At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement and accounts payable, ensuring ethical sourcing and financial control.
- Company: Join a leading international animal welfare charity making a global impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, wellbeing support, and a hybrid working model.
- Other info: Work in beautiful Devon with opportunities for career growth and team development.
- Why this job: Make a difference in animal welfare while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: MCIPS qualified with significant procurement leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 69960 - 69960 £ per year.
These are exciting times for the charity, and we have an excellent opportunity for a flexible and self-motivated individual with outstanding leadership, interpersonal and decision-making skills to join the busy Finance Department, as Head of Procurement.
Location: Devon/Hybrid (onsite attendance currently anticipated to be an average of one day per week)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday
Salary: £69,960 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Sunday 6 December 2026. Please note this role may close earlier than advertised so apply as soon as possible.
About the Role
As Head of Procurement, you will lead Procurement and Accounts Payable across the Sanctuary, ensuring the charity spends its resources responsibly, achieves value for money and maintains strong financial controls. The role is responsible for sourcing goods and services ethically and effectively, managing supplier relationships, overseeing payment processes and driving improvements across the end-to-end source-to-pay cycle. As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will contribute to the charity's strategic direction and operational success.
Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:
- Leading the charity's Procurement and Accounts Payable functions, ensuring services are effective, customer-focused, compliant and aligned to organisational priorities.
- Developing, implementing and continuously evolving the charity's Source-to-Pay strategy, supporting value for money, sustainability, risk management and the effective stewardship of charitable resources.
- Acting as the process owner for Source-to-Pay governance, maintaining effective policies, procedures and control frameworks, ensuring they remain proportionate, effective and fit for purpose.
- Ensuring compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, audit and internal control requirements, identifying and addressing areas of risk, control weakness or non-compliance.
- Providing strategic oversight of the Accounts Payable function, ensuring supplier invoices, expenses and payments are processed accurately, efficiently and in accordance with agreed controls and service standards.
- Using data, insight and performance information to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness and value across the Source-to-Pay lifecycle.
- Leading, motivating, developing and supporting Procurement and Accounts Payable teams, creating a high performing and engaged culture.
Based in Sidmouth, Devon - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this is a hybrid working position, combining onsite and home working under our guiding principles for such roles. The working pattern and requirement for site attendance will be agreed between the line manager and post-holder, currently anticipated to be an average of one day per week.
About You
We are looking for someone with:
- MCIPS qualified (or equivalent professional experience).
- Significant experience of leading procurement within a complex and/or multi-site organisation.
- Experience of developing and delivering procurement and supplier management strategies.
- A strong understanding of Source-to-Pay processes, governance and financial controls, together with experience of leading Source-to-Pay transformation, automation or systems improvement programmes.
- Experience of leading Accounts Payable or a comparable transactional finance function.
- A proven track record of leading, developing and motivating high-performing teams.
- Strong commercial, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, and able to influence at a senior level.
Benefits include:
- Competitive pension.
- Life assurance - 2 x annual salary
- 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service pro rata
- Wellbeing team.
- Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
- Long service awards.
- Healthshield plan
- Free parking.
- Subsidised restaurant and shop.
About the Organisation
Join one of the UK's largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.
Head of Procurement employer: NFP People
As a leading employer in the Midlands and South East, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and dynamic work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Our Service Delivery Administration Manager role offers competitive benefits, including generous annual leave and opportunities for career advancement, all while allowing for flexible home-based working arrangements. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative environment where your contributions are valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement
✨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 NFP People.
✨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
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 NFP People:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to NFP People. 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 NFP People.
How to prepare for a job interview at NFP People
✨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 NFP People!
✨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 NFP People. 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 NFP People's culture.
