At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Procurement Performance team and drive digital procurement strategy.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in the aviation sector, shaping the future of procurement.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model and competitive daily rate of £500–£550.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of business transformation and automation in procurement.
- Qualifications: 10+ years of experience in SAP Ariba and procurement systems required.
- Other info: This role is outside IR35, offering flexibility and autonomy.
A leading organisation in the aviation sector is seeking an experienced Head of Procurement Systems & Performance to lead the Procurement Performance team. This hybrid role will drive the digital procurement strategy, lead the development of reporting and analytics, and manage the Procurement & Contracts systems landscape—primarily SAP Ariba and the wider Source-to-Pay (S2P) process. You will champion the business transformation, help to digitise the supply chain and procurement interactions, automating business processes and providing solutions to some of the most demanding business challenges. Working closely with the technology provider (SAP Ariba), and the wider technology team, you will guide solution thinking and create and prioritise backlogs based on value. As well as being a hands-on delivery person, you will also play a key role in leading your team. You’ll need to co-ordinate people so they’re all clear on the direction and roadmap, challenge them to make sure the adoption of the new technology remains on course.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Procurement Performance team, delivering end-to-end support to Procurement & Contracts (P&C) and business stakeholders.
- Own and drive the strategy, performance, and transformation of the P&C systems landscape, with a focus on SAP Ariba and S2P.
- Act as the SME for procurement systems, tools, and data analytics, working cross-functionally to improve automation, compliance, and value delivery.
- Manage the Ariba Business Network relationship and oversee the integration of digital buying channels.
- Define and track business benefits, KPIs, and outcomes aligned to transformation objectives.
- Develop and maintain strong internal relationships with senior stakeholders across all spend categories.
- Oversee the P&C BI and reporting strategy, ensuring outputs support informed, data-driven decision-making at the executive level.
- Maintain the preferred supplier list, material codes, system change logs, and support user adoption and training across platforms.
- Collaborate with Finance, Centre of Excellence, Supply Chain, and other technical teams to align systems, processes, and policy.
Key Skills & Experience
- Extensive experience in SAP Ariba, S2P processes, procurement systems, and performance management.
- Proven track record of leading high-performing teams and managing large-scale digital procurement transformation projects.
- Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience working with executive leadership.
- Sound understanding of procurement processes, contract management, UK procurement regulations, and commercial models.
- Demonstrated ability to blend people, process, and technology into operational outcomes.
- Deep understanding of procurement and BI platforms, with strong data analysis and presentation skills.
- Proficient communicator with the ability to simplify and convey complex or technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
- Adaptable, collaborative team player comfortable working in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities.
- Degree educated in a business-related subject (desirable), with 10+ years of relevant professional experience.
Head of Procurement Systems employer: ECS Resource Group
Contact Detail:
ECS Resource Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement Systems
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with SAP Ariba and S2P processes. Understanding these systems in depth will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and your ability to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement and aviation sectors. Engaging with industry peers can provide insights into current trends and challenges, which you can discuss during your interactions with us, showcasing your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading digital transformation projects. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed change and improved procurement processes, as this is a key aspect of the role we're looking to fill.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your stakeholder management skills by preparing examples of how you've built relationships with senior leadership. This will be crucial in showing us that you can effectively communicate and collaborate across various teams within our organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Procurement Systems
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience with SAP Ariba and S2P processes. Emphasise your leadership roles and any digital procurement transformation projects you've managed.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you're the perfect fit for the Head of Procurement Systems role. Discuss your experience in leading high-performing teams and your ability to drive business transformation through technology.
Highlight Key Skills: Clearly outline your relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with executive leadership and other departments to achieve procurement goals.
Showcase Data Analysis Skills: Since the role involves data analytics, include specific examples of how you've used data to inform decision-making. Mention any BI platforms you are familiar with and how you've leveraged them in past roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at ECS Resource Group
✨Showcase Your Expertise in SAP Ariba
Make sure to highlight your extensive experience with SAP Ariba and S2P processes during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you successfully implemented or managed these systems, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead the Procurement Performance team effectively.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head of Procurement Systems, you'll need to lead a high-performing team. Share examples of how you've previously motivated and guided teams through digital transformation projects. This will show that you can coordinate people and keep them aligned with the strategic direction.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Expect questions about your relationship management skills. Prepare to discuss how you've engaged with senior stakeholders in the past, particularly in terms of aligning procurement strategies with business objectives. This will illustrate your ability to maintain strong internal relationships.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Data-Driven Decision Making
Since the role involves overseeing BI and reporting strategies, be prepared to talk about how you've used data analytics to drive decision-making in previous roles. Highlight any KPIs you've defined and tracked, as well as the outcomes achieved through data-driven insights.