At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement transformation and drive strategic sourcing for a growing FMCG business.
- Company: Established FMCG manufacturing company with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, corporate benefits, and relocation support available.
- Other info: High-impact role with opportunities for career advancement and team development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping procurement strategies and driving operational improvements.
- Qualifications: Senior procurement leadership experience in fast-paced environments, CIPS qualified.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 95000 £ per year.
A well-established and growing FMCG manufacturing business is seeking a Head of Procurement to lead the transformation of its procurement function. With annual spend in excess of £80m across raw materials and packaging, the organisation is evolving from a reactive purchasing environment to a structured, strategic procurement model. This role offers a significant opportunity to define strategy, implement best practice, and drive measurable commercial value.
You will lead the procurement function, managing a small team and working cross-functionally with commercial, operations, and supply chain stakeholders. Key responsibilities include:
- Defining and delivering a clear procurement strategy and operating framework
- Transitioning the function from reactive sourcing to proactive category management
- Driving cost optimisation, value engineering, and improved purchase price performance
- Strengthening supplier strategy, onboarding, and contract management
- Implementing robust processes, governance, and data discipline
- Leading risk management across commodities, supply continuity, and compliance
- Supporting growth plans through scalable sourcing strategies
- Developing and coaching the procurement team to build capability and consistency
The current environment is fast-paced and customer-led, with a high degree of operational reactivity, lacking standardised processes, systems, and data consistency. The successful candidate will bring structure, clarity, and forward planning, enabling the function to operate more strategically and efficiently.
Candidate Profile
Experience:
- Senior procurement leadership experience (Head of / equivalent)
- Background within Food Manufacturing, FMCG or similarly fast-moving, high-volume environments
- Motivated by value creation, not just cost control
- Familiarity with retail customer expectations and audit requirements
- Proven track record of delivering transformation, cost savings, and operational improvements
- Previous experience working in highly matrixed environments
- Experience of creating and delivering balanced scorecards
- Strong understanding of ethical sourcing, supplier standards, provenance and supply chain integrity in Food/FMCG environments
- Ability to balance cost, quality, risk and reputation in sourcing decisions
- CIPS Qualified
- Educated to Degree Level or equivalent
- Experience managing a total spend of circa £60million minimum
- Experience managing complex supplier bases and multiple categories
- Strong exposure to manufacturing or supply chain environments
- Proven exposure to raw materials and ingredient procurement
- Previous experience in packaging desirable
Capabilities:
- Strong commercial acumen with advanced analytical and negotiation skills
- Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, evolving environments
- Experience implementing processes, governance, and category strategies
- Confident stakeholder engagement across senior and cross-functional teams
Style:
- Hands-on and delivery-focused, with the ability to balance strategy and execution
- Resilient and adaptable within a high-paced and ambiguous environment
- Collaborative but able to challenge and influence effectively
- Being a ‘builder’ not a ‘custodian’
- Confidence and experience to introduce change in a confident and pragmatic way
Opportunity
This is a high-impact leadership role offering the opportunity to build and shape a procurement function, deliver tangible commercial and operational improvements, and play a key role in supporting business growth and supply chain performance.
Head of Procurement in England employer: High Profile Resourcing Ltd
Contact Detail:
High Profile Resourcing Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Head of Procurement role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their procurement challenges and think about how you can bring value. We want you to walk in there ready to impress with your strategic insights!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When discussing your experience, focus on specific examples where you’ve driven cost savings or improved processes. We love hearing about real results that demonstrate your capability as a leader.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. We’re here to help you every step of the way in landing that dream job!
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 reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Procurement role. Highlight your senior procurement leadership experience and any relevant achievements in FMCG or food manufacturing to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about transforming procurement functions and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Be sure to mention your experience with strategic sourcing and supplier management.
Showcase Your Achievements: Quantify your successes! Whether it's cost savings, process improvements, or team development, use numbers and specific examples to demonstrate your impact in previous roles. We love seeing how you've driven measurable commercial value!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at High Profile Resourcing Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on your understanding of procurement metrics and financials. Be ready to discuss how you've managed significant budgets in the past, particularly in FMCG or food manufacturing. This will show that you can handle the £80m spend effectively.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples of how you've transitioned procurement functions from reactive to strategic. Highlight specific strategies you've implemented that drove cost optimisation and improved supplier relationships. This will demonstrate your ability to lead the transformation they’re looking for.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've worked cross-functionally in previous roles. Be ready to share stories about how you’ve engaged with commercial, operations, and supply chain teams to achieve common goals. This will illustrate your collaborative approach and stakeholder management skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Style
Reflect on your leadership experiences and be prepared to discuss how you've developed and coached teams in the past. They want someone who can build capability and consistency, so share your vision for leading a procurement team effectively.