Head of Procurement - Semi Chamber Solutions Division (VSC)
Supply Chain/Logistics Edwards UK - United Kingdom Burgess Hill UK
As Head of Procurement, you will be responsible for defining and executing procurement strategies across the division, ensuring procurement supports business growth, profitability, customer service objectives, and the VSC 2030 vision.
You will lead strategic supplier partnerships, oversee major commercial negotiations, strengthen procurement governance, and build a high-performing procurement organisation capable of supporting an increasingly dynamic global business environment.
Responsibilities
Strategic Procurement Leadership
- Develop and execute procurement strategies aligned to business objectives.
- Lead category management across key spend areas and critical commodities.
- Drive supplier segmentation, strategic supplier management, and global sourcing initiatives.
- Identify market trends, emerging risks, and opportunities to strengthen competitiveness.
Commercial Performance
- Own divisional procurement savings targets and value creation initiatives.
- Lead strategic supplier negotiations and long-term agreements.
- Drive Purchase Price Variance (PPV) improvements and total cost of ownership reductions.
- Utilise benchmarking and should-cost modelling to maximise commercial performance.
- Strengthen supplier performance across quality, delivery, lead times, and responsiveness.
- Lead supplier development and capacity planning initiatives.
- Drive supply continuity planning and risk mitigation strategies.
- Build supply resilience through dual sourcing and proactive risk management.
Procurement Transformation
- Champion procurement excellence through governance, standardisation, and best practice.
- Enhance procurement analytics, digitalisation, and performance reporting.
- Support integrated business planning and wider supply chain transformation programmes.
- Drive continuous improvement across procurement processes and capabilities.
- Lead, coach, and develop the procurement organisation.
- Build succession pipelines and future capability.
- Foster collaboration across procurement, planning, operations, engineering, and finance.
- Create a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Skills and Experience
We're seeking an experienced procurement leader who combines strategic thinking with strong commercial acumen and a proven ability to deliver results in complex manufacturing environments.
You'll bring:
- Degree qualification in Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Business or a related discipline or equivalent.
- Significant procurement leadership experience within manufacturing or industrial sectors.
- Proven success in strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier negotiations.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen.
- Experience leading procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Leadership experience within global or multinational organisations.
Ideally, you'll also have:
- CIPS or equivalent professional qualification.
- Experience within semiconductor, vacuum technology, industrial equipment, or engineered products industries.
- Exposure to IBP, ERP systems, and digital procurement tools.
In return, we offer
- Culture of trust and accountability
- Lifelong learning and career growth
- Innovation powered by people
- Comprehensive compensation and benefits
- Health and well-being
Job location
This role is based in the UK. While we support flexible ways of working, the successful candidate must be able to regularly attend our Burgess Hill site to collaborate with key stakeholders and support business priorities
Your role
As Head of Procurement, you will be responsible for defining and executing procurement strategies across the division, ensuring procurement supports business growth, profitability, customer service objectives, and the VSC 2030 vision.
You will lead strategic supplier partnerships, oversee major commercial negotiations, strengthen procurement governance, and build a high-performing procurement organisation capable of supporting an increasingly dynamic global business environment.
Responsibilities
Strategic Procurement Leadership
- Develop and execute procurement strategies aligned to business objectives.
- Lead category management across key spend areas and critical commodities.
- Drive supplier segmentation, strategic supplier management, and global sourcing initiatives.
- Identify market trends, emerging risks, and opportunities to strengthen competitiveness.
Commercial Performance
- Own divisional procurement savings targets and value creation initiatives.
- Lead strategic supplier negotiations and long-term agreements.
- Drive Purchase Price Variance (PPV) improvements and total cost of ownership reductions.
- Utilise benchmarking and should-cost modelling to maximise commercial performance.
Supplier Performance & Risk Management
- Strengthen supplier performance across quality, delivery, lead times, and responsiveness.
- Lead supplier development and capacity planning initiatives.
- Drive supply continuity planning and risk mitigation strategies.
- Build supply resilience through dual sourcing and proactive risk management.
Procurement Transformation
- Champion procurement excellence through governance, standardisation, and best practice.
- Enhance procurement analytics, digitalisation, and performance reporting.
- Support integrated business planning and wider supply chain transformation programmes.
- Drive continuous improvement across procurement processes and capabilities.
People & Leadership
- Lead, coach, and develop the procurement organisation.
- Build succession pipelines and future capability.
- Foster collaboration across procurement, planning, operations, engineering, and finance.
- Create a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Skills and Experience
We're seeking an experienced procurement leader who combines strategic thinking with strong commercial acumen and a proven ability to deliver results in complex manufacturing environments.
You'll bring:
- Degree qualification in Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Business or a related discipline or equivalent.
- Significant procurement leadership experience within manufacturing or industrial sectors.
- Proven success in strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier negotiations.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen.
- Experience leading procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Leadership experience within global or multinational organisations.
Ideally, you'll also have:
- CIPS or equivalent professional qualification.
- Experience within semiconductor, vacuum technology, industrial equipment, or engineered products industries.
- Exposure to IBP, ERP systems, and digital procurement tools.
- Experience managing global sourcing networks.
In return, we offer
- Culture of trust and accountability
- Lifelong learning and career growth
- Innovation powered by people
- Comprehensive compensation and benefits
- Health and well-being
Job location
This role is based in the UK. While we support flexible ways of working, the successful candidate must be able to regularly attend our Burgess Hill site to collaborate with key stakeholders and support business priorities
Contact information
Talent Acquisition Team: Melanie Maria Guttridge
Edwards is a leader in the vacuum and abatement markets. The brand’s products are essential for industries such as semiconductor, power generation, chemical and food processing. Edwards believes in working with customers to set new standards and creating environments where innovation thrives. This trailblazer prides itself on making a difference in areas that are intrinsic to people’s everyday lives – from the medical care they receive to the coffee they drink. Wherever there is vacuum, Edwards can also be found, leading the way. Edwards is a brand within Atlas Copco Group.
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Head of Procurement - Semi Chamber Solutions Division (VSC) employer: Atlas Copco Airpower N.V.
Atlas Copco Airpower N.V. is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises trust and professional growth for its employees in Thirsk. With comprehensive benefits and opportunities for skill enhancement, the company fosters a rewarding environment for Field Service Engineers to thrive while delivering exceptional service in the air compressor industry.