At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform procurement strategies to drive operational excellence and sustainability.
- Company: Affinity Water, a leader in sustainable water management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, generous leave, and wellness support.
- Other info: Join a diverse and inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in procurement leadership and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
At Affinity Water, procurement is more than purchasing; it is a strategic driver of operational excellence, sustainability, resilience, and long-term value. We are looking for an exceptional Head of Procurement & Commercial to lead and transform our Procurement & Commercial function at a pivotal time for the business. This is a high-impact leadership role with significant visibility across the organisation, working closely with the CFO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board-level stakeholders to shape strategy, influence decision-making, and deliver measurable business outcomes.
The Role:
As Head of Procurement & Commercial, you will lead the development and execution of a forward-thinking procurement and contract management strategy that supports Affinity Water's operational and financial ambitions. You will champion best-in-class procurement practices, strengthen supplier relationships, and ensure the organisation achieves maximum value from its supply chain while maintaining compliance with regulatory and sustainability requirements. This role combines strategic leadership with operational delivery, ideal for someone who thrives on driving transformation, influencing senior stakeholders, and leading high-performing teams.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and deliver Affinity Water's Procurement & Commercial Strategy in partnership with the CFO and Executive Leadership Team; align procurement activity to wider business goals, operational priorities, and financial targets; lead procurement transformation initiatives that improve efficiency, resilience, and value creation.
- Stakeholder & Supplier Management: Build trusted relationships across the business, including Executive and Board-level stakeholders; act as the organisation's procurement ambassador, promoting commercial best practice and strategic supplier management; lead key supplier negotiations and manage strategically significant commercial relationships.
- Commercial & Financial Performance: Own procurement savings targets and deliver measurable commercial benefits across the organisation; manage the Procurement & Commercial team budget and oversee category strategies and savings plans; drive robust spend analysis, forecasting, reporting, and financial insight to support business planning.
- Operational Excellence & Governance: Ensure procurement activity complies with all relevant legislation, including procurement regulations and sustainability obligations; identify and mitigate supply chain and sourcing risks; improve procurement processes and support efficient purchase-to-pay operations across the business; promote innovation and industry best practice to maximise value from the cost base.
- Leadership & Team Development: Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing Procurement & Commercial team; set clear objectives, monitor performance, and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
What We’re Looking For
- Significant experience leading procurement and commercial functions within a complex organisation.
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation expertise.
- Experience developing procurement strategies that deliver measurable savings and operational improvements.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at Executive and Board level.
- Strong knowledge of procurement legislation, governance, and supplier relationship management.
- A collaborative leadership style with experience developing high-performing teams.
- Passion for sustainability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary dependent on skills and experience.
- Car Allowance which is an additional £5,530 on top of your base salary.
- Entry into the Senior Leader Bonus scheme.
- Annual leave from 26 days rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.
- A generous 'double match pension scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%).
- We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave.
- Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best.
- Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health.
- Discounts at a Range of Retail Outlets and on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme.
- Up to 4 Affinity days a year to volunteer in the community.
- x7 Life Assurance.
As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to offering interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria and opt in on the application form. Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.
Head of Procurement and Commercial in Hatfield employer: Affinity Water Limited
Affinity Water is an exceptional employer that prioritises strategic leadership and operational excellence within a collaborative and inclusive work culture. As the Head of Procurement and Commercial, you will benefit from a competitive salary, generous leave policies, and a commitment to employee wellbeing and development, all while playing a pivotal role in driving sustainability and innovation in the water sector. With a focus on fostering high-performing teams and building trusted relationships across the organisation, Affinity Water offers a unique opportunity for meaningful impact and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement and Commercial in Hatfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Affinity Water’s values and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around sustainability and operational excellence. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your strategic leadership skills and how you’ve driven transformation in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Affinity Water team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Procurement and Commercial in Hatfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in procurement and commercial functions. We want to see how your skills align with our strategic goals at Affinity Water.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a high-impact leadership role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire teams. Share examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and driven transformation in previous roles.
Highlight Stakeholder Management Experience:We’re looking for someone who can influence at the Executive and Board level. Include specific instances where you’ve built trusted relationships and successfully managed key supplier negotiations.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Affinity Water.
How to prepare for a job interview at Affinity Water Limited
✨Know Your Procurement Strategies
Before the interview, brush up on the latest procurement strategies and best practices. Be ready to discuss how you can align these with Affinity Water's operational and financial ambitions. Showing that you understand their specific needs will set you apart.
✨Build Relationships in Mind
Think about how you would build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels. Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced senior leaders in the past. This role is all about collaboration, so demonstrating your relationship-building skills is key.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience with negotiations and delivering measurable savings. Have specific examples ready that highlight your commercial acumen and how it has positively impacted previous organisations. This will show you’re the right fit for driving transformation.
✨Emphasise Sustainability and Innovation
Affinity Water values sustainability, so come equipped with ideas on how to promote innovative procurement practices. Discuss how you’ve previously integrated sustainability into procurement processes and how you plan to do the same in this role.
