At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fresh produce procurement and shape multi-year strategies.
- Company: Market-leading fresh produce business with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Senior executive package, benefits, and potential relocation support.
- Why this job: Step into a true leadership role with real influence over strategy and outcomes.
- Qualifications: Significant senior-level procurement experience in FMCG, preferably fresh produce.
- Other info: Opportunity to work closely with major UK retailers and grow a high-performing team.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: (3–4 days per week on site)
Salary: Senior executive package (low–mid six figures) + benefits
Type: Full-time, permanent
Ready to lead fresh produce procurement?
About the Role
We’re supporting a market-leading fresh produce business to appoint a Head of Procurement into a senior leadership position within its UK operation. This role sits at the heart of a highly integrated, end-to-end supply model, working closely with growers, major UK retail customers, and internal teams across supply chain, commercial, quality, and operations. You’ll be accountable for shaping and delivering multi-year procurement strategy, leading a senior team, and ensuring the business delivers on service, quality, sustainability, and financial performance. The role is typically 3–4 days per week on site in the East of England and, for many candidates, will involve relocation.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver procurement strategy across defined product areas, aligned to 1, 3, and 5-year business plans.
- Lead, develop, and succession-plan a senior procurement team, embedding high performance and accountability.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with growers and major retail stakeholders.
- Own delivery of key financials, KPIs, and service levels across procurement and supply.
- Manage risk, market volatility, supplier onboarding, waste, and volume planning.
- Ensure best-in-class procurement standards across food safety, quality, integrity, and ethics.
- Partner closely with supply chain, commercial, quality, and finance leadership to deliver end-to-end performance.
- Act as a senior representative into retailer governance, risk, and opportunity forums.
What You’ll Bring
- Significant senior-level procurement leadership experience within FMCG (fresh produce strongly advantageous).
- Exposure to major UK supermarkets and complex, fast-moving supply chains.
- Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to manage senior stakeholder relationships.
- Strategic mindset balanced with hands-on execution capability.
- Willingness to be present on site multiple days per week.
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to step into a true leadership role within a fresh produce business operating at scale and complexity. You’ll have real influence over strategy, people, and outcomes — with the backing, scope, and remuneration expected at this level.
Interested? If you’re a senior procurement leader operating at or ready for this level, apply now or contact me for a confidential discussion.
Head of Procurement in England employer: Henderson Brown
Contact Detail:
Henderson Brown Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement in England
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Set up informal chats with professionals in procurement. This isn’t just about asking for a job; it’s about learning from their experiences and getting advice. Plus, it helps you build relationships that could lead to job opportunities down the line.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Create a personal brand that highlights your skills and achievements in procurement. Share insights, articles, or case studies on social media to demonstrate your knowledge. This will make you stand out as a thought leader in the field.
✨Apply Directly Through Us
When you find a role that excites you, apply directly through our website! It shows your enthusiasm and gives us a chance to see your application first-hand. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Procurement in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Procurement role. Highlight your senior-level procurement experience, especially in FMCG and fresh produce, to show us you’re the right fit for this leadership position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about procurement and how your strategic mindset aligns with our goals. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your impact and leadership skills.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and KPIs to illustrate how you’ve driven performance in previous roles. We love seeing tangible results that reflect your capabilities.
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 ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Brown
✨Know Your Procurement Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of procurement strategies, especially in the fresh produce sector. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and deliver a multi-year procurement strategy that aligns with business goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and developed high-performing teams in the past. Highlight your experience in succession planning and fostering accountability within your team, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with growers and retail stakeholders. Think of specific instances where you've navigated complex stakeholder environments and how you managed those relationships effectively.
✨Understand Financials and KPIs
Be prepared to discuss how you've owned delivery of key financials and KPIs in previous roles. Show that you understand the importance of service levels and can manage risk and market volatility in procurement.