Senior Sourcing Manager

At Direct Line Group, insurance is just the start. Combining decades of industry experience with talented people in every field from data, technology, customer care and auto repair, to HR, finance and procurement, we're a customer-obsessed market powerhouse. And we all work together to be brilliant for customers, every single day.

Group Procurement is at the heart of this change agenda. As a strategic commercial function, we're helping to shape the group's third party approach and be a key driver of competitive advantage for the business. As a centre for excellence in Procurement and Partnering, we support all business functions to manage performance and risk, along with driving value in the service of the end customer. As a result, it is incredibly fast-paced, dynamic, and diverse, with suppliers ranging from critical IT platforms and software to marketing agencies, HR supply chains and professional services.

This exciting Senior Sourcing Manager opportunity will lead and implement the commercial strategy focussed on categories within our Professional Services and Marketing team. Managing sourcing of high-value and complex external supplier spend, you will be responsible for helping Direct Line Group deliver on its ambition to support profitable growth, reduce costs, and simplify, through effective development and delivery of sourcing and contracting strategies.

What you'll be doing:

1. Lead on the development of sourcing strategies for complex or high-risk categories to identify demand, specification, and supply chain opportunities, by understanding the key category cost drivers, markets, innovation, and risks.
2. Engage with senior partners to understand their business needs, along with influencing the commercial outcomes.
3. Manage your own strategic sourcing portfolio and deliver a pipeline of savings aligned to the business strategy.
4. Lead complex end-to-end sourcing activity including sourcing plan, tenders (RFI/RFP), complex supplier negotiations and implement contract arrangements.
5. Support the Business to shape the future by bringing in market insight and innovation to be at the forefront of the category.
6. Ensure our approach and the outcomes align to our Group controls and risk appetite.
7. Coach/manage sourcing managers to set goals, manage workload, and conduct performance reviews.

What you'll need:

1. Experience in leading complex strategic sourcing, including end-to-end market reviews.
2. Be data-led in the development of Sourcing and Category Plans using insight to shape and influence commercial outcomes.
3. Good commercial acumen, with a natural curiosity and an ability to simplify the complex.
4. Excellent negotiation skills, with experience in leading both complex commercial and contractual negotiations.
5. Coaching skills: leading through mentoring - the ability to support the development of junior members as they progress their sourcing career.

Ways of Working:

Our hybrid model offers a 'best of both worlds' approach. The perfect blend between connection and flexibility combining the best parts of home and office working. When you'll be in the office depends on your role and team, but colleagues spend 2 days a week in the office to collaborate and connect.

What we'll give you:

1. 50% off home, motor and pet insurance plus free travel insurance and Green Flag breakdown cover.
2. Additional optional Health and Dental insurance.
3. AIP bonus.
4. Private Medical Care.
5. EV car scheme allows all colleagues to lease a brand new electric or plug-in hybrid car in a tax efficient way.
6. 30 days annual leave.
7. Buy as you earn share scheme.
8. Employee discounts and cashback.
9. Plus many more!

Be yourself:

Difference makes us who we are. We believe everyone should feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work - that's why we champion diverse voices, build workplaces that work for people, and invest in the things that matter. From senior leadership to inclusivity networks, adaptive working to inclusion training, we've made it our mission to give you everything you need to be authentically you.

Here at DLG we believe that there's no one else like you. No one with the exact same mix of strengths, quirks, skills, and thoughts. We all work together to be brilliant for our customers every day. We're proud of who we are, of what we do, and what every single one of us brings to the team.

Like what you see? When we all come together, we can achieve great things. The question is, are you one of a kind too?

Be Yourself

Here at Direct Line Group, we recognise that AI tools are becoming increasingly popular and are often used by candidates during the recruitment process. While these tools can be helpful for checking spelling and grammar, we strongly encourage you to Be Yourself. We want to see your authentic self by hearing your unique voice and genuine experiences. As you prepare for your interviews, remember to answer questions in your own words, sharing your true experiences. At Direct Line Group, we believe in Owning It and Winning Together, and your authentic perspective is what will help us determine if you're a great fit for our team!