Procurement Specialist

Due to continued growth, we are looking for an experienced procurement professional to manage a significant portfolio of spend, worth approximately £180 million annually. This role focuses on delivering value for money, cost savings, and strategic supply solutions that support the business’s operational needs and growth plans.

You will lead and support sourcing activities, negotiate contracts, manage supplier relationships, and work closely with stakeholders across the business to develop and implement effective procurement strategies.

Why join Howdens as a Procurement Specialist:

• The opportunity to work on high-value, high-impact procurement projects
• Exposure to a wide range of categories and senior stakeholders
• A role that combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery
• The chance to shape long-term supplier relationships and deliver measurable business benefits

What will I be doing as a Procurement Specialist?

• Strategic Procurement – Support the development of the Indirect Procurement strategy. Manage tenders, RFQs, and benchmarking exercises; evaluate supplier proposals; and make commercially sound recommendations aligned with the business needs
• Category Management – Manage sourcing, and ongoing management of indirect categories, ensuring spend is optimised and suppliers deliver maximum value
• Negotiation & Contracting – Negotiate commercial terms, working with legal and procurement colleagues to ensure robust contracts are in place
• Supplier Relationship Management – Build strong relationships with key suppliers, monitoring performance, identifying improvements, and ensuring service levels meet business needs
• Stakeholder Engagement – Collaborate with internal teams to understand requirements, challenge current supply strategies, and develop innovative sourcing solutions
• Continuous Improvement – Drive year-on-year improvements in cost, service, and quality

What we are looking for:

• Indirect procurement experience
• Strong negotiation skills with proven commercial acumen
• Solid understanding of contract law and commercial contracts
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and present data clearly
• CIPS qualification (or working towards) is desirable

 What we can offer you:

• Competitive salary + annual bonus
• Excellent pension scheme (matched company contribution of up to 12%)
• Free daily meal at on on-site canteen
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays per year & opportunity to buy extra holidays
• Share save scheme
• Exceptional reward and recognition events

Grade | 5

Reporting to Kerrie Doncel | Indirect Procurement Manager

How to apply

Before you apply, please speak to your manager so that they are aware of your interest in this role. Please take note that this advert is a summary of the main duties and responsibilities and may be subject to change. 

If you have any questions or need any further support or information, please get in touch with Tayla Parkinson or Caroline Isaksen, Recruitment Advisor, or any member of the recruitment team.

Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email recruitmentteam@howdens.com with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you.