Head of Procurement in Watford

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.