Head of Procurement and Purchasing Operations

Head of Procurement and Purchasing Operations

Full-Time 45000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Maintel

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and optimise purchasing operations for maximum profitability.
  • Company: Join Maintel, a leading communications managed services provider.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25+ days holiday, health care plans, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of procurement while making impactful decisions.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in procurement strategy and team leadership required.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.

Head of Procurement and Purchasing Operations

A critical role within our organisation to shape the procurement strategy diversifying the sourcing and supporting the maximisation of our margin through effective purchase price optimisation, with responsibility for procurement, purchasing across the suppliers and distributors that are essential partners in the delivery to customers.

The role holder will lead a team of specialists in procurement and supplier management to ensure appropriate and optimised terms and pricing with suppliers as well as prioritised and timely payments to balance working capital challenges with supplier order commitments to meet customer delivery expectations.

Working across the organisation the role holder will champion the importance of supplier due diligence and management to underpin the right commercial relationships with our suppliers and ensure that internal processes are optimised to make supplier payments are timely, accurate and right first time.

  • Role Objectives
  • Shape the procurement strategy to ensure that Maintel diversify their sourcing in order to lower dependence on a specific suppliers or vendors and are able to leverage competitive tension to obtain the best terms
  • Establish a scalable, lightweight RFP process to optimise large purchases
  • Ensure development and maintenance of the relationships and commercial terms of diverse and appropriate suppliers and distributors and negotiate the best pricing and terms to maximise profitability
  • Ensure accurate, timely, efficient and prioritised payments to suppliers to optimise working capital
  • Deliver streamlined supplier orders processes to ensure timely ordering and delivery to fulfil and improve the customer expectations and experience
  • Lead optimisation programmes to achieve cost savings and continuously review & improve ways of working within the team to drive efficiencies and the customer and supplier experience
  • Role responsibilities
  • Lead, manage, motivate and mentor the procurement and purchasing team
  • Maintain industry knowledge and strong relationships with Maintel’s suppliers and distributors while diversifying sourcing
  • Negotiate the best pricing and terms with suppliers to maximise profitability and actively avoid margin erosion
  • Prioritise orders across the portfolio of suppliers
  • Manage relationships in the context of challenging working capital conditions
  • Manage supplier payments on a weekly or daily basis as required and actively manage payment priorities
  • Actively seek alternative supply sources to diversify dependence from specific suppliers and pro-actively identify efficiencies and cost savings opportunities through supplier consolidation
  • Ensure that the negotiation of payment terms is within the agreed Company standards
  • Collaborate effectively across the organisation, including treasury, purchasing and other functions, with credibility and confidence.
  • Supervise the supplier orders processes to ensure on time ordering and delivery to fulfil customer expectations
  • Supervise the suppliers on-boarding process to ensure effective and timely completion
  • Leads procurement optimisation programmes to achieve short term and longer term savings
  • Identify and drive process change to improve efficiencies, enhance productivity and deliver continual process improvement and establish best practice
  • Ensure appropriate staffing and skills levels across the whole team and that that work distribution is appropriate across the team.
  • Hold regular one-to -ones and team meetings
  • Take active role and engage in Team Meetings and Companywide updates as and when required
  • Vacancy Type Permanent/Full Time Location Central London Job Profile Job Profile document
  • Job Summary
  • Role Purpose

A critical role within our organisation to shape the procurement strategy diversifying the sourcing and supporting the maximisation of our margin through effective purchase price optimisation, with responsibility for procurement, purchasing across the suppliers and distributors that are essential partners in the delivery to customers.

The role holder will lead a team of specialists in procurement and supplier management to ensure appropriate and optimised terms and pricing with suppliers as well as prioritised and timely payments to balance working capital challenges with supplier order commitments to meet customer delivery expectations.

Working across the organisation the role holder will champion the importance of supplier due diligence and management to underpin the right commercial relationships with our suppliers and ensure that internal processes are optimised to make supplier payments are timely, accurate and right first time.

  • Role Objectives
  • Shape the procurement strategy to ensure that Maintel diversify their sourcing in order to lower dependence on a specific suppliers or vendors and are able to leverage competitive tension to obtain the best terms
  • Establish a scalable, lightweight RFP process to optimise large purchases
  • Ensure development and maintenance of the relationships and commercial terms of diverse and appropriate suppliers and distributors and negotiate the best pricing and terms to maximise profitability
  • Ensure accurate, timely, efficient and prioritised payments to suppliers to optimise working capital
  • Deliver streamlined supplier orders processes to ensure timely ordering and delivery to fulfil and improve the customer expectations and experience
  • Lead optimisation programmes to achieve cost savings and continuously review & improve ways of working within the team to drive efficiencies and the customer and supplier experience
  • Role responsibilities
  • Lead, manage, motivate and mentor the procurement and purchasing team
  • Maintain industry knowledge and strong relationships with Maintel’s suppliers and distributors while diversifying sourcing
  • Negotiate the best pricing and terms with suppliers to maximise profitability and actively avoid margin erosion
  • Prioritise orders across the portfolio of suppliers
  • Manage relationships in the context of challenging working capital conditions
  • Manage supplier payments on a weekly or daily basis as required and actively manage payment priorities
  • Actively seek alternative supply sources to diversify dependence from specific suppliers and pro-actively identify efficiencies and cost savings opportunities through supplier consolidation
  • Ensure that the negotiation of payment terms is within the agreed Company standards
  • Collaborate effectively across the organisation, including treasury, purchasing and other functions, with credibility and confidence.
  • Supervise the supplier orders processes to ensure on time ordering and delivery to fulfil customer expectations
  • Supervise the suppliers on-boarding process to ensure effective and timely completion
  • Leads procurement optimisation programmes to achieve short term and longer term savings
  • Identify and drive process change to improve efficiencies, enhance productivity and deliver continual process improvement and establish best practice
  • Ensure appropriate staffing and skills levels across the whole team and that that work distribution is appropriate across the team.
  • Hold regular one-to -ones and team meetings
  • Take active role and engage in Team Meetings and Companywide updates as and when required
  • Hours per week 37.5
  • Solid solutions for a dynamic world

About us

Maintel is a communications managed services provider.

We empower our clients across the public and private sector to deliver mission critical services and achieve their workplace, service and customer experience goals.

We consult on the design, deploy and manage network infrastructures, platforms and software, including our own, that keep ongoing operations running smoothly and dependably, protecting business as usual, at the same time being flexible enough to adapt.

When customer, employee, the general public and regulatory expectations are ever-changing, choose Maintel.

We provide progressive, solid solutions that help you succeed in a demanding, dynamic world.

A brief history

Maintel, founded in 1991 by Tim Mason and Angus Mc Caffery, started as a small operation providing telephone maintenance contracts.

Over the years, we have grown into a major player in communications technology, achieving significant milestones such as floating on the London Stock Exchange in 2004 and completing numerous strategic acquisitions.

These acquisitions, including Azzurri Communications and Intrinsic Technology, expanded our expertise in unified communications, cloud, and networking.

Today, Maintel continues to transform businesses with cutting-edge solutions like Cloud Contact Centres, Security & Connectivity and Unified Communications, positioning us as a leader in the digital-first era.

  • Purpose
  • Why we exist

Using technology to create customer experiences, services and workplaces that inspire and empower people.

  • Vision
  • Where we want to be

To be the first-choice technology services partner of ambitious brands and public service, chosen because of our dependable enablement of their vision and operations.

Mission

How we will achieve our vision

We become trusted insiders within our clients’ organisations.

An embedded partner working in close collaboration to deliver their workplace, service and customer experience strategies.

We consult on the design, deploy and manage solid technology solutions – mission critical infrastructure, platforms and applications that ensure our clients businesses run efficiently and securely, achieving their ambitions, while always being ready to adapt.

Benefits

  • Your Benefits
  • Standard Benefits
  • 25 days holiday, rising to 28 days, plus bank holidays
  • Company pension scheme
  • Life assurance
  • Enhanced sick pay
  • Health care cash plan
  • Private medical scheme (self and family)*
  • Income protection scheme
  • Employee assistance line
  • Discounts and cashback on shopping
  • Discounted York Test home kits
  • Free car parking (Blackburn site)
  • Flex Benefits
  • Holiday trading
  • Critical illness cover
  • ULEV car leasing scheme
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Gym membership
  • Car breakdown cover
  • Will writing service

Compensation

  • Annual salary review
  • Bonus and commission arrangements*
  • Car allowances*
  • Recruitment referral scheme
  • Various recognition schemes (e. g. long service awards)
  • Role Dependent
  • Working Environment
  • Modern offices with collaboration/meeting spaces
  • Agile/remote working
  • Technology to support agile/remote working
  • Free tea, coffee, juices and snacks at offices
  • Development
  • Supported study
  • Apprentice schemes
  • Levy funded learning opportunities
  • Individual development plans

Skills & Competencies

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Situational leadership as well as proven leadership abilities, with experience building and leading high-performing teams
  • Excellent communicator who can build and maintain effective supplier relationships
  • Confidence and competence working with data from different sources. Expertise in using MS Excel and relevant internal systems.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and manage expectations from multiple stakeholders
  • Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and meet deadlines independently and manage the delivery of deadlines of team members
  • Curiosity, adaptability and flexibility to cope with uncertainly and dynamically manage change and risks.
  • A continuous improvement mindset, always seeking ways to enhance processes and systems.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

  • Proven experience in shaping procurement strategies and deploying successful new procurement sources
  • Track record in concluding successful supplier and vendor negotiations leading to impactful better terms and tangible cost savings
  • Extensive knowledge and experience in working with suppliers
  • Strong track record of developing relationships and effective communications with suppliers and distributors
  • Proven experience in team management, including leading and developing teams
  • Expertise in MS Excel and working with data and competence in using IT systems
  • Track record in delivering optimisation initiatives to achieve short and longer term savings
  • Strong background in analytical roles

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Focal point and Access Dimensions systems
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr

Head of Procurement and Purchasing Operations employer: Maintel

Maintel is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, empowering employees to contribute meaningfully to strategic financial decisions. With flexible remote working options and a commitment to professional development, team members can thrive in their roles while enjoying a healthy work-life balance. The company's focus on growth and optimisation ensures that every employee has the opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Maintel

Contact Details:

Maintel Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement and Purchasing Operations

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 Maintel.

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 Head of Procurement and Purchasing Operations

Procurement Strategy Development
Supplier Relationship Management
Negotiation Skills
Purchase Price Optimisation
Team Leadership
Data Analysis
MS Excel Proficiency

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 Maintel:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Maintel. 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 Maintel.

How to prepare for a job interview at Maintel

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 Maintel!

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 Maintel. 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 Maintel's culture.