At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform procurement strategies for operational excellence and sustainability.
- Company: Affinity Water, a leader in sustainable water management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, generous leave, and family benefits.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on procurement while driving innovation and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Significant 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
- 7 Life Assurance
Disability Confident: 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.
You can find out what it’s like to work at Affinity Water through our career site here where our colleagues share their career development stories and you can get a feel for our company culture.
Head of Procurement and Commercial in Hatfield employer: Affinity Water
Affinity Water is an exceptional employer that prioritises strategic leadership and operational excellence within a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer competitive salaries, generous benefits, and opportunities for professional development, all while championing sustainability and community engagement. Join us in making a meaningful impact as we transform our Procurement & Commercial function at this pivotal time for the business.
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 procurement and commercial space. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers and showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Affinity Water's values and recent projects. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around sustainability and operational excellence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've led teams and driven transformation in previous roles. Use specific examples that demonstrate your impact on procurement strategies and stakeholder management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. 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 build trusted relationships with Executive and Board-level stakeholders. Include specific instances where you’ve influenced decision-making or managed key supplier negotiations.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our careers site! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into the process smoothly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Affinity Water
✨Know Your Procurement Strategies
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest procurement strategies and best practices. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and execute a forward-thinking procurement strategy that aligns with Affinity Water’s operational and financial ambitions.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built trusted relationships with senior stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your ability to influence decision-making at the Executive and Board level, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing procurement savings targets and delivering measurable commercial benefits. Use specific examples to illustrate how you’ve driven efficiency and value creation in past roles.
✨Emphasise Leadership and Team Development
Talk about your leadership style and how you inspire high-performing teams. Share your approach to setting clear objectives and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within your team.
