Job Description
At Mr Fothergills Seed’s we are in the business of bringing gardens to life. Known for our exceptional range of seeds, garden products and horticultural expertise with well-known brands such as Mr Fothergill’s, Johnsons, DT Brown and Darlac our products can be found in garden centres, big retailers and direct to consumers through our websites and catalogues. We have a legacy of quality, a loyal customer base and are committed to inspiring and empowering gardeners of all levels.
We are a passionate team with a strong can-do attitude. We show respect to one another and are keen to innovate on our respective areas of expertise. We value agility, understand the journey our business is on and strive to add our unique mark onto that journey. We work hard but don’t forget to have fun. Our company purpose is “Helping Everyone Grow” and we extend that purpose to everything we do.
We’re seeking an experienced Procurement Manager to lead and develop our procurement capability across Hardware / Hardlines, Goods Not For Resale (GNFR), and Services.
This role will design and implement category strategies, optimise supplier performance, and deliver best value for the business by balancing quality, cost, and sustainability.
You’ll work closely with colleagues in Planning, Technical / Quality, and Distribution, as well as the Category Lead for Seeds and Plants, to embed consistent procurement practices and deliver strong commercial outcomes.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious procurement professional to shape the company’s approach to sourcing and supplier management, owning a clear and high-impact remit within a growing, values-driven organisation.
Core Responsibilities:
* Develop and implement sourcing and supplier strategies across all assigned categories, ensuring best value and fit-for-purpose supply.
* Build and manage a robust, sustainable global supply chain for key hardware and GNFR products.
* Manage supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, and ongoing performance management (including KPIs and SLAs).
* Ensure optimal stock availability by buying at the right time and quantity in line with business plans.
* Partner with Finance and Planning teams to set and deliver annual procurement budgets and cost-efficiency targets.
* Monitor and report on cost, price variance, and supplier performance metrics.
* Identify and reduce non-value-adding spend, redirecting investment toward value-driving activities.
* Support development of consistent category management practices across the wider business.
* Drive sustainability initiatives in partnership with the Head of Technical.
* Coach and develop one direct report, building a high-performing procurement function.
We are looking for someone who a commercially astute procurement professional with strong leadership and influencing skills, capable of driving value across diverse categories. You thrive in a hands-on, cross-functional role and are motivated by the opportunity to build procurement into a core capability for the business. You will also have:
* 5+ years’ procurement experience across multiple categories, with at least 2 years in a leadership or ownership role.
* Proven ability to deliver end-to-end value and manage supplier relationships beyond cost savings.
* Strong negotiation, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
* Excellent Excel and general systems literacy.
* Experience designing or improving procurement processes.
Nice to Haves:
* Background in horticulture, manufacturing, or retail supply chains.
* Familiarity with ERP or procurement systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Coupa).
* Formal procurement qualification (e.g., CIPS / MCIPS).
* Experience embedding sustainability or ESG principles in sourcing.
The world of gardening should be accessible to all and it’s important that our teams reflect the diversity of our customers, ensuring that our products meet everyone’s needs. Therefore, we very much welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We’re ‘rooting’ for you!
Your application will be handled securely and in line with UK GDPR. You can request a copy of our Recruitment Privacy Policy at any time by contacting us at recruitment@mr-fothergills.co.uk