At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform procurement operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance.
- Company: Join Tokio Marine HCC, a leading global specialty insurer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and direct access to senior leadership.
- Why this job: Shape the future of procurement with innovative strategies and technology.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in procurement operations and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Reporting to: Head of Procurement and Workplace Management
Direct Reports: 4 (2 in London and 2 in Bridgend)
Position Type: 12 month FTC, full-time - London based with 3 days per week onsite
Overview
Why Tokio Marine HCC? Standing still is not an option in the current world of Insurance. TMHCC is one of the world's leading Specialty Insurers. With deep expertise in our chosen lines of business, our unparalleled track record and a solid balance sheet, TMHCC evaluates and manages risk like no one else in the industry. Looking beyond profit, empowering our people and delivering on our commitments are at the core of our customer values, along with a desire to grow and provide creative and innovative solutions to our clients.
About Operations
Operations sits at the heart of TMHCC, we ensure the smooth running of all business processes - from policy administration and claims handling to data, technology, and delivery. We focus on driving efficiency which enables our teams across the business to deliver exceptional results every day. Our value statement: Ops makes it happen. Operations is made up of 7 functions, this role sits within: Procurement and Workplace Management. From identifying the scope of the goods and services required to deliver business outcomes, to negotiating pricing and managing the full lifecycle of contracts and suppliers. Procurement focuses on delivering Value For Money for the organisation. We leverage market intelligence and navigate the regulatory landscape to achieve commercial outcomes and reduce risk and complexity.
Job Purpose
The Head of Procurement Operations is a key role within the Procurement function, driving transformation and enabling scalable, high-performing procurement services. The position leads Procurement Operations; the high performing, engine room responsible for intake and orchestrating all core procurement operational processes. The role manages risk, legal, and analytics functions, ensuring strategic alignment, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance across the full supplier lifecycle. The role requires great leadership, exceptional process management, tight quality control, and a commitment to continuously improving workflow efficiency. Managing a team of 4, this role ensures that all activities provide outstanding customer service to internal stakeholders and suppliers alike. The team is growing and taken on additional responsibility for supporting Enterprise wide IT agreements through executing a Global Procurement service to deliver consistent, stable and high-quality IT services and cost optimization for the organisation across the globe. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build and shape a growing Procurement function with great access to the senior leadership in the organisation. You will shape how the operation runs and grows, ensuring greater use of technology and AI in a maturing function.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic & Operating Model Leadership
- Deliver Procurement Strategy, Transformation Roadmap and Target Operating Model for TMHCC International
- Champion forward-looking procurement strategies, while maintaining regulatory compliance
- Drive service excellence and customer experience to deliver a seamless, supportive, and professional service for stakeholders and suppliers.
- Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach, develop and manage a cross-functional team across legal, risk, operations, and analytics professionals building high-performing team that meets service and quality standards
- Foster a high-performance culture promoting accountability and innovation.
- Governance, Compliance & Risk
- Set, maintain, and evolve procurement policies, controls, and audit-ready documentation
- Maintain and improve operational processes and controls to ensure efficiency, scalability, and reduction of errors and cycle times
- Act as the central escalation point for operational issues to remove blockers quickly and maintain momentum across all workflows
- Monitor performance, metrics, and throughput to provide visibility of operational health and drive continuous improvement
- Collaborate with Procurement colleagues, and all 2nd line functions to ensure aligned controls, smooth handovers, and strong organisational integration
- Establish and lead governance forums, KPIs, and escalation processes
- Establish and oversee supplier due diligence, onboarding, and risk monitoring
- Process, Reporting, Technology & Analytics Enablement
- Design and implement scalable end-to-end processes.
- Deliver scalable procurement intake and orchestration
- Own the end-to-end procurement technology roadmap and digitization
- Establish procurement data governance and analytics frameworks
- Establish reporting requirements and delivery of timely reporting and associated insights.
- Stakeholder & Executive Engagement
- Support Head of Procurement in executive preparations
- Own and execute procurement communication and engagement strategy
- Lead Quarterly Business Reviews and MI delivery.
Skills and Experience Specification
Essential:
- Proven success leading procurement Operations
- Exceptional planning, organisation, and prioritisation skills
- Strong project and programme delivery experience in complex regulatory environments
- Deep knowledge of Source-to-Pay technology, process design, controls, and stakeholder enablement
- ESG/sustainable procurement awareness embedded into supplier management/selection expectations
- Customer service mindset with a professional, solutions-focused approach.
- Strong organisation and prioritisation to manage multiple workflows
- Attention to detail across all operational processes and controls
- Clear and effective communication with stakeholders and suppliers
- Analytical and problem-solving skills to assess issues and risks
- People management and coaching to support a small team
- Process improvement skills to enhance efficiency and consistency
- Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
Desirable:
- Master's degree (Business/Supply Chain/Finance/Engineering or similar), coupled with transformation experience
- Professional certification desirable (e.g., CIPS/CPSM/CPIM), and PM credentials a plus.
Head of Procurement Operations (12 month FTC) employer: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
At Tokio Marine HCC, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of empowerment and innovation. Our London-based team enjoys a collaborative work environment with a strong focus on professional development, offering opportunities to shape the future of procurement operations while leveraging cutting-edge technology. With a commitment to delivering value and excellence, we ensure our employees are supported in their growth and success within a dynamic and rewarding industry.
Contact Details:
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement Operations (12 month FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them 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 the company and its procurement strategies. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around driving efficiency and managing supplier relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When chatting with potential employers, highlight your experience in managing teams and driving transformation in procurement operations. They’ll want to see how you can lead their team to success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Procurement Operations (12 month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Head of Procurement Operations role. Highlight your experience in procurement, leadership, and process management. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about procurement and how you can drive transformation at TMHCC. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your impact in previous roles, especially in procurement operations and team leadership.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially around Source-to-Pay technology and processes. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led procurement operations in the past and how you can drive transformation in this role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Procurement Operations, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've developed and managed teams before. Highlight your ability to foster a high-performance culture and how you’ve promoted accountability and innovation in your previous roles.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage risk. Think of specific situations where you've had to navigate complex regulatory environments or resolve operational issues quickly. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your customer service mindset by discussing how you've effectively communicated with stakeholders and suppliers in the past. Be prepared to talk about your strategies for ensuring seamless service delivery and how you’ve handled feedback or escalations.
