Purchasing Manager - IT & Marketing

Job Title: Purchasing Manager – IT & Marketing

Agency: Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency

Client: Greggs

Location: Greggs House, Quorum Business Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time (Monday to Friday, with flexible working options considered)

About the Role

Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to join the Good Not For Resale (GNFR) Procurement team for Greggs at their head office in Newcastle upon Tyne.

In this strategic role, you will help manage a GNFR spend portfolio valued at approximately £50m, focusing specifically on IT and Marketing categories. You will lead end-to-end procurement processes—from RFI/RFP through commercial negotiations, contract drafting (including SaaS MSAs), to ongoing supplier relationship management—delivering commercial value and cost savings to support ongoing business growth across circa 2,500 retail shops and manufacturing sites.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Procurement: Drive the full sourcing lifecycle, including tender preparation (RFI/RFP), commercial and contractual negotiations, and contract execution.

• Category Management: Take ownership of cost-saving and value-creation initiatives across IT hardware, 3rd party software, in-store retail marketing, and corporate service contracts.

• Contract & Supplier Management: Negotiate MSAs for SaaS/services, define SLAs, manage supplier performance, and resolve operational issues efficiently.

• Data Analysis & Strategy: Extract and analyze SAP data to identify supplier consolidation opportunities, support long-term category strategy, and track procurement metrics.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with internal category leads, senior management, and external suppliers to align procurement activities with broader business objectives.

• Responsible Sourcing: Adhere to and contribute toward Greggs' Responsible Sourcing standards and sustainability goals.

What We Are Looking For

• Experience: Significant background managing large, complex spend portfolios, specifically within IT, Marketing, or indirect procurement categories.

• Commercial Skills: Proven track record in supplier management, commercial negotiations, MSAs/contract law, and executing cost-reduction initiatives.

• Technical Proficiency: Experience with SAP (or similar ERP), Microsoft 365 (advanced Excel, Power BI, Copilot), and CMMS/e-procurement tools.

• Qualifications: Relevant industry experience or procurement qualifications; support for CIPS and GAP Negotiation training is provided.

• Soft Skills: Excellent diplomacy, verbal and written communication, numerical reasoning, stakeholder management, and organizational abilities under pressure.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive annual salary up to £50,000.

• Management Bonus Scheme (up to 12.5% of salary).

• 25 days annual leave (pro-rated, increasing with service) + bank holidays + 1 floating day, with options to buy additional leave twice yearly.

• Free Private Medical Insurance for colleagues (subsidized for dependants).

• Pension scheme with matching employer contributions up to 7%.

• 10% company profit-sharing scheme (after 6 months of service).

• Death in service benefit (4x annual salary) and long-term income protection.

• Colleague discount offering up to 50% off Greggs products and discounted colleague share plans.

• Total wellbeing app providing access to virtual GP, physiotherapy, and lifestyle consultations, plus a confidential Employee Assistance Programme.

• Professional development funding (CIPS qualifications and specialized negotiation training).