Head of Procurement

Full time, permanent on site in Chelmsford

Expected salary range between £80-110K

Discretionary bonus, car allowance, plus excellent benefits

Due to industry, applicants must be eligible for high level security clearance

Job Description

Our client is a global leader in specialised components and subsystems for innovative solutions in medical, science, aerospace, defence and industrial applications.

They are now looking for a transformational leader ready to make a real impact with their next career move.

Role

The Head of Procurement will be responsible for all direct procurement all indirect procurement for the Chelmsford site. This role will develop and implement procurement strategies, manage supplier relationships, and drive best practices to deliver value, efficiency, and resilience across the supply chain. The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organisation.

Main Accountabilities

• Lead all procurement activities ensuring security of supply, cost competitiveness, and supplier performance.
• Oversee all indirect procurement for the Chelmsford site, including facilities, services, and capital expenditure.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with business objectives and growth plans.
• Implement best practices in procurement and supplier management to support operational objectives.
• Analyse direct and indirect procurement spend; develop and execute sourcing and negotiation strategies to achieve savings targets.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, negotiating contracts and managing supplier performance with a focus on total cost of ownership, quality, service, delivery, compliance, and innovation.
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, systems, and best practices.
• Collaborate closely with Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, and Finance to ensure integrated business planning and effective information flow.
• Provide subject matter expertise on global procurement strategies and tactics.
• Develop and manage procurement metrics and KPIs; provide timely and accurate reporting, analysis, and insights to support business decision-making.
• Lead, develop, and inspire the procurement team, fostering a culture of high performance and professional growth.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, legal requirements, and ethical standards in all procurement activities.
• Support and lead key procurement and supply chain infrastructure projects as required.
• Maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and act as a liaison between the procurement function and other business units.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Significant experience in procurement leadership roles, ideally within manufacturing or technology sectors.
• Proven track record in both direct and indirect procurement, including contract negotiation and supplier management.
• Experience in driving efficiencies, cost savings, and process improvements across procurement functions.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking abilities and experience in developing and executing procurement strategies.
• Strong commercial acumen, contact negotiation and customer focus.
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to bring teams on a change journey.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and persuade at all levels.
• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (Operations, Engineering, Business Administration, or similar).
• Experience with ERP systems (ideally SAP S4 Hana).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI) and ERP systems.
• Ability to work at pace under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Experience in high mix low volume manufacturing focused on highly engineered, complex products
• Knowledge of S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) and integrated business planning processes.
• Willingness to travel as required (up to 20%).

Salary : £80-110K

Location :Chelmsford

Full time, perm

Type : procurement