At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement transformation and redefine processes for a leading Facilities Management Services Provider.
- Company: Join a top Facilities Management Services Provider with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel expenses covered, and a chance to shape the future of procurement.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming procurement and supporting organisational growth.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in procurement, CIPS qualified, and experience in complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
My client, a leading Facilities Management Services Provider, is seeking to hire an interim Director of Procurement. As part of an ongoing transformation programme, our client is wishing to appoint an experienced Director of Procurement to lead the evolution of the procurement function, redefining its role, structure, processes and value proposition to the wider business. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring a procurement professional who combines strategic thinking with operational delivery. The successful candidate will lead the team through a period of significant change, embedding new ways of working, supporting a Source-to-Pay (S2P) transformation programme and creating a best-in-class procurement function capable of supporting the organisation's future growth ambitions. This will be a 12-month FTC interim contract role. The client has offices in Hertfordshire, Birmingham and Cambridge. Expenses to be paid for overnight travel and visits to sites.
Purpose of the Role
The Director of Procurement will provide leadership, direction and transformation support to the existing procurement team during a period of significant organisational and functional change. The role will focus on redefining procurement's role within the business, establishing robust governance and compliance frameworks, improving supplier management processes and creating a frictionless procurement environment that enables operational teams to access approved suppliers, agreed commercials and established rates without unnecessary procurement intervention. The successful individual will work closely with senior stakeholders, operational leaders and transformation partners to develop a modern, scalable procurement function aligned to the future needs of the business.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead and support the Procurement team through a significant period of transformation and organisational change.
- Establish and maintain robust onboarding, compliance and governance processes for all third parties supplying goods and services.
- Take ownership of supplier onboarding, supplier assurance and ongoing compliance management activities.
- Oversee the management and integrity of all supplier master data across multiple business systems, implementing appropriate controls and governance frameworks.
- Design, implement and maintain a frictionless supplier marketplace, enabling operational teams to manage purchase order activity through approved suppliers and pre-agreed commercial arrangements.
- Develop supplier review, audit and performance management processes that ensure compliance, value and operational effectiveness.
- Define and implement sourcing strategies and processes that anticipate operational requirements and deliver timely procurement support.
- Create and document procurement policies, procedures and governance frameworks that reflect best practice and support business objectives.
- Provide strategic procurement business partnering across multiple divisions and operational functions.
- Support the ongoing Source-to-Pay (S2P) transformation programme, ensuring procurement processes align with future-state operating models.
- Redefine role profiles, responsibilities and performance objectives across the Procurement team to align with the future direction of the function.
- Develop capability, engagement and professional development plans for team members.
- Drive continuous improvement, process optimisation and enhanced stakeholder experience throughout the procurement lifecycle.
Key Objectives
- Deliver a controlled and compliant supplier onboarding process across the business.
- Ensure effective management and governance of supplier master data across all relevant systems.
- Design and document procurement processes that support the objectives identified within the wider S2P transformation programme.
- Establish procurement as a trusted strategic partner to operational and commercial stakeholders.
- Develop a high-performing procurement team with clear accountability, development pathways and measurable objectives.
- Support the successful implementation of procurement transformation initiatives and associated technology solutions.
- Create a scalable procurement operating model capable of supporting future growth and operational excellence.
Candidate Profile
We are seeking a proven procurement leader with significant experience operating within complex, multi-site, service-led environments. Whilst experience within Facilities Management would be highly advantageous, we are equally interested in applications from individuals who have operated within related sectors, including: Property Services; Building Services; Workplace Services; Environmental Services; Infrastructure Maintenance; Civil Engineering; Utilities; Highways Maintenance; Rail Infrastructure; Construction Services; Industrial Services and Multi-Site Outsourced Services. Candidates from organisations operating large, dispersed workforces, extensive subcontractor networks and health & safety critical environments are particularly encouraged to apply.
Qualifications & Experience
- CIPS qualified, or nearing completion of a recognised CIPS qualification.
- Minimum of 10 years' procurement and supply chain experience.
- Proven experience leading procurement functions through periods of transformation and organisational change.
- Experience supporting or leading ERP implementation projects.
- Strong understanding of supplier master data management, governance and associated controls.
- Demonstrable experience implementing procurement processes, policies and operating models.
- Experience working within environments where health, safety and compliance are integral to operational delivery.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at Executive, Board and operational levels.
- Experience managing and developing procurement teams.
Personal Qualities
- Calm, credible and highly professional leadership style.
- Assertive and commercially astute whilst maintaining strong collaborative relationships.
- Able to influence a broad range of stakeholders, personalities and organisational levels.
- Adaptable, pragmatic and capable of operating effectively within changing environments.
- Strong communicator with the ability to build trust and credibility quickly.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into practical execution.
- Resilient, hands-on and delivery focused.
Head of Procurement in Stockport employer: Communicate Recruitment Solutions
As a leading Facilities Management Services Provider, our company offers an exceptional work environment that fosters innovation and transformation. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture that prioritises professional development and continuous improvement, alongside competitive remuneration and support for travel expenses. With offices in Hertfordshire, Birmingham, and Cambridge, we provide a dynamic setting for procurement professionals to thrive and make a meaningful impact on the organisation's growth journey.
Contact Details:
Communicate Recruitment Solutions Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement in Stockport
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Procurement in Stockport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Communicate Recruitment Solutions that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Communicate Recruitment Solutions can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Communicate Recruitment Solutions that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Communicate Recruitment Solutions know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Communicate Recruitment Solutions
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
