Role Overview
Vision Express is seeking an experienced Indirect Procurement Manager to lead regional sourcing strategies, manage supplier relationships, and align operations across the UK & Nordics with global category management teams. This hybrid role is based at our Support Office in Nottingham.
Who Are We?
We’re Vision Express – with over 550 stores across the UK and Ireland, we offer a variety of working environments, from vibrant city centre flagships to charming village stores and scenic coastal locations.
We’re proud to be part of the EssilorLuxottica family – the global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of lenses, frames, and sunglasses. Our portfolio includes iconic brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Costa, Vogue Eyewear, Persol, and Oliver Peoples, alongside over 20 prestigious licensed brands.
Who Is the Perfect Candidate?
We’re looking for someone who brings:
- Proven ability to lead sourcing optimisation projects across multiple countries and complex stakeholder landscapes
- Extensive procurement experience, ideally in category management at regional or global levels within a multinational organisation
- Versatility and interest in managing a variety of purchasing categories
- Strong financial acumen, including understanding of procurement KPIs, P&L structures, business case development, make-or-buy analysis, and Procure-to-Pay processes
- A collaborative mindset, problem-solving skills, and leadership capability to navigate a complex, evolving footprint
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite (essential); experience with SAP and Ariba (preferred)
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a €30 million spend across 1,000+ stores in the UK/Ireland & Nordics, covering G&A categories including GNFR and Facility Management
- Define and implement regional sourcing strategies in alignment with Global and Regional Category Managers
- Identify synergies across Retail, Wholesale, and Operations to optimise contract performance and manage cost levers
- Lead and report on a sustainable savings plan, tracking KPIs within your area of responsibility
- Strengthen stakeholder relationships to centralise procurement and budgeting governance within EssilorLuxottica
- Support business decisions through procurement analysis and cost management for business case scenarios
- Build and manage regional vendor relationships, ensure compliance, establish Preferred Supplier lists, and harmonise vendor panels across EMEA and globally
Benefits of Working for Vision Express
- Competitive pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Free annual eyewear from day one
- Free parking at our Ruddington head office
- Opportunities to support the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation
- Friends & family discounts
- Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential support
- 33 days annual leave (increasing with service), with the option to buy or sell holiday
- Flexible health benefits including Health Cash Plan, Critical Illness Cover, Dental Plan, and more
- Access to internal communities for collaboration and knowledge sharing
- Lifestyle benefits such as Gymflex, Dining Cards, Discounted Travel Insurance, Experience Days, and Cycle to Work Scheme
- …and much more!