Direct Procurement Manager

Are you a detail-oriented Direct Procurement Manager with strong relationship skills ready to deliver measurable impact? If yes this role offers the opportunity for you to shape our supplier strategy, optimise costs, ensure supply continuity and be part of a business at a pivotal point in its journey.

Changing the world of pet food for good

We're a dog food subscription company with a big difference. We create truly tailored food for each and every dog we serve. We start by asking people a few simple questions about their dog. Then we use that information to create their dog's unique recipe - so their dog gets exactly the nutrition they need, in the taste they love, delivered to their door every month. It's clever stuff.

We've got bold plans. Having created an entirely new category in pet food, we're now scaling fast - backed by Purina, one of the world's largest pet food companies. You'll join a bunch of smart people working towards the same goals - and a bunch of smart-ish dogs, all working on their own thing.

Together, we'll change the world of pet food for good.

Build our brand

We're building a brand, fast. We set ambitious goals. We challenge and support each other in equal measure. At the pace we're moving, we prefer to test ideas and learn quickly rather than spend months building a business case. That means we celebrate when things go right, and we learn when things go wrong.

The role

We're looking for a Direct Procurement Manager to join the pack at our newly renovated HQ in Richmond. This is a high impact role with end to end ownership of all direct spend at covering food and packaging. The right candidate will have entrepreneurial spirit, attention to detail and the initiative to work independently and as a team, helping us to improve our processes and source the right partners for the future.

You will be responsible for:

• Strategic Sourcing: Develop, fully own and lead category strategies for kibble, wet food, treats, packaging and other pet health products & accessories using Nestle's 7 step sourcing and supplier segmentation frameworks.
• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Working with suppliers and the supply chain team to monitor supplier performance through KPIs and regular reviews, driving corrective actions as necessary. Building positive relationships with strategic partners and sharing expectations and formalised agendas based on tier, to create alignment and opportunities for information sharing.
• RFP/RFQ's: Regularly leading tenders and competitive bidding processes to source new suppliers to support future growth, innovation, sustainability and to meet margin targets and the bottom line.
• Cost Savings and Mitigation: Analysing spend data, identifying cost saving initiatives and managing commodity reviews with existing suppliers in line with the contract.
• Supply Risk Management: Building and maintaining a business continuity plan, validating contingency sites for high impact SKUs to guarantee supply continuity.
• Contract Management: Negotiate new and existing contracts to secure favourable terms for the business, building out dossiers to ensure commitment to agreed commercials and compliance with testing standards.
• Forecasting and PPV: Providing accurate and validated forecasts to the finance team, to inform forward investment and business spending. Tracking deviations each quarter from forecasts and the operational plan (OP) and working closely with finance and suppliers to ensure full alignment.
• Environmental & Social Governance (ESG): Keeping the Code of Conduct up to date, in line with current legislation. Experience working with suppliers to ensure compliance with Nestle standards and working closely with external partners to improve Tails BCorp score.
• Market Study & Travel: Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the manufacturing landscape, tracking market dynamics, supplier capabilities and emerging opportunities. Attend industry trade shows and site visits within the UK and abroad as required.

The skills you'll bring:

• Education: Bachelor's degree or similar is desirable.
• Experience: 5+ years in procurement and strategic sourcing. Proven track record of delivering measurable cost savings and value creation.
• Proficiency with Excel & detail oriented, comfortable with complex analysis and maintenance of large datasets. Legal: Experience setting up and negotiating contracts and a familiarity with contract law.
• Strong negotiator and deal maker, ability to negotiate internally and externally while maintaining positive relationships. Strong ability to prioritise under pressure and keep a lot of plates spinning.
• Certification: CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) qualifications is useful but not essential.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive salary, reviewed annually.
• Annual bonus, based on company performance.
• Flexible core hours, giving you true work life balance.
• Hybrid role to ensure this role works for you.
• 25 days of holiday (excluding bank holidays) which increases over time to a max of 27 days.
• 9/10 day working week to enhance your wellbeing without a reduction in pay and leave allowance.
• Optional 5 days unpaid leave and 1 paid volunteer day each year.
• When you need a change of scenery, you can work from abroad 2 weeks every 6 months.
• Health insurance for you, paid by
• Extended maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption pay. 6 months at 70% pay.
• Flexible paid care leave to support immediate dependants, people close to you and pets.
• In house L&D team, with access to year round courses to help drive your development.
• 50% discount on all
• Discounted gym membership.

Our Commitment

We're proud to be an active equal opportunity employer. We want to give everyone a fair chance to join us in changing the world of pet food for good. We conduct a structured recruitment process for all candidates, and we actively promote our roles to communities that are under represented at During your interview process you'll meet some of our team with varying levels of responsibility and experience. We want to give every candidate a fair interview process and if you need any reasonable adjustments made, please let us know.