Agencies: Thank you for your interest in working with Saputo Dairy UK. We have a preferred supplier list that will support us where needed. We do not pay fees or acknowledge speculative CVs supplied to Saputo Dairy UK unless you have been briefed on the role by a member of the Talent Acquisition team.

In the UK, Saputo is a producer of leading British food brands and value-added ingredients. We manufacture a range of cheeses, dairy spreads, and dairy-free products, with a portfolio of well-loved brands including Cathedral City, Clover, Country Life, Frylight and Wensleydale.

Whether your expertise lies in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, sales, quality assurance, or in any other function, your role is integral to our success.

You will make contributions that matter, all while working alongside colleagues who genuinely care about your success and who will roll up their sleeves to help.