Immediate Procurement Manager in Newhaven

Senior Procurement Manager Location: East Sussex (3/4 days onsite) Salary: Up to £80,000 depending on experience + 8% Bonus Overview I’m working on an exciting greenfield opportunity for a growing international fragrance business seeking to appoint a Senior Procurement Manger to develop their existing function. Part of a well-established, family-owned global group, the company develops fragrances for leading consumer brands across home fragrance, fine fragrance and personal care categories, with operations spanning Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. The business is investing heavily in its future, including a new flagship headquarters, advanced automation technology and continued international expansion. This is a high-profile leadership role offering the opportunity to transform and shape the procurement function, influence strategic decision-making, and work closely with senior stakeholders across the UK and wider global group. The successful candidate will inherit a capable team and a function with significant opportunity for optimisation and value creation. Role & Responsibilities Develop and execute procurement strategies across raw materials, ingredients, essential oils, aroma chemicals and packaging Lead, mentor and develop a small procurement team, embedding best practice and a culture of continuous improvement Drive strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations and contract management to deliver value, resilience and innovation Introduce structured procurement processes, competitive tendering and supplier performance management frameworks Improve inventory management and working capital performance, balancing supply security, lead times and commercial objectives Enhance cost forecasting, market intelligence and commercial modelling to support business decision-making Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders including Operations, Finance, Perfumery, Creative and Commercial teams Collaborate closely with the Group Purchasing function and international colleagues to leverage global capabilities and supplier opportunities Monitor supplier performance, risk and compliance within a regulated ingredients environment Provide regular reporting on procurement performance, savings initiatives and supplier developments Skills & Experience Proven procurement leadership experience within fragrances, flavours, specialty chemicals, ingredients or a related manufacturing environment Strong background in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiation, category management and procurement transformation Experience improving inventory performance, forecasting and working capital management Demonstrable success leading and developing procurement teams Commercially astute, analytical and confident influencing senior stakeholders Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively across technical, creative and commercial functions Experience operating in an international, multi-site environment is highly desirable Knowledge of regulated ingredients markets, IFRA, REACH or similar standards would be advantageous Most importantly, candidates will demonstrate curiosity, humility, learning agility and a collaborative leadership style Benefits ~ Competitive salary of £65,000 to £80,000 depending on experience ~8% annual bonus ~25 days' holiday plus bank holidays ~ Additional Christmas shutdown days ~ Company pension scheme ~ Hybrid working arrangement ~ On-site parking ~ International exposure and career development opportunities within a global group ~ Significant autonomy and the opportunity to shape and modernise a strategically important procurement function