At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and manage supplier relationships for optimal project delivery.
- Company: IES Utilities Group Ltd, a leading UK utility provider focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Join a high-performing team and contribute to innovative infrastructure solutions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a critical role that drives efficiency and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Extensive procurement experience and strong knowledge of supply-chain management required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
Reporting to: Operational Support Director
Location: Manchester
About IES
IES Utilities Group Ltd is a leading UK utility provider delivering end‑to‑end infrastructure solutions. Our teams operate across Power, Gas, Water, Telecoms, District Heating and Renewables, supporting survey, design, construction, and maintenance services nationwide. Headquartered in Manchester, we are committed to innovation, safety, quality, commercial excellence, and sustainable delivery across all operations.
Procurement plays a critical role in enabling our operational performance, ensuring that goods, materials, subcontractors and strategic suppliers support the safe, efficient and cost‑effective delivery of our projects.
Purpose of the Role
The Head of Procurement is responsible for leading and developing the Group’s procurement strategy, governance framework and commercial buying activity. The role ensures that sourcing decisions, supplier relationships, commercial agreements and category strategies deliver optimal value, compliance and reliability across IES operations. This position provides strategic leadership for procurement, strengthening supply‑chain resilience, driving commercial efficiency, embedding controls, and ensuring procurement services effectively support project delivery, operational teams and business growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Strategy
- Lead and develop the Procurement function, including category managers, buyers and supply‑chain coordinators.
- Define and implement procurement strategy aligned with business growth, operational priorities and sustainability goals.
- Establish category plans covering materials, subcontractors, fleet/plant, services and frameworks.
- Embed a culture of commercial discipline, value creation, collaboration and ethical procurement.
- Lead innovation in procurement, including digital procurement tools, demand forecasting and supplier‑led improvements.
- Governance, Compliance & Assurance
- Ensure compliance with internal procurement policies, financial controls, contractual governance and audit requirements.
- Maintain the Procurement Management System, including processes for tendering, evaluation, approvals and contract award.
- Ensure adherence to legal and regulatory obligations, including contract law, modern slavery, anticorruption, data protection and ethical sourcing standards.
- Chair procurement reviews, audit sessions and commercial governance forums.
- Provide assurance reporting on procurement compliance, risk, spend and performance.
- Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
- Lead procurement planning, strategic sourcing and competitive tendering for key spend categories (materials, subcontractors, frameworks, services).
- Manage supplier selection, qualification, onboarding and due‑diligence processes.
- Develop long‑term category strategies to optimise cost, quality, sustainability and supply‑chain resilience.
- Oversee contract drafting, negotiation and award ensuring robust commercial terms, risk allocation and performance requirements.
- Maintain category pipelines, supply‑market analysis and cost‑saving initiatives.
- Supplier Management & Performance
- Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships to improve quality, reliability and innovation.
- Lead supplier performance management, KPIs, service-level agreements and improvement plans.
- Support resolution of supplier performance issues, disputes and risk events.
- Conduct regular supplier reviews, audits and commercial assessments.
- Strengthen supply‑chain resilience through dual‑sourcing, risk mapping and proactive planning.
- Commercial & Financial Management
- Manage procurement budgets, cost‑saving targets, rebate programmes and commercial performance reporting.
- Conduct cost analysis, value‑engineering assessments and total‑cost‑of‑ownership evaluations.
- Lead commercial negotiations, framework agreements and major contract renewals.
- Support accurate commercial reporting for forecasting, business cases and tender submissions.
- Drive continuous improvement in cost efficiency, value extraction and supply‑chain optimisation.
- Systems, Data & Digital Procurement
- Lead the development and use of digital procurement platforms, e‑tendering tools, contract repositories and spend analytics systems.
- Ensure robust data management, traceability and version control across all procurement activities.
- Use data‑driven insights to support decision‑making, category reviews and commercial risk management.
- Support integration between procurement systems and finance, asset, inventory and project‑management platforms.
- Operational Support & Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with Operations, Commercial, Finance, SHEQ and Project Delivery to ensure procurement meets operational needs.
- Provide commercial and procurement support during tendering, mobilisation, project planning and delivery.
- Engage with clients, auditors and partners on procurement‑related matters.
- Support incident investigations, root‑cause analysis and commercial improvements where supply‑chain issues contribute to service failures.
Professional Qualifications & Experience
- Extensive procurement experience in utilities, infrastructure, construction or engineering environments.
- Strong knowledge of procurement governance, contract law, sourcing strategies and supply‑chain management.
- Proven track record in strategic sourcing, category management and commercial negotiations.
- Experience managing high‑value contracts, major suppliers and complex commercial portfolios.
- CIPS qualification (Level 5/6) desirable.
- Experience with digital procurement systems and spend analytics tools.
- Strong commercial, financial and contractual acumen.
Leadership & Behavioural Competencies
- Strategic Leadership: Able to set procurement strategy, build capability and lead a high‑performing team.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong focus on cost control, risk management and value creation.
- Operational Excellence: Disciplined approach to governance, compliance and commercial delivery.
- People Leadership: Able to coach and develop procurement and commercial professionals.
- Decision Making: Analytical, evidence‑based and proactive in managing commercial risk.
- Communication: Influential communicator able to engage stakeholders across all levels.
Technical Competencies
- Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
- Contract Law & Commercial Negotiation
- Supplier Relationship & Performance Management
- Procurement Governance & Assurance
- Cost Analysis & Value Engineering
- Procurement Systems & Digital Tools
- Risk Management & Commercial Controls
- Market Intelligence & Supply‑Chain Strategy
Head Of Procurement in Heaton Chapel employer: IES Utilities Group Ltd.
IES Utilities Group Ltd is an exceptional employer located in Manchester, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises innovation, safety, and sustainability. As the Head of Procurement, you will lead a talented team while benefiting from a culture that fosters professional growth, collaboration, and ethical practices. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on strategic leadership, IES provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the utilities sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Procurement in Heaton Chapel
✨Tip Number 1
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 to reach out for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Understand their values and how they align with your experience. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your achievements and how they relate to the key responsibilities of the Head of Procurement role. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at IES Utilities Group. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Procurement in Heaton Chapel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Procurement role. Highlight your relevant experience in procurement, especially in utilities or infrastructure, and show how your skills align with our needs at IES.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your strategic leadership and commercial acumen. Use numbers and examples to illustrate how you've driven efficiency and value in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We want to see your personality shine through, so let your passion for procurement come across!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and allows us to keep track of all candidates efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at IES Utilities Group Ltd.
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially in utilities and infrastructure. Be ready to discuss strategic sourcing, category management, and how you've successfully managed high-value contracts in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Procurement, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and develop teams. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a culture of collaboration and commercial discipline.
✨Be Ready for Compliance Questions
Expect questions about governance, compliance, and risk management. Familiarise yourself with relevant laws and regulations, and be prepared to discuss how you've ensured adherence to these in previous roles.
✨Highlight Your Digital Savvy
With the increasing importance of digital tools in procurement, be ready to talk about your experience with e-tendering platforms and spend analytics systems. Share specific examples of how you've used data-driven insights to improve procurement processes.
