At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement to deliver value and innovation for communities.
- Company: Join Peabody, one of the UK's largest housing associations.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 30 days holiday, flexible benefits, and professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive and inclusive workplace that values diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while shaping procurement strategies and leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: MCIPS qualification and significant procurement leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Ready to lead and transform strategic procurement across one of the UK's largest housing Associations? Join us as Head of Strategic Procurement and help deliver value, innovation and social impact through our procurement and commercial strategies.
What You'll Do
- Provide strategic leadership across Peabody's procurement function, leading a team of Procurement Business Partners to deliver excellence, value for money and compliance across a significant and diverse spend portfolio.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across the organisation, shaping procurement strategies that support our investment ambitions, operational priorities and long-term business goals.
- Set the strategic direction for procurement across Peabody, delivering value for money, commercial excellence and organisational priorities.
- Manage and develop a high-performing procurement team, building capability and future talent.
- Partner with the Investment Directorate and senior stakeholders to deliver strategic procurement and contract management solutions.
- Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships and commercial frameworks that deliver value, innovation and high service standards.
- Ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, regulatory requirements, procurement best practice and internal governance frameworks.
- Drive procurement transformation, continuous improvement and adoption of digital solutions.
- Provide trusted commercial advice and influence decision-making at Executive and Leadership Team level.
- Foster strong stakeholder relationships, collaboration and a culture of accountability, inclusion and excellence.
What You'll Need
- MCIPS qualification (or equivalent experience) and significant procurement leadership experience within a complex, regulated environment. Ideally within the public sector.
- Proven success developing and delivering procurement strategies that achieve savings, value for money and service improvements.
- Strong knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023, procurement governance and commercial best practice.
- Experience leading complex procurement programmes across construction, maintenance, capital investment and services.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and challenge senior leaders constructively.
- Strong commercial acumen, analytical skills and the ability to balance strategic and operational priorities.
What We Offer
- Up to 30 days’ annual holiday, plus bank holidays.
- Two additional paid volunteering days each year.
- Flexible benefits scheme, including family friendly benefits and access to a discount portal.
- 4 x salary life assurance.
- Up to 10% pension contribution.
- Professional development and opportunities to broaden your experience.
Why Join Us?
When you join Peabody, you’re joining a team guided by our values, Be Kind, Do the Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity, Keep Our Promises, and Pull Together. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.
Please read before applying: Peabody does not provide sponsorship as a licensed UK employer. This advert will close on Monday 31st August. However, we reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Our Assessment Process
Our fair, inclusive and transparent recruitment process includes two stages of interviews which include in-person interviews. This will be held at our Westminster Bridge Road office on 15th and 16th September 2026.
If you have any questions about this role, please email Talent Specialist, Ryan Loasby at ryan.loasby@peabody.org.uk.
Head of Strategic Procurement in London employer: Peabody
At Peabody, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and inclusive work environment. As a Digital Marketing Executive, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful marketing campaigns that enhance the customer journey in the new homes sector across London and the Home Counties. With flexible benefits, additional volunteering days, and a strong commitment to employee growth and diversity, Peabody is dedicated to empowering its team members to thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Procurement in London
✨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 Peabody.
✨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 Strategic Procurement in London
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 Peabody:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Peabody. 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 Peabody.
How to prepare for a job interview at Peabody
✨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 Peabody!
✨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 Peabody. 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 Peabody's culture.
