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: Join a fast-paced environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape impactful procurement strategies and drive significant cost improvements.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior procurement roles and strong leadership skills required.
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 Portsmouth employer: Elevation Recruitment Group
Join a dynamic and forward-thinking 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 sustainability, this role offers a unique 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 Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and join online forums. 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 building products. Show them you mean business!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings! Apply directly through our website and express your interest in the Head of Purchasing role. Tailor your approach to highlight your strategic sourcing and team leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews with a thank-you note. It’s a simple gesture that shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you top of mind. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your fit for the position!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Purchasing in Portsmouth
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 supplier management. We want to see how your background aligns 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 value for our building products business. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a pivotal leader, we’re looking for someone who can build and manage a high-performing team. Share examples of how you've developed teams in the past and the impact it had on procurement outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing talent interested in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elevation Recruitment Group
✨Know Your Procurement Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of procurement strategies relevant to the building products sector. Research current trends and challenges in the industry, and be ready to discuss how you would develop and implement a cohesive purchasing strategy that aligns with business objectives.
✨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 and engagement within your team.
✨Master Contract Negotiation
Be prepared to discuss your experience with complex contract negotiations. Bring specific examples of high-value agreements you've managed, focusing on how you ensured robust terms on pricing and service levels. This will demonstrate your advanced negotiation skills and commercial acumen.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing how you would influence senior stakeholders. Be ready to explain how you collaborate across different teams and manage relationships with suppliers to foster innovation and continuous improvement.
