What can you expect from the role?

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!