Head of Procurement - Non-Stock/Goods Not for Resale

Overview

Home. There's no place like it.

And there's no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home. At Dunelm, that's what we do. We're the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And the caring and supportive culture we've created makes this a place you'll feel right at home too.

The Non-Stock Procurement function plays a central role in supporting Dunelm to achieve strong commercial value, appropriate risk management and robust governance across third-party spend. The team oversees procurement activity outside of resale goods, partnering closely with the business to shape how non-stock spend is planned, challenged and managed. Remit includes procurement from professional services, technology, marketing, logistics, and property suppliers, and indirect operational spend. Working closely with Finance, Legal and senior business stakeholders, the team supports strategic decision-making and delivers strong commercial outcomes. As the function continues to mature, there is a clear expectation that Non-Stock Procurement will engage earlier in planning cycles and strengthen commercial insight to deliver improved cost and value outcomes for the business.

The Head of Non-Stock Procurement sits at the centre of Dunelm's ongoing focus on cost discipline and is accountable for the governance, optimisation and performance uplift of c.£300m+ of annual non-stock spend, operating as the single senior point of accountability across the enterprise. Therefore, the role comes with a clear mandate to materially increase the operational effectiveness, pace, and commercial impact of the Non-Stock Procurement function, evolving it from a predominantly reactive model to a more proactive, insight-led and value-driving capability.

The role partners closely with senior leaders to enable investment decisions, shape demand earlier in the lifecycle, improve cost of ownership, and actively challenge demand and manage cost, whilst balancing commercial opportunity with control and risk management. It also plays a key role in embedding clear procurement processes (working closely with the Head of Legal to ensure alignment with legal reviews and processes) and developing a high-performing Procurement team. This role needs to operate effectively in a fast-moving, margin-sensitive retail environment where pace, pragmatism and commercial judgement are critical.

What you'll be doing

Strategy & Governance

• Lead the end-to-end non-stock procurement strategy, ensuring alignment with Dunelm's commercial priorities and financial plans
• Own and evolve procurement governance frameworks, including approval routes, policies, and controls for non-stock spend
  Commercial Leadership
• Act as a visible role model for commercial discipline across the business, raising the baseline capability of senior stakeholders in demand management, supplier risk and value realisation
• Act as a senior commercial partner to Exec and senior stakeholders on major investments, supplier contracts, and business cases
• Oversee sourcing and negotiation for key non-stock categories, ensuring value for money and risk mitigation
• Drive earlier and more proactive procurement involvement in business planning and investment cycles, reducing late-stage interventions and avoidable cost
• Demonstrate and evidence material cost reduction, cost avoidance, cost efficiency and TCO improvement, not just compliance or process adherence
• Provide clear insight and challenge on demand, cost drivers, and supplier performance across the business
• Support transformation initiatives and major programmes by providing strong procurement leadership and commercial input
• Use external market insight, supplier intelligence and benchmarking to inform sourcing strategies and challenge internal assumptions
  Stakeholder Partnering
• Partner with Finance, Legal and business leaders to ensure appropriate commercial protections and robust control across non-stock spend
• Manage senior stakeholder communication on the procurement pipeline and project progress, with early visibility of risks and issues
• Ensure that material contracts requiring Board approval are presentation ready
  Team & Capability
• Lead, develop and coach the Non-Stock Procurement team, setting clear objectives and building capability
• Lead the ongoing maturity and evolution of Dunelm's non-stock procurement capability towards a best-in-class function
• Define and deliver a multi-year roadmap to materially improve visibility, control and Value for Money of non-stock spend, using data, tooling and decision frameworks
  Risk & ESG
• Ensure non-stock procurement activity supports Dunelm's ESG commitments, including ethical sourcing, modern slavery compliance and responsible supplier practices.

What we'll look for in you

Essential Skills

• Proven experience leading a step-change improvement in procurement performance, cost impact or commercial maturity
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing complex indirect spend
• Proven senior stakeholder management skills, including influencing at Exec level
• Deep understanding of procurement governance, contract management and risk management
• Ability to balance pace, pragmatism and control in a fast-moving business environment
• Experience leading and developing teams in a matrixed organisation
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capability, with the ability to simplify complex issues

Desirable skills

• Experience in retail, multi-channel or large consumer-facing organisations
• Exposure to technology, digital, or transformation-related procurement
• Exposure to supply chain and logistics procurement
• Experience of procurement data, dashboards or spend analytics

Behaviours we look for:

• Commercially minded and outcome focused
• Confident challenger with strong judgment
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style
• Clear communicator who brings structure and clarity
• Calm and resilient when managing complexity and ambiguity

D&I statement


Dunelm is committed to becoming an inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, religion, disability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.




Our commitment to you


Accessibility allows everyone to have an equitable chance when applying and showing off their potential, which helps us create a more inclusive and diverse team that brings fresh ideas and perspectives.

Should you need it, we have an accessibility tool available in the top menu to support you when you're completing your application. If you require any other reasonable adjustments during the application and assessment process, reach out to your recruitment partner.

Work your way


We want our colleagues to feel at home wherever they work, so that they are comfortable and can be their best selves. In addition, we want everyone to feel connected to the business, our strategy and the teams they work with .

Where hybrid working is applicable, colleagues need to strike the right balance to fulfil both of these important factors. You will find the right mix of being at home, in the office & out in the business, bearing in mind business needs, job role and level of responsibility.

Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword here


From our Wellbeing Buddies and Mental Health First Aid training to our progressive parental leave, menopause policies and Colleague Support Fund, we're committed to supporting our colleagues in every area - and at every stage - of their lives. Through our partnership with the Retail Trust, everyone at Dunelm has free access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, as well as therapy and counselling, plus information, guidance and advice in all areas of financial, emotional and physical wellbeing.

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Taking opportunities


Meet Amanda, our Chief Stores and People Director, who shares how she feels empowered to take opportunities every day, why Dunelm is her happy place, and why it's a really exciting time to join us.

Of course, you should never judge a business by its tech stack. But take a peek at the range of technologies our engineers and developers are currently playing with.

At Dunelm, we love every aspect of the design process. We're continually researching new developments in packaging, materials and production methods, tapping into new data insights and keeping track of changing lifestyle trends. We're hugely collaborative in the way we work. Together, the teams here have a direct impact on our success, creating amazing products that drive sales and delight our customers, as well as providing direction for our wide and varied range of brands.

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Where you'll
be working


Here is where you'll be based, whether that's an office, or store or one of our sites.

Watermead Business Park, Pontylue Way, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE7 1AD