Commercial Manager

About us: We are one of the top three automotive retailers in the UK, proudly representing 32 manufacturer brands, selling a huge range of new and used vehicles from over 150 dealerships across the UK and Ireland.

We believe our people are our greatest asset, and we’re committed to recognising the valuable contribution each person makes. That’s why we continue to invest in a leading rewards and benefits package designed to support your career, wellbeing, and life outside of work.

Commercial Manager
Hybrid – with travel as required

Salary – Competitive (plus bonus and benefits – including a company car)

Contract: Permanent, Full‑Time

About the role
This is a newly created role at the heart of our commercial transformation. We are implementing a group‑wide spend control and procure‑to‑pay platform across all 150+ sites, and this role is central to making it land well, ensuring the right suppliers, commercial terms, and category strategies are in place to realise significant savings and drive lasting procurement discipline across the network.

The role has two clear phases. In the near term, you will focus on preparing our supply base for go‑live: rationalising suppliers, developing category strategies, and leading commercial negotiations with key partners. Once live, you will step into a permanent BAU remit as our group Category Manager, owning strategic sourcing and supplier performance across our key spend categories.

It is a broad and high‑profile role, with direct exposure to the CFO and senior operational leadership across the group. If you are an experienced procurement professional looking for a role where you can make a tangible commercial difference at scale, this is it.

What You’ll Do – Phase 1: Platform Deployment
During the deployment phase, your focus will be on getting the commercial foundations right ahead of go‑live.

Supply Base Readiness

Analyse group‑wide spend data to identify trends, leakage, consolidation opportunities, and quick wins

Categorise and tier suppliers to support supplier enablement across the platform

Identify and prioritise suppliers for rationalisation and consolidation

Work with operations to understand site‑level demand and flag legacy or duplicate supplier relationships

Commercial Foundations

Develop high‑level category strategies across key spend areas ahead of go‑live

Identify and agree preferred suppliers; propose appropriate buying channels for each category

Lead commercial negotiations with priority suppliers to secure improved terms, pricing, and rebate structures

Agree heads of terms with suppliers and work closely with our Commercial Contracts Manager to progress formal contract execution

Stakeholder Engagement

Communicate category proposals and buying channel recommendations to operational stakeholders

Work with dealership general managers, service managers, and parts managers to validate requirements and build buy‑in

Support the change programme by helping operational leaders understand procurement policy and preferred supplier rationale

What You’ll Do – Phase 2: BAU Category Management
Following go‑live, you will take on full ownership of category management for the group across five areas.

Category Planning & Strategy

Develop and implement category strategies across key spend areas, including aftersales (parts, tyres, lubricants), facilities management, marketing and digital services, and fleet and vehicle logistics

Conduct market analysis, supplier benchmarking, and industry trend assessments

Define category objectives, KPIs, and risk management plans

Identify opportunities for cost savings, rebates, and value‑added services

Standardise products and services across dealership sites where appropriate

Collaborate with operations to forecast demand and align procurement strategy

Category Performance & Review

Lead regular category reviews (monthly/quarterly) across the dealership network

Track and report KPIs including cost savings, rebate income, supplier service levels, and spend compliance

Analyse spend data to identify ongoing leakage, consolidation opportunities, and performance gaps

Present category insights and recommendations to the CFO and VP Corporate Services

Continuously refine strategies based on operational feedback and market conditions

Strategic Sourcing

Lead sourcing activity for dealership goods and services; run tenders as required

Negotiate commercial terms including pricing, discounts, and rebate structures

Establish framework agreements and preferred supplier lists across the network

Agree heads of terms and commercial outcomes with suppliers; work with the Commercial Contracts Manager for formal contract drafting and execution

Drive spend compliance against preferred suppliers and minimise off‑contract purchasing

Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key suppliers across priority categories

Monitor supplier performance against commercial commitments — pricing, rebates, availability, service levels — and drive improvements where needed

Manage supply continuity risk for critical categories; maintain visibility of alternatives

Collaborate with suppliers to improve margins and enhance the Lookers customer offering

Stakeholder Engagement

Work with general managers, service managers, and parts managers across 150+ sites to understand local requirements

Influence buying behaviours and promote use of the procurement platform and preferred suppliers

Provide guidance on cost control and commercial best practice

Balance central procurement strategy with appropriate local flexibility

Support demand management and specification optimisation across the network

What We’re Looking For

5+ years in strategic procurement or category management

Proven track record of delivering cost savings through sourcing and supplier negotiation

Experience managing procurement across multiple sites or entities

Ability to engage and influence operational stakeholders at all levels

Comfortable working with spend data to identify and size opportunities

Able to operate in a fast‑paced environment with competing priorities

Experience in automotive retail, dealership networks, or aftersales procurement

Familiarity with P2P or e‑procurement platforms

Understanding of buying channel design and supplier enablement

CIPS qualified or working towards qualification

Who You’ll Work With

Chief Finance Officer – Your line manager, category strategy sign‑off and savings delivery

VP Corporate Services – Programme governance and commercial priorities

Commercial Contracts Manager – Handoff of agreed commercial terms for contract drafting and execution

Operations and Franchise directors – Requirements gathering, preferred supplier buy‑in, adoption

Dealership General Managers / Service Managers / Parts Managers – Site‑level demand, operational requirements, and compliance

Key Suppliers – Negotiations and ongoing commercial performance management

Core Benefits

Competitive salaries with structured pay scales and progression as you grow within the business

Generous annual leave that increases with your length of service

Enhanced family leave, including 6 months’ full pay for maternity and adoption leave, and 2 weeks’ full pay for paternity leave

Access to Techscheme for discounted technology purchases with flexible payments

Eyecare vouchers to help cover vision care needs

Smart Health – 24/7 access to GP services to support your mental and physical wellbeing

Dental insurance for everyday dental care and unexpected treatments

Optional critical illness cover for peace of mind during life’s most challenging moments

Financial Wellbeing

MyView PayNow – access a portion of your pay as you earn, with features to stream, save, and track your money through a user‑friendly app

Free will writing services to help plan for the future

Flexible life assurance options and partner life assurance for added protection

Discounted gym memberships to support an active lifestyle

Travel insurance to help you explore with confidence

Access to home and technology vouchers

Lookers and Charles Hurst are an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to a working environment that is free from discrimination, is inclusive, and empowers our people to bring their whole self to work and reach their full potential.

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