📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Buyer (Marketing)
🔹 Company: THG
🔹 Location: Manchester, UK
🔹 Job Type: On-site
🔹 Category: Retail
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-21
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading strategic sourcing exercises in Technology and Marketing
- Managing key suppliers and negotiating high-value contracts
- Collaborating with senior stakeholders on complex procurement initiatives
- Identifying savings opportunities and maintaining a procurement pipeline
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of experience and expertise in indirect procurement, with a focus on Marketing, Technology, or Professional Services categories.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Identify savings opportunities and create/maintain a procurement pipeline
✅ Work collaboratively with senior business stakeholders to execute complex procurement initiatives
✅ Manage key suppliers to ensure value is delivered throughout the contract cycle
✅ Negotiate high-value contracts, ensuring favourable commercial terms are secured
✅ Collaborate with Legal and InfoSec to negotiate robust contract clauses
✅ Keep up to date with market trends and identify innovative new technologies
ASSUMPTION: The role may involve working with cross-functional teams and requires strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field
Experience: Proven experience in indirect procurement, with a focus on Marketing, Technology, or Professional Services categories
Required Skills:
- Advanced Excel skills and data analysis capabilities
- Strong problem-solving skills and proactive mindset
- High level of commercial awareness and excellent negotiation skills
- Collaborative approach to working with senior business stakeholders
- Robust understanding of procurement process and best-practice
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with procurement software and tools
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: A relevant professional certification (e.g., CIPS, CPSM) would be beneficial but not required.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £55,000 - £70,000 per annum (based on industry standards for a Senior Buyer role in the UK)
Benefits:
- Career Development: Access to bespoke development programmes and upskilling opportunities
- Enhanced Leave: 25 days annual leave, birthday off, enhanced maternity and paternity pay, compassionate leave, buy back up to 3 days, unlock 2 days volunteer leave after 12 months
- Wellbeing Support: Access to in-house GP, CBT therapist, Employee Assistance Programme, on-site gym, and physio
- Other Perks: Salary sacrifice scheme for personal tech, subsidised bus pass, staff discount on THG brands, on-site staff shop, access to on-site barber, referral bonuses, anniversary gifts
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: THG operates in the global e-commerce retail sector, with a focus on Beauty and Sports Nutrition
Company Size: THG is a mid-sized company with 1,001-5,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for career growth and development
Founded: THG was founded in 2004 and has since grown into a global e-commerce group with operations in multiple countries
Company Description:
- THG is a global e-commerce group operating through two leading consumer businesses: THG Beauty and THG Nutrition
- The company offers a valued route to market for over 1,300 third-party brands and a specialist portfolio of owned brands
- THG Beauty operates prominent online platforms including Lookfantastic, Dermstore, and Cult Beauty, while THG Nutrition is led by Myprotein, the world’s largest online sports nutrition brand
Company Specialties:
- Retail
- Online
- Market Place
- Clothing
- Data
- Wellbeing
- Sports Nutrition
- Brand Building
- Beauty
- Ecommerce
Company Website: https://www.thg.com
ASSUMPTION: THG's focus on growth and innovation provides a dynamic and challenging work environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring significant experience and expertise in indirect procurement
Reporting Structure: The Senior Buyer (Marketing) role reports directly to the Head of Procurement or a similar senior position within the procurement department
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site role, with the expectation of working from the company's headquarters in Manchester, UK
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Head of Procurement or similar senior role within the procurement department
- Expansion of responsibilities to cover additional indirect spend categories or regions
- Transition to a strategic or leadership role within THG's central functions or one of its operating businesses
ASSUMPTION: THG's fast-paced growth and expansion provide ample opportunities for career progression and development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: THG's headquarters is a modern, state-of-the-art facility located in Manchester, UK
Office Location(s): Icon 1, WA15 0AF, Manchester, UK
Geographic Context:
- Manchester is a vibrant, multicultural city with a rich history and a thriving business ecosystem
- The city is well-connected by public transportation, with easy access to major motorways and rail networks
- Manchester is home to a diverse range of industries, including retail, finance, and technology
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with a 30-minute lunch break
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at THG's headquarters is dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced, reflecting the company's growth and expansion.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the HR team
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or other senior stakeholders
- Final round interview with the Head of Procurement or a similar senior position
Key Assessment Areas:
- Indirect procurement experience and expertise
- Problem-solving skills and commercial awareness
- Negotiation skills and stakeholder management
- Data analysis capabilities and attention to detail
- Alignment with THG's company values and culture
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of THG's business and the specific requirements of the Senior Buyer (Marketing) role
- Prepare examples of your procurement achievements and the impact you've made in previous roles
- Research THG's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how you align with them
ATS Keywords: Indirect Procurement, Marketing, Technology, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Management, Negotiation, Stakeholder Management, Data Analysis, Procurement Pipeline, Commercial Awareness
ASSUMPTION: The interview process at THG is thorough and comprehensive, designed to assess the candidate's skills, experience, and cultural fit for the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Procurement-specific software and tools (e.g., Coupa, Jaggaer, SAP Ariba)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with procurement software and tools is beneficial but not required, as THG provides training and development opportunities.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer First
- Think Big
- Act Bold
- Be Kind
- Make It Happen
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Results-driven and focused on delivering exceptional outcomes
- Adaptable and open to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with THG's company values, particularly 'Think Big' and 'Act Bold'?
- How do you approach working collaboratively with senior business stakeholders, and how do you ensure their needs are met?
- How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment?
ASSUMPTION: THG's company culture is dynamic, innovative, and focused on growth and success, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and teamwork.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a high volume of indirect spend across multiple categories
- Balancing strategic sourcing initiatives with day-to-day supplier management
- Navigating a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with competing priorities
- Working with senior business stakeholders who may have varying levels of procurement knowledge and experience
ASSUMPTION: The Senior Buyer (Marketing) role at THG presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth and development.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other indirect procurement roles, this position has a specific focus on Marketing and Technology spend categories
- THG's fast-paced growth and expansion provide unique opportunities for career progression and development
- Compared to other senior procurement roles, this position requires a high level of experience and expertise in indirect procurement
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on Marketing and Technology spend categories and the opportunities it presents for career growth and development within a dynamic, expanding organization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Leading a strategic sourcing initiative to consolidate multiple marketing agencies into a single, global partner
- Negotiating a complex, high-value contract with a technology provider to deliver significant cost savings and improved service levels
- Managing a key supplier relationship to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality marketing materials and on-time project completion
ASSUMPTION: The specific projects and initiatives in this role will vary depending on THG's current priorities and business needs.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most pressing procurement challenges facing THG's Marketing and Technology spend categories?
- How does THG support the professional development and growth of its procurement team members?
- What is the typical career path for a Senior Buyer (Marketing) at THG, and what opportunities exist for progression within the procurement department or the wider organization?
- How does THG balance the need for strategic, long-term sourcing initiatives with the day-to-day demands of supplier management and stakeholder engagement?
- What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this manifest in the procurement department and the wider organization?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your understanding of THG's business and culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your procurement achievements and the impact you've made in previous roles
- Research THG's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how you align with them
- Follow up with the HR team within 7 days of submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
