At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and drive cost savings across the Group.
- Company: Join Gregory Distribution Ltd, a growing and ambitious company.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, performance bonus, executive benefits, and career growth.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor a team and influence key business decisions.
- Why this job: Shape procurement strategies that impact operational excellence and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Senior procurement leadership experience in logistics or supply chain required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
This is a critical leadership role reporting directly to the Group Managing Director with direct influence on cost, service, risk, and operational performance across the Group. As a member of the Management Board, the Group Procurement Director will shape and deliver a unified procurement strategy across all direct and indirect spend including fleet, maintenance, tyres, contract hire, agency, technology etc, ensuring the business has resilient, well managed suppliers, sustainable cost models, and the commercial capability to support growth and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Procurement Leadership
- Define and deliver a Group‑wide procurement strategy aligned to business objectives, operational requirements, and growth plans.
- Provide clear procurement insight, performance reporting, and recommendations to the Management Board.
- Lead sourcing initiatives to drive cost savings across the business, ROI, value improvement, and risk mitigation.
- Identifying, highlighting and driving cost savings initiatives across the business, including strategy for use of telematics to drive operational efficiency.
- Support the Business Transformation Plan with procurement initiatives.
- Lead the strategic approach to cost saving across the business by working closely with fleet and operational teams on site to support requirements and future planning.
- Embed the Supplier Code of Conduct with all key suppliers, supporting our ethical and sustainability principles including support of Ecovadis submissions and Net Zero 2038.
- Establish a subcontracting solution which manages our ability to subcontract/cover loads through subcontract preferred suppliers.
- Establish procurement governance, policies, and best‑practice frameworks across the Group.
- Fleet & Transport Procurement
- Own procurement strategy for fleet assets including vans, trucks, HGVs, trailers, forklifts, and specialist logistics equipment.
- Lead sourcing and contract management for fleet‑related services including fuel, fuel cards, maintenance, leasing, telematics, tyres, repairs, and breakdown services.
- Drive total cost of ownership optimisation, compliance, sustainability, and operational efficiency across all fleet categories.
- Ensure fleet procurement supports operational efficiency, compliance, sustainability, and total cost of ownership objectives.
- Indirect Procurement
- Lead indirect procurement across key categories including: Agency labour and temporary staffing, Facilities management, cleaning and security services, Uniforms and PPE, Company cars, IT, telecoms, and office services, Professional services and utilities.
- Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, cost optimisation, and service improvement.
- Ensure effective supplier selection, performance management, and contract compliance.
- Commercial Excellence & Risk
- Lead complex commercial negotiations and contract renewals.
- Establish robust supplier performance management through KPIs, SLAs, and regular reviews.
- Manage procurement risk, supplier resilience, and business continuity planning.
- Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, ESG, and internal governance requirements.
- People & Stakeholder Leadership
- Lead, develop, and mentor the procurement team, building strong commercial capability.
- Partner effectively with senior stakeholders across operations, finance, HR, fleet, and facilities.
- Drive a culture of accountability, commercial rigor, and continuous improvement.
Requirements:
- Essential
- Board level gravitas with significant senior procurement leadership experience within logistics, transport, distribution, or supply chain environments.
- Strong expertise across both fleet procurement and indirect spend categories.
- Proven track record of delivering commercial value, cost savings, and risk mitigation.
- Experience managing agency labour procurement and workforce supply contracts.
- Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
- Strong people leadership and team development capability.
- Experience using procurement systems, spend analysis, and reporting tools.
- Solid understanding of procurement governance, compliance, and supplier risk management.
- Desirable
- Procurement or commercial qualification (e.g. CIPS).
- Experience operating at Board or Executive level.
- Exposure to ESG‑led procurement initiatives or sustainability programmes.
- Experience supporting business transformation or complex, multi‑site operations.
Why Join Gregory Distribution Ltd?
- An attractive base salary aligned to senior Group‑level appointments.
- Annual performance‑related bonus.
- Executive benefits package including company car or car allowance, pension, and private medical cover.
- A long‑term, career‑defining opportunity within a growing, operationally critical business.
How to Apply
If you have the drive to be the best and want to be part of a flourishing and ambitious company, apply now! Please submit your application as soon as possible. Due to high volumes of applications, we reserve the right to close adverts before the closing date once we have received sufficient applications.
Eligibility: Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK with no restrictions. Proof of Right to Work will be required at the interview stage.
Contact Us: For any queries, please contact our Recruitment Team. Our team is available Monday to Friday, 08:30hrs - 17:00hrs.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: We prefer to recruit directly but have a Preferred Supplier List for when we need assistance. We'll be in touch if we need you.
Locations
Group Director of Procurement & Cost Optimisation in Cullompton, Devon employer: Gregory
Gregory Distribution Ltd offers an exceptional work environment for the Group Director of Procurement & Cost Optimisation, located in the vibrant South West region. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, including performance-related bonuses and private medical cover, the company fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Join a forward-thinking team that values sustainability and operational excellence, providing you with a unique opportunity to shape procurement strategies that drive significant impact across the organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Director of Procurement & Cost Optimisation in Cullompton, Devon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement and logistics sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their procurement strategies and challenges. This will help you tailor your answers and show them you’re the perfect fit for the Group Director role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Group Director, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead complex negotiations. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build confidence and refine your approach.
✨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 take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Director of Procurement & Cost Optimisation in Cullompton, Devon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in procurement and cost optimisation. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your previous roles; share specific examples of how you’ve driven cost savings or improved supplier relationships. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your achievements, even better!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us promptly and gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gregory
✨Know Your Procurement Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand the company's procurement strategy and how it aligns with their business objectives. Be ready to discuss how your experience can contribute to shaping and delivering a unified procurement strategy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this role involves leading a team, prepare examples of how you've successfully developed and mentored teams in the past. Highlight your ability to drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within procurement.
✨Prepare for Complex Negotiations
Expect questions about your negotiation skills and experiences. Think of specific instances where you've led complex negotiations or contract renewals, and be ready to discuss the outcomes and lessons learned.
✨Understand Compliance and Risk Management
Familiarise yourself with procurement governance, compliance, and supplier risk management. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed these aspects in previous roles and how you would approach them in this position.
