Direct Procurement Manager - 13 Month Fixed Term Contract

POSITION SNAPSHOTRole: Direct Procurement ManagerLocation: ManchesterContract type: 13 Month Maternity Cover WHY US AND WHY THIS ROLEWe are PZ Cussons. Our purpose is For Everyone, For Life, For Good. Sustainability and the wellbeing of people, families and communities everywhere are at the heart of everything that we do. Since 1884, we’ve been creating products that delight, care for and nourish consumers.This role sits at the heart of how we bring our products to life. As Direct Procurement Manager, you’ll shape how we source, partner and innovate across packaging and third-party manufacturing. You’ll play a key role in getting new ideas to market faster, improving margins and building resilient supply partnerships. It’s a hands-on, commercially focused role where your decisions will directly influence product success, brand growth and how we continue to evolve in a fast-moving FMCG environment.WHAT YOU’LL BE DOINGOwn procurement strategy across selected brands and packaging categories, delivering value, innovation and supply continuityBuild and develop supplier partnerships that unlock new ideas, strengthen resilience and support long-term growthPlay a central role in new product development, helping source the right partners and ensure launches are delivered on time and on budgetDrive cost optimisation and margin improvement through smart sourcing, negotiation and continuous improvementWork closely with teams across NPD, Supply Chain, R&D and Quality to bring products to market at paceMonitor supplier performance and market trends, proactively managing risk and identifying new opportunitiesWHAT YOU’LL BRINGExperience in procurement or sourcing within FMCG, manufacturing or packagingStrong commercial instinct, with confidence in negotiation and supplier managementThe ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environmentGreat communication skills, with the confidence to influence and collaborate across teamsAn analytical mindset and confidence working with dataFamiliarity with tools such as Excel, PowerPoint and ideally SAP or similar systemsWHAT YOU’LL GET IN RETURNThe opportunity to work on well-loved brands with real consumer impactA collaborative, fast-paced environment where your ideas are heard and valuedExposure across global teams, suppliers and innovation projectsFlexible ways of working, with time spent connecting in our Manchester officeOUR PURPOSE, CULTURE AND VALUESAt PZ Cussons, our purpose is For everyone, for life, for good. We believe in creating products that care for people, families and communities everywhere.We’re a business that’s big enough for you to make an impact, but small enough for you to shape your own path. You’ll find a culture that’s collaborative, supportive and focused on doing the right thing — for our consumers, our people and the world around us.INCLUSION AND FAIRNESSWe are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome appli...