At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and develop supplier relationships in a major food manufacturing group.
- Company: Established UK food manufacturing group with a values-led approach.
- Benefits: Highly competitive executive package, car allowance, bonus opportunities, and benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for strategic influence and career growth in a dynamic sector.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on procurement and shape the future of a leading business.
- Qualifications: Senior procurement leadership experience in complex environments, preferably in food or FMCG.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
A rare Group-level procurement leadership role with the scale, Board exposure and mandate to shape a major UK food manufacturing business.
Location: Midlands
Working pattern: Regular presence required, typically 2-3 days per week at a Midlands office, with flexibility and limited wider site travel.
Package: Highly competitive executive package + car allowance + bonus opportunity + benefits.
Permanent.
The Opportunity
We're supporting a major UK food manufacturing group with the appointment of a Group Procurement Director. This is a confidential senior leadership search for an experienced procurement leader who can take ownership of a significant Group-wide spend profile across ingredients, packaging, indirect goods and services, and capital expenditure.
The business operates through a multi-site model, so this is not just about setting central strategy. It is about influencing senior stakeholders, partnering with individual businesses, strengthening supplier relationships and making sure procurement is genuinely helping the Group improve competitiveness, resilience and margin performance.
You'll work closely with the Group Board and senior leadership teams, leading the procurement function through its next phase and shaping how the service should evolve for the future.
Key Responsibilities
- Setting and delivering the Group procurement strategy across a complex food manufacturing environment.
- Leading and developing a sizeable procurement function across multiple category areas.
- Shaping the future procurement operating model, including structure, capability and succession.
- Building effective category strategies across direct materials, packaging, indirects and capex.
- Partnering with senior stakeholders across the Group to align procurement with business priorities.
- Leading strategic supplier relationships, major negotiations and commercial agreements.
- Using market insight, cost drivers and supply chain intelligence to identify risk and opportunity.
- Improving procurement reporting, governance, ways of working and overall functional effectiveness.
What We're Looking For
This will suit a senior procurement leader with experience operating at scale in food, FMCG, retail supply chains or another highly complex manufacturing environment. Food procurement experience is highly preferred, particularly where you have worked with ingredients, packaging, supply risk, inflationary pressure and customer-led manufacturing complexity.
You'll need to bring:
- Senior procurement leadership experience in a large, complex organisation.
- Strong strategic sourcing, category management, negotiation and supplier management capability.
- Experience influencing at Board, Executive or senior leadership level.
- A track record of leading teams, building capability and developing successors.
- The judgement to balance Group strategy with the realities of site-level operational needs.
- Strong commercial, financial and market insight.
- A calm, credible and collaborative leadership style.
This is not a role for someone who wants to operate in isolation. The business needs a visible, authentic procurement leader who can build trust, challenge constructively and take people with them.
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to step into a high-impact Group Procurement Director role with genuine scale, senior exposure and strategic influence. The business is well-established, values-led and operating in a sector where procurement has never been more important. Ingredients, packaging, supplier resilience, inflation, cost competitiveness and margin protection are all central to the Group's future direction.
For the right person, this offers the chance to shape a major procurement function, develop a strong leadership team and make a meaningful contribution to the performance of a leading UK food manufacturing group. If you're interested in learning more, we'd be happy to have a confidential conversation.
Group Procurement Director - Food Manufacturing in London employer: Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited
Join a dynamic food manufacturing business that prioritises employee growth and development in the Supply Chain sector. With a supportive work culture that encourages learning and collaboration, you'll have the chance to build a rewarding career while working alongside experienced professionals. Enjoy the benefits of a fast-paced environment where your contributions are valued, and you can make a real impact on production efficiency.
Contact Details:
Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Procurement Director - Food Manufacturing in London
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Group Procurement Director - Food Manufacturing in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited.
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited's culture.
