Head of Procurement Operations (12 month FTC) in London

Head of Procurement Operations (12 month FTC) in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 75000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
HCC Service Co. UK Branch

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and transform procurement operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance across the supplier lifecycle.
  • Company: Join Tokio Marine HCC, a leading global specialty insurer with a commitment to innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to shape a growing team.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth and direct access to senior leadership.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while working with cutting-edge technology and a dynamic team.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in procurement operations and strong project management skills required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.

Reporting to: Head of Procurement and Workplace Management

Direct Reports: 4 (2 in London and 2 in Bridgend)

Position Type: 12 month FTC, full-time – London based with 3 days per week onsite

Overview:

Why Tokio Marine HCC? Standing still is not an option in the current world of Insurance. TMHCC is one of the world’s leading Specialty Insurers. With deep expertise in our chosen lines of business, our unparalleled track record and a solid balance sheet, TMHCC evaluates and manages risk like no one else in the industry. Looking beyond profit, empowering our people and delivering on our commitments are at the core of our customer values, along with a desire to grow and provide creative and innovative solutions to our clients.

About Operations: Operations sits at the heart of TMHCC, we ensure the smooth running of all business processes – from policy administration and claims handling to data, technology, and delivery. We focus on driving efficiency which enables our teams across the business to deliver exceptional results every day. Our value statement: Ops makes it happen.

Operations is made up of 7 functions, this role sits within: Procurement and Workplace Management. From identifying the scope of the goods and services required to deliver business outcomes, to negotiating pricing and managing the full lifecycle of contracts and suppliers. Procurement focuses on delivering Value For Money for the organisation. We leverage market intelligence and navigate the regulatory landscape to achieve commercial outcomes and reduce risk and complexity.

Job Purpose: The Head of Procurement Operations is a key role within the Procurement function, driving transformation and enabling scalable, high-performing procurement services. The position leads Procurement Operations; the high performing, engine room responsible for intake and orchestrating all core procurement operational processes. The role manages risk, legal, and analytics functions, ensuring strategic alignment, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance across the full supplier lifecycle.

The role requires great leadership, exceptional process management, tight quality control, and a commitment to continuously improving workflow efficiency. Managing a team of 4, this role ensures that all activities provide outstanding customer service to internal stakeholders and suppliers alike. The team is growing and taken on additional responsibility for supporting Enterprise wide IT agreements through executing a Global Procurement service to deliver consistent, stable and high-quality IT services and cost optimization for the organisation across the globe. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build and shape a growing Procurement function with great access to the senior leadership in the organisation. You will shape how the operation runs and grows, ensuring greater use of technology and AI in a maturing function.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Strategic & Operating Model Leadership: Deliver Procurement Strategy, Transformation Roadmap and Target Operating Model for TMHCC International. Champion forward-looking procurement strategies, while maintaining regulatory compliance. Drive service excellence and customer experience to deliver a seamless, supportive, and professional service for stakeholders and suppliers.
  • Leadership & Team Development: Lead, coach, develop and manage a cross-functional team across legal, risk, operations, and analytics professionals building high‑performing team that meets service and quality standards. Foster a high-performance culture promoting accountability and innovation.
  • Governance, Compliance & Risk: Set, maintain, and evolve procurement policies, controls, and audit-ready documentation. Maintain and improve operational processes and controls to ensure efficiency, scalability, and reduction of errors and cycle times. Act as the central escalation point for operational issues to remove blockers quickly and maintain momentum across all workflows. Monitor performance, metrics, and throughput to provide visibility of operational health and drive continuous improvement. Collaborate with Procurement colleagues, and all 2nd line functions to ensure aligned controls, smooth handovers, and strong organisational integration. Establish and lead governance forums, KPIs, and escalation processes. Establish and oversee supplier due diligence, onboarding, and risk monitoring.
  • Process, Reporting, Technology & Analytics Enablement: Design and implement scalable end-to-end processes. Deliver scalable procurement intake and orchestration. Own the end-to-end procurement technology roadmap and digitization. Establish procurement data governance and analytics frameworks. Establish reporting requirements and delivery of timely reporting and associated insights.
  • Stakeholder & Executive Engagement: Support Head of Procurement in executive preparations. Own and execute procurement communication and engagement strategy. Lead Quarterly Business Reviews and MI delivery.

Skills and Experience Specification:

Essential:

  • Proven success leading procurement Operations
  • Exceptional planning, organisation, and prioritisation skills
  • Strong project and programme delivery experience in complex regulatory environments
  • Deep knowledge of Source-to-Pay technology, process design, controls, and stakeholder enablement
  • ESG/sustainable procurement awareness embedded into supplier management/selection expectations
  • Customer service mindset with a professional, solutions‑focused approach.
  • Strong organisation and prioritisation to manage multiple workflows
  • Attention to detail across all operational processes and controls
  • Clear and effective communication with stakeholders and suppliers
  • Analytical and problem‑solving skills to assess issues and risks
  • People management and coaching to support a small team
  • Process improvement skills to enhance efficiency and consistency
  • Resilience and adaptability in a fast‑paced environment.

Desirable:

  • Master’s degree (Business/Supply Chain/Finance/Engineering or similar), coupled with transformation experience
  • Professional certification desirable (e.g., CIPS/CPSM/CPIM), and PM credentials a plus.

Head of Procurement Operations (12 month FTC) in London employer: HCC Service Co. UK Branch

At Tokio Marine HCC, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and empowerment. Our London-based team enjoys a collaborative work environment with ample opportunities for professional growth, supported by strong leadership and a commitment to operational excellence. With a focus on delivering value and leveraging technology, we provide our employees with the tools and resources they need to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact in the insurance industry.

HCC Service Co. UK Branch

Contact Detail:

HCC Service Co. UK Branch Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement Operations (12 month FTC) in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.

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 around driving efficiency and managing supplier relationships.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in leading teams and driving transformation in procurement operations. They’ll want to see how you can elevate their function.

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 Procurement Operations (12 month FTC) in London

Leadership
Procurement Strategy Development
Project Management
Process Improvement
Stakeholder Engagement
Risk Management
Data Governance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Head of Procurement Operations role. Highlight your experience in procurement, leadership, and process management. We want to see how your skills align 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 transformation at TMHCC. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.

Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in leading teams, improving processes, or delivering exceptional results. Numbers speak volumes!

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 ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Let’s make it happen together!

How to prepare for a job interview at HCC Service Co. UK Branch

Know Your Procurement Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially around Source-to-Pay technology and process design. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led procurement operations in the past and how you can bring that experience to the role.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

This role involves managing a team, so be prepared to share examples of how you've developed and led teams in previous positions. Highlight your coaching style and how you foster a high-performance culture.

Demonstrate Problem-Solving Prowess

Expect questions that assess your analytical and problem-solving skills. Think of specific challenges you've faced in procurement and how you navigated them, particularly in complex regulatory environments.

Engage with Stakeholders

Since stakeholder engagement is key, prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated and collaborated with various stakeholders in the past. Share examples of how you've delivered exceptional customer service and maintained strong relationships with suppliers.