At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and build a high-performing team in a growing business.
- Company: Dynamic building products company focused on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Stable long-term position with opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Shape impactful procurement strategies and drive significant cost improvements.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior procurement roles and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Step into a pivotal leadership role where you’ll shape and deliver a high-impact procurement strategy for a growing building products business. This is an opportunity to own the full procurement agenda, drive significant cost and value improvements, and build a high-performing team in a stable, long-term position.
About the Role:
As Head of Procurement, you will lead the end-to-end procurement function, covering strategic sourcing, category management and supplier relationship management across all building products and related spend. You will set the procurement vision, develop robust category strategies, and ensure contracts and supplier partnerships support the company’s commercial, operational, and quality objectives. Working closely with senior leadership, you will influence key decisions, optimise total cost of ownership, and embed best practice across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement a cohesive purchasing strategy aligned with business objectives and growth plans for building products and associated categories.
- Lead and manage the purchasing team, setting clear goals, coaching for performance, and building capability across strategic sourcing and category management.
- Drive strategic sourcing initiatives, including market analysis, supplier selection, tendering, and negotiation to secure optimal value, quality, and risk profile.
- Own category management plans, including demand forecasting, supplier segmentation, contract lifecycle planning, and continuous improvement of category performance.
- Lead complex contract negotiations, ensuring robust terms on pricing, service levels, warranties, and risk allocation, in collaboration with legal and key stakeholders.
- Establish and maintain strong supplier relationships, monitoring performance, resolving issues, and fostering innovation and continuous improvement.
- Implement and refine procurement policies, processes, and governance, ensuring compliance with internal controls and relevant regulations.
- Provide regular reporting and insight on procurement performance, savings, risks, and opportunities to the senior leadership team.
Key Requirements:
- Proven experience in a senior procurement role with responsibility for strategy, sourcing, and category management, ideally within building products or a related sector.
- Demonstrable track record of leading and developing procurement teams, including setting direction, managing performance, and driving engagement.
- Strong expertise in strategic sourcing, including running RFPs, supplier evaluation, and total cost of ownership analysis.
- Advanced contract negotiation skills with experience managing complex, high-value supplier agreements.
- Solid understanding of category management principles and their practical application across multiple spend areas.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to interpret data, build business cases, and influence senior stakeholders.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across operations, finance, and leadership teams.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities, and delivering to deadlines.
Desirable Skills:
- Experience within the construction, manufacturing, or building materials sector.
- Familiarity with ERP and e-procurement systems and data analytics tools for spend analysis and supplier performance tracking.
- Experience implementing or improving procurement governance frameworks and policies.
- Exposure to sustainability, ESG, or responsible sourcing initiatives within procurement.
- Background in multi-site or multi-business-unit environments.
Qualifications:
- Degree-level education in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, or a related discipline.
- Professional procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS or equivalent) or working towards this.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development in procurement, negotiation, or leadership.
If you are a strategic, commercially minded procurement leader ready to take ownership of a key function and build a high-performing team, we’d like to hear from you.
Head of Purchasing in Derby employer: Elevation Recruitment Group
Join a dynamic building products business that prioritises employee development and fosters a collaborative work culture. As the Head of Purchasing, you will not only lead a high-performing team but also have access to ongoing professional growth opportunities and a stable, long-term career path. With a focus on innovation and strategic sourcing, this role offers the chance to make a significant impact while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.
Contact Details:
Elevation Recruitment Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Purchasing in Derby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Purchasing role.
✨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 in strategic sourcing and supplier management.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be prepared to share examples of how you've built and managed high-performing teams in the past. Companies want to see that you can drive engagement and performance.
✨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 Purchasing in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Purchasing. Highlight your experience in procurement strategy, team leadership, and any relevant achievements in building products or similar sectors. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your strategic sourcing successes and how you've built high-performing teams. Let us know what excites you about joining StudySmarter!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use your application to show how your expertise in contract negotiation and supplier relationship management has led to tangible results. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elevation Recruitment Group
✨Know Your Procurement Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand the company's current procurement strategy and how it aligns with their business objectives. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and implement a cohesive purchasing strategy that drives value and supports growth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Purchasing, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've previously managed and developed procurement teams. Highlight your coaching techniques and how you've set clear goals to drive performance.
✨Master Contract Negotiation
Brush up on your contract negotiation skills. Be prepared to discuss complex agreements you've managed in the past, focusing on how you secured optimal terms and mitigated risks. This will demonstrate your advanced negotiation capabilities.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be ready to interpret data and build business cases during the interview. Show how your strong commercial acumen has influenced key decisions in previous roles, especially in relation to total cost of ownership and supplier performance.
