Head of Procurement

Starting salary £80,000 - £85,000 per annum

About the role

It’s delivering excellence with purpose. And it’s leading a team at the heart of a world-famous institution. This is what makes working for the Royal Household exceptional.

As Head of Procurement, you will lead the transformation of our procurement function. This includes embedding a new target operating model, developing a forward-looking procurement strategy, and updating our policies and ways of working to ensure sustainability and social value are at the core of everything we do. It’s a rare opportunity to make a significant and lasting impact — and there couldn’t be a more exciting time to join the team.

The diversity of our operations will present you with fascinating and often unique challenges. From hospitality and catering to property and facilities management, IT systems, and transportation, you’ll oversee the delivery of sustainable, best-practice procurement solutions. Your leadership will ensure value for money and compliance with the Procurement Act, while supporting the varied and high-profile work of the Royal Household.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of a new Procurement Strategy and Target Operating Model, with a focus on embedding category management and driving value, compliance and sustainability.
• Provide strategic direction across a broad procurement portfolio, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, manage and mentor a high-performing team, building capability through training, guidance, and knowledge sharing.
• Champion compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and other relevant frameworks, while continuously improving governance, reporting, and risk management processes.
• Oversee procurement pipelines across departments, ensuring visibility of future activity and maintaining accurate systems, records, and dashboards.
• Build strong internal and external relationships, engage suppliers through a new charter, and lead efforts to improve supplier performance and assurance.
• Drive innovation through technology, digital tools, and process improvements to enhance procurement delivery across the Royal Household.

About you

• MCIPS-qualified – Level 6 (or equivalent) with a strong track record of strategic procurement leadership in complex environments.
• Experience of embedding sustainability and social value into Procurement processes, including supplier qualification and assurance.
• Experienced in delivering change programmes, embedding category management, and aligning procurement to organisational objectives.
• Skilled in managing and developing high-performing teams, with a collaborative and empowering leadership style.
• Strong knowledge of procurement legislation, governance and risk management, with experience in both public and private sector settings.
• Thorough knowledge of Procurement Act 2023 and associated regulations.
• Commercially minded and data-driven, with a keen eye for detail and ability to lead high-value, high-impact procurement activity.
• A confident communicator and influencer, able to build trust and credibility with stakeholders at all levels.
• Committed to responsible, sustainable procurement and continuous improvement across people, processes and outcomes.

Benefits

We know that to deliver our best work; we need to feel at our best. That’s why at the Royal Household we offer a generous benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and life priorities.

• Enjoy 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days pro rata (plus bank holidays) dependent on the length of time you have worked for us.
• Flexible and hybrid working varies across different roles, and we’ll discuss the options available to you that will suit both your job requirements and individual preferences.
• Our excellent non-contributory pension plan (we’ll contribute 15% and you can contribute more if you wish) is highly valued by our employees, as is complimentary lunch on-site to keep you fuelled throughout the day.
• We also offer a range of leave options to support your life priorities, such as parental pay and leave and volunteering days, as well as benefits to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Other perks include 20% off at our Royal Collection Trust Shops and complimentary admission tickets across all our locations, along with many more exclusive employee discounts.

If you would like a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Adrian Watts from our recruitment partners on royalhousehold@mlcpartners.co.uk. Please send your CV and personal statement, stating your motivations to apply and then describing how you meet the role specific requirements given your skills and experience.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Adrian Watts on 0781 629 0865.

Vacancy Closing Date: 8th June (23:55)