Thrive Spotlight: Manal Khan – Senior Procurement Manager

Welcome back to another installment of our “Thrive Spotlight” blog series.

Our featured employee is Manal Khan. As Senior Procurement Manager, she wears multiple hats to keep operations running smoothly. While she’s based in Luton, she spends time at Thrive’s London office, too. Manal ensures that all orders are placed in a timely manner and works closely with distributors and suppliers to meet service level agreements (SLAs). A key part of her responsibility is to help drive revenue for the business through effective procurement and supplier management.

Manal’s team also handles contract renewals—both internal and customer-owned—ensuring continuity and minimal disruption. It’s a fast-paced environment that requires attention to detail, strong coordination, and the ability to adapt quickly, all of which she enjoys!

The proud mother to a daughter who keeps her on her toes, Manal is very passionate about self-development and continuous improvement, both for herself and others. In particular, she cares deeply about helping youth understand the important difference between needs and desires when it comes to spending and financial decisions.

Thriving on energy and adventure—Manal loves activities that bring an adrenaline rush, like ziplining, hiking, skydiving, and high ropes courses. She has travelled quite a bit and continues to explore new places, embracing the experiences that come with it. She is a social person who enjoys spending time with others—and most importantly, she’s a big fan of Nutella!

Hi Manal!  Can you tell us about your background and how you came to Thrive?

Raised in a Middle Eastern country with an Asian heritage and truly a citizen of the world, I’ve moved several times throughout my life. People often ask me where I’m from, but the UK is where I came to study and ultimately made my home.

After graduating, I began my career in sales, procurement, and banking—roles that provided a strong foundation in commercial operations. In 2016, I relocated to Luton and joined Thrive (formerly ONI) as a Pricing Assistant. This opportunity introduced me to the dynamic world of Cisco, distributor networks, and supplier management.

Over nearly a decade at Thrive, I’ve progressed from Coordinator to Team Leader, and now serve as Senior Procurement Manager, where I manage the full procurement cycle end to end. From supplier selection and negotiation to contract management, purchasing, and delivery, I oversee all aspects to ensure operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This comprehensive experience has strengthened my expertise in purchasing, procurement strategy, and supplier relationship management.

I thrive on continuous learning and welcome new challenges that drive both personal growth and organisational success.

Where did you go to school or get training?

I completed my schooling in a small country called Kuwait, located in the Middle East. Later, I moved to London for university, where I pursued my higher education. I also studied for my MCIPS qualification independently, complementing it with hands-on, on-the-job training that helped me apply my learning in real-world scenarios.

What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?

Some of the things I value most are the people and culture at Thrive. We work collaboratively, support one another, and share a strong sense of teamwork. Of course, there are days when things don’t go as planned—but in those moments, we come together, share ideas, and focus on finding solutions. It’s this collaborative spirit that makes the challenges manageable and the wins even more rewarding.

Are there any recent exciting projects at Thrive you can tell us about?

Global transactions are an exciting and ongoing area of focus. We’re working closely with multiple teams to deliver projects across international regions. Whether it’s a client based in the US or setting up operations in the UK or APAC, the process is made possible through strong coordination and the global presence of Thrive.

These projects require close collaboration across departments—from procurement and purchasing to finance and project delivery. It’s a complex process, but one that showcases the strength of teamwork and the value of having a truly connected global operation.

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