Director of Drinks Procurement - United Kingdom

Director of Drinks Procurement - United Kingdom The Drinks Procurement Director will be responsible for leading and optimising Stonegate's Drinks Procurement Strategy, ensuring that we have the right products in the right formats to meet customer demand, whilst securing market-leading commercial terms, across all Beer, Cider, Wine, Spirits and Soft Drinks categories. This leadership role is supplier-facing, requiring a strong ability to negotiate pricing, terms, and investments. The Drinks Procurement Director will also be responsible for building collaborative, differentiated partnerships with suppliers and ensuring these relationships drive both commercial and operational success. Additionally, the role requires a close partnership with cross-functional teams, including marketing, logistics, operations, finance, and other functions. As a leadership team member, you will play a critical role in shaping Stonegate's drinks strategy, leading high-impact initiatives, and ensuring that Stonegate maintains our competitive edge in the market. Key responsibilites for this leadership role will include:

• Supplier Relationship Management: Build, maintain, and optimise strong partnerships with key drinks suppliers across contact matrix. Ensure Stonegate secures favourable terms, pricing, and investment that support both short- and long-term goals.
• Strategic planning and negotiation: Support the buying team in negotiating with suppliers to ensure market-leading investments that align with Stonegate's objectives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams including marketing, finance, and operations to ensure a smooth and effective execution of procurement strategies across the business.
• Range & Format Strategy: Develop and execute a product strategy that ensures we have the right drinks range in the right formats across all our pubs, bars and venues, enhancing customer choice and driving profitability.
• Market Activation & Media Plans: Collaborate with suppliers to ensure industry-leading activation plans and media strategies that align with Stonegate's marketing team initiatives.
• Contract Compliance & Execution: Work with teams to ensure supplier agreements are executed, with a focus on compliance to contract terms and maximising operational efficiency.
• Financial Grip & P&L management: a firm grip on financials, whilst ensure that the drinks procurement strategy is sustainable and delivers maximum value to the business.
• Leadership & Team Development: as a key leader within the business, driving team performance, developing talent, and fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture
You'll need to have: Extensive experience in drinks procurement or supplier side in hospitality, or FMCG sectors. Commercially driven and results focused. Positive mindset and appetite to drive change in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills. Proven track record of successful strong supplier partnerships, including securing investment and achieving cost optimisations through tender process. Strong financial acumen with the ability to manage budgets, forecast trends, and analyse complex data to inform decisions. Understanding of product strategy, including range optimisation and customer preferences. Extensive experience of working cross-functionally with marketing, finance, and operations teams. Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and manage teams and collaborate effectively at all levels of the business. Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

What's in it for you?
• 25 days annual leave
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme
• Pension
• Vitality Healthcare
• Opt in dental insurance programme
• Annual bonus scheme
• The Stonegate discount card offering discounts across our managed estate
• Online benefits portal offering discounts across the High Street and other retailers
At Stonegate Group, we're proud to be the biggest operator of pubs, bars, and late-night venues in the United Kingdom. Our leading brands are diverse and well-known, including names like Slug & Lettuce, Be At One and Popworld.