At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and manage supplier relationships for cutting-edge AI infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join RHAELM, a pioneering AI cloud company transforming infrastructure across Europe and APAC.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Opportunity to build and lead a high-performing team in a rapidly evolving sector.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI deployment while ensuring commercial governance in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a relevant degree required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
About Rhaelm
RHAELM is the sovereign AI cloud built to accelerate AI deployment at scale. Solving the defining constraint of power availability, RHAELM delivers gigawatt-scale AI infrastructure pipelines across Europe and APAC – providing ring-fenced compute, networking, and storage optimised for high-performance AI workloads. Sovereignty is RHAELM's core operating model. Every deployment operates in-country with local personnel, giving enterprise and public-sector organisations operational control without compromising on cutting-edge technology. From bare metal and Kubernetes to AI as a Service, RHAELM puts power, infrastructure, and platform capability under the customer’s command.
This Role
As Head of Procurement and Commercial Management, you will lead procurement strategy and commercial governance across our infrastructure portfolio, ensuring contracts, suppliers, and cost positions are managed to the standard required in government, defence, and critical infrastructure delivery. You'll protect Sovereign AI commercially while enabling supplier partnerships that deliver complex, security-sensitive programmes at pace. You will own the end-to-end commercial lifecycle, from procurement strategy through contract negotiation to performance management.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and embed procurement and commercial strategies for major infrastructure programmes, aligned to UK public procurement regulations where applicable
- Lead end-to-end contract management, including negotiation, mobilisation, and ongoing supplier performance governance
- Own commercial governance, ensuring all contracts meet regulatory, legal, and sector-specific requirements
- Champion robust cost assurance, ensuring the portfolio operates with commercial discipline
- Manage commercial risk across the supply chain, including change control, claims, and dispute resolution
- Build and lead a high-performing procurement and commercial team
- Forge and manage long-term strategic supplier relationships, embedding contract terms that drive performance
- Partner with Legal, Finance, and Risk to ensure commercial positions are defensible and audit-ready
- Provide commercial input to bids, proposals, and client negotiations
Experience
- Substantial senior experience leading procurement and commercial functions on complex infrastructure, defence, or government programmes
- Strong working knowledge of UK public procurement regulations and standard forms of contract (NEC3/4 essential)
- Track record negotiating and managing high-value, multi-million-pound supplier contracts
- Experience building and leading a commercial or procurement team
- Demonstrated ability to manage commercial risk and drive improved contract performance
- Experience providing commercial input to bids and client negotiations in regulated or security-sensitive sectors
Skills
- Deep expertise in commercial models, including NEC3/4, target cost, and alliancing arrangements
- Strong negotiation skills, able to secure commercially sound outcomes while sustaining supplier relationships
- Excellent stakeholder management, with the impact and gravitas to influence at Board and client executive level
- Sound analytical and financial judgement, able to interrogate cost data and identify commercial risk
- Strong people leadership skills, with a track record of building capable commercial teams
- Clear, precise communication suited to contractual and governance contexts
Qualifications
- Degree in commercial management, quantity surveying, law, or a related discipline
- MCIPS, or equivalent chartered commercial/procurement accreditation, essential
- Eligible to obtain and hold UK security clearance (SC); existing clearance advantageous
Head of Procurement and Commercial Management in London employer: RHAELM
Rhaelm is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets compliance in the high-stakes world of AI infrastructure. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we provide comprehensive training and leadership opportunities, ensuring that our team members are equipped to excel in their roles. Located in the UK, we foster a culture of safety and collaboration, making it an ideal place for professionals passionate about making a significant impact in regulated sectors such as Government and Defence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement and Commercial Management 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 RHAELM.
✨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 Commercial Management 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 RHAELM:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to RHAELM. 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 RHAELM.
How to prepare for a job interview at RHAELM
✨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 RHAELM!
✨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 RHAELM. 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 RHAELM's culture.
