Senior Procurement Manager- Zero Carbon Living /Direct Procurement

We’re making zero carbon happen

We’re OVO Group, a big family of companies united by a single vision: to get to zero carbon, fast. 

We call this Plan Zero – and it shows how we’ll be fighting the climate crisis and transforming the way people use energy over the next decade. To do this, we need the sharpest minds. Are you up for the challenge?

Do great green things with OVO Energy

So much has changed since we launched in 2009.  Our goal remains the same though: make energy cheaper, greener, and simpler. Just as it was on day one.

Unfortunately due to the level and nature of the role, we're unable to offer sponsorship for this position.

Everyone belongs at OVO

Our aim is to build a diverse and inclusive movement: teams of brilliant people, with unique talents, skills, passions, and experiences. 

We encourage everyone to join us, whatever your gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, life experience, or background. So please come as you are – we can’t wait to meet you.

Where in the world of OVO will I be working?

You will be working within OVOs Procurement Team which sits within the Finance area, reporting to the OVO Head of Procurement

Buying goods or services is a crucial part of OVO’s business. It enables us to deliver a whole range of products to our customers - marketing campaigns, technology and everything in between.

The Procurement Team’s objectives are:

• Driving value and innovation from our supplier ecosystem to support OVOs targets
• Working in a Business partnering capacity to align with business strategy
• Ensuring the Procurement Policy and process is followed, reducing risks and improving compliance whilst still allowing OVO to operate in an agile manner.
• Maintaining a knowledge of relevant supply markets, products, technologies and trends.
• Ensuring Sustainability is considered in all Procurement decisions
• Continuously improving Procurement process, data, systems, capability and culture as we strive to become a leading Procurement team

What will I be doing?

In this role you will be responsible for:

• Building and owning procurement strategies to support OVOs growth in Zero Carbon living along with other Direct Procurement categories
• Business partnering with operational team members (i.e COO, Operations Director) with regular exposure to C Suite
• Playing a key role in developing OVOs supplier ecosystem to support strategic opportunities.
• Driving commercial benefits by open competition, but also by encouraging relationships and collaboration with suppliers
• Ensuring relevant budgets are in place and all OVO team members are aligned with the procurement policy and process 
• Continuously striving for improvements in cost, value and innovation. 
• Continuous improvement of Procurement tools (P2P, RFP, Contract database), whilst handling change with OVO stakeholders.
• Management and development of a small team of Procurement Managers
• Supporting OVOs Plan Zero objectives

Is this the job for me?

The ideal candidate should have a background which reflects the following elements:

• MCIPS qualified (or working towards this) with proven experience in a similar role
• Experience in a senior procurement role with line management responsibilities.
• A strong negotiator and business partner with previous exposure to C level stakeholders.
• Comprehensive experience across multiple (particularly Direct) procurement categories
• Experience of the Energy sector
• Comfortable working in a constantly evolving environment and proposing, rationalising, initiating and implementing change.
• Strong presentation, relationship building, negotiation, facilitation and conflict resolution skills
• Able to apply skills beyond the traditional functions of Procurement and to bring them to bear on a broad range of commercial issues.
• Knowledge of Procurement systems (i.e Source to Contract and P2P)
• You should also be a self starter. team-oriented and with a collaborative, pragmatic approach.

Brilliant benefits for a world-changing team

Our people are at the heart of Plan Zero. That’s why we offer plenty of green benefits and progressive policies to make you feel at home.

For starters, you’ll get 34 days of holiday (including bank holidays).

Then there’s Flex Pay. It’s an extra 9% of your salary on top of your core pay to use as you like. You can take it as cash, add to your pension, or choose to spend it on a huge range of flex benefits.

Here’s a taster of what’s on offer:

For your health
With benefits like a healthcare cash plan or private medical insurance depending on your career level, critical illness cover, life assurance, health assessments, and more

For your wellbeing
With gym membership, gadget, travel and cyber insurance, workplace ISA, will writing services, DNA testing, dental insurance, and more

For your lifestyle
With extra holiday buying, discount dining, culture cards, tech loans, and supporting your favourite charities with give-as-you-earn donations

For your home 
Get up to £300 off any OVO Energy plan (when you pay by Direct Debit), plus personal carbon offsetting and great discounts on smart thermostats and EV chargers

For your commute
Nab a great deal on ultra-low emission car leasing, plus our cycle to work scheme and public transport season ticket loans 

Want to hear about our full range of flexible benefits and progressive people policies? Our People Team can tell you everything you need to know.

Oh, and one last thing...

We’d be thrilled if you tick off all our boxes yet we also believe it’s just as important we tick off all of yours. And if you think you have most of what we’re looking for but not every single thing, go ahead and hit apply. We’d still love to hear from you!