Head of Procurement in Newry

In Norbrook we pride ourselves in being one of the top companies in Northern Ireland and one of the top veterinary pharmaceutical companies globally. We develop & manufacture veterinary medicines, supplying products to 120 countries globally. With a strong portfolio of existing products and significant investment in R&D to launch new products annually, we have opportunities for individuals to join us and develop their career in a global company. Our business strategy is supported by our Values – Customer Value, One Team, Results Driven, Excellence, Innovation, and Quality – and we support our employees to live the behaviours that create our culture. Our on-going success is based on the expertise, knowledge and innovation of our employees. If you are interested in joining our team here at Norbrook and supporting our vision, then apply for this role.

Job Overview

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and as a member of the Operations Team, the Head of Procurement will be accountable for developing and executing the global procurement strategy to ensure security of supply, cost competitiveness, quality compliance, supplier performance, and sustainable value creation across the organisation. The Head of Procurement will lead the development of strategic sourcing capabilities, supplier partnerships, procurement governance, category management, and risk management frameworks to support business growth and operational excellence. As part of the broader management team in Operations, the role will ensure procurement becomes a strategic competitive advantage through the delivery of best-in-class sourcing, supplier innovation, resilience, and value generation.

Key Accountabilities

• Procurement Leadership & Strategy: Develop and execute a global procurement strategy aligned to business growth, operational and financial objectives and Customer commitments. Establish a clear long-term vision for procurement supported by capability development, digitalisation and organisational effectiveness. Lead procurement transformation initiatives to drive procurement maturity. Act as a visible role model for company Values, leadership behaviours and governance standards. Build a high-accountability culture with clear ownership, decision making and performance management.
• Strategic Sourcing & Category Management: Develop and implement category strategies across direct materials, indirect spend, capital expenditure and services. Drive sourcing excellence through robust market intelligence, supplier analysis and competitive tendering. Lead supplier negotiations to achieve optimal commercial outcomes while maintaining quality and service standards. Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, standardisation and leverage across the organisation. Establish long-term sourcing strategies that support growth, innovation and resilience. Develop strategic partnerships with key suppliers to enhance performance, innovation and competitiveness. Establish supplier segmentation and governance frameworks. Drive supplier performance management through structured reviews, KPIs and development programmes. Ensure suppliers consistently meet quality, service, delivery and compliance requirements. Foster collaborative relationships that support business continuity and innovation.
• Cost Management & Value Creation: Deliver sustainable procurement savings and productivity improvements aligned with business objectives. Lead total cost of ownership approaches to sourcing and supplier management. Drive cost optimisation initiatives without compromising quality, compliance or continuity of supply. Develop robust cost models and benchmarking capabilities to support commercial decision making. Identify and capture value beyond price, including innovation, working capital improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Supply Risk Management & Business Continuity: Establish comprehensive supplier risk management and mitigation frameworks. Ensure robust continuity plans for critical materials, suppliers and services. Monitor geopolitical, market, regulatory and supply chain risks. Develop dual sourcing, inventory and contingency strategies where appropriate. Lead crisis response activities related to supplier disruptions and supply continuity risks.
• Quality, Compliance & Governance: Ensure procurement activities comply with all applicable regulatory, legal and corporate requirements. Review and enhance procurement governance frameworks, policies and controls. Ensure supplier qualification, auditing and performance monitoring processes are effective. Support GMP, GDP, ESG and regulatory compliance requirements across the supply chain. Maintain high standards of ethical sourcing and corporate governance. Drive excellence in procurement processes, systems and data management. Ensure effective use of procurement technologies, analytics and automation tools. Improve procurement efficiency through process simplification and standardisation. Develop reporting frameworks that provide actionable business insights.
• Sustainability & ESG: Integrate sustainability objectives into procurement strategy and supplier management programmes. Drive responsible sourcing initiatives and supplier sustainability improvements. Support ESG objectives through procurement policies and supplier engagement. Monitor and improve environmental, social and governance performance across the supplier base. Promote ethical sourcing and responsible business practices throughout the supply chain. Lead, coach and develop the Procurement Team. Build strategic procurement capability across the organisation. Drive employee engagement, performance management and talent development. Establish a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and collaboration.
• Governance, Risk & Financial Management: Ensure strong financial discipline and procurement governance. Manage procurement budgets and performance against agreed targets. Lead procurement risk management activities and escalation processes. Ensure compliance with delegated authority and contracting policies. Support enterprise risk management and business continuity planning.

Key Performance Indicators

• Procurement savings delivery versus target.
• Supplier On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) performance.
• Procurement cost reduction and value creation.
• Supplier risk and business continuity metrics.
• Working capital and inventory optimisation performance.
• Procurement maturity and capability development.
• Sustainability and ESG procurement objectives.

Qualifications

• Degree Educated – Science or Engineering, Supply chain / Procurement, Business, or degree level (or at least 5 years leading a Procurement Function).
• Experience working within quality supply chain and manufacturing operations, ideally in the pharmaceutical or highly regulated industry.
• Demonstrated change management capabilities.
• Exceptional leadership capability with proven experience leading procurement teams.
• Strong commercial negotiation and influencing skills, with excellent supplier relationship management and engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute long-term procurement strategies and drive Procurement governance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex supplier relationships globally.
• Strong financial and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinking ability while also being able to operate tactically as required.
• Proven experience leading transformation and change initiatives.
• Working knowledge of Health, Safety and Environment requirements & legislation.
• Experience in procurement within pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Experience dealing with contract manufacturing organisations.
• Basic understanding of commercial supply requirements within the veterinary pharmaceutical market.
• Continuous Improvement / Operational Excellence concepts and approaches.
• Digital procurement and automation experience.
• Advanced strategic sourcing expertise.
• Animal Health Industry experience & understanding.
• Sustainability and ESG programme leadership.
• Significant working knowledge of supply chain working practices & quality standards.

Additional Information

• Applicants should be able to provide proof that they have a right to work in the UK at the time of their application. Applicants who are unable to provide this proof will not be considered.
• We regret that applications received after the closing date and time will not be accepted.
• We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of a Visa at this time.

Benefits

• Free life assurance.
• Pension salary sacrifice scheme.
• 32 days annual leave (increasing with length of service).
• Wedding leave.
• Enhanced Maternity / Paternity Pay.
• Company Sick Pay.
• Subsidised Canteen Facilities.
• FREE On-site parking.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Free Will-Writing Service.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

Equal Opportunities

Norbrook Laboratories Limited employs a workforce with members of all sections of the community and is committed to appointing people purely on the basis of merit. In accordance with our equal opportunities policy, we would particularly like to welcome applicants from the Protestant Community.