Head of Procurement in Andover

Head of Procurement in Andover

Andover Temporary 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Rich Products Corporation

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and manage supplier relationships to drive cost savings.
  • Company: Join Rich Products, a family-owned global leader in the food industry.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, paid time off, and unique perks like in-house taste tests.
  • Other info: Fixed-term contract with opportunities for professional growth and community involvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment focused on innovation and sustainability.
  • Qualifications: Extensive procurement experience, strong negotiation skills, and leadership capabilities required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

  • Head of Procurement
  • Custom Field 2: 40998
  • Category: Procurement

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family‑owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities.

From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world.

Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size.

Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in‑store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others.

With more than 13,500 associates working globally in 100 locations and annual sales of $5.9 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible.

Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities.

One Family.

Purpose Statement

The Head of Procurement is responsible for all direct and indirect strategic areas, leading the buying team to achieve procurement goals and objectives, supporting and guiding the Category Managers across all aspects of procurement activity.

Support the creation of category sourcing strategies to identify best‑in‑class suppliers who have the ability to deliver and exceed our expectations through use of SRM activities.

Ensure pipeline projects that deliver value for money are executed at speed to provide much‑needed future cost savings for the business across short and long term planning horizons.

Discover effective ways to reduce cost across the supply base utilising TCO opportunities that directly affect ROCS projects and key target deliverables within the procurement arena.

Creation of the 2025‑26 procurement strategic plan across the four pillars: Indirect P2P, SRM, Risk Management, and Leveraging Digital capabilities & analytics.

This role is for a fixed‑term contract of 12 months.

Responsibilities

  • Member of the Global Procurement Steering Team creating strategic procurement direction across the globe.

Strategic procurement planning contribution and creation in alignment with the local UK BU.

  • Providing procurement guidance, expertise, support, knowledge across Bakery, F’real and TCCS (Toppings, Creams and Culinary Solutions).
  • Creation and implementation of procurement strategies and best practice.
  • Keeping abreast of commodity markets, attending WHQ commodity updates, networking within the industry to ensure timely, cost‑effective contracts are covered.
  • Responsible for the buying of strategic commodities: chocolate, buyer, flour, cocoa, F’real milkshake co‑manufacturer.
  • Support the creation of effective sourcing strategies for all categories of spend across the Kraljic grid.
  • Regular ROCS and Flash reporting on a monthly basis is timely, accurate and reflective of the procurement decisions undertaken.
  • Develop and maintain high levels of strategic relationships with suppliers resolving complex issues.
  • Responsible for the legal supply contracts, the creation and agreement of all legal agreements with suppliers. Any conflicting legal pressures from suppliers, HOP resolves.
  • Focus on developing ways to extract innovation from key suppliers via the use of innovation days, site visits, regular R&D communications.
  • Track and report key functional metrics to ensure KPI targets are met.
  • Become involved in important negotiations with suppliers particularly in deadlock situations, resolving the issue at hand whilst maintaining supplier relations.
  • Drive the use of E‑auctions / multiple tenders / benchmarking activities / RFIs, using Ariba as the platform of choice to determine best value across all categories.
  • Identify and help execute the most appropriate risk management tools for products or categories at potential future risk.
  • Working with the Sustainability Associates in the US and local R&D create supplier documentation and project deliverables linked to our requirements with key milestones and dates mapped out for critical sustainable category areas that will have a profound affect on our ability to service customers in the future.
  • Provide support to other departments and carry out any other duties as necessary to support the wider business.
  • You must comply with Rich Products Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times.
  • Knowledge / Skills / Experience
  • Deep and extensive level of procurement knowledge and experience across FMCG categories.
  • Excellent negotiation skills.
  • Strategic procurement thinking agility.
  • Knowledge of risk management strategies.
  • Strong ability to keep calm under pressure.
  • Strong leadership capabilities.
  • Knowledge of SRM tools and techniques.
  • Contract law knowledge.
  • Knowledge of sourcing and procurement techniques as well as a dexterity in reading the market.
  • Results driven.
  • People orientated, ability to motivate and engage.
  • Through understanding of all procurement tender processes.
  • Experience of leading, managing and motivating teams.
  • Experience of delivering procurement strategies.
  • Ariba knowledge.
  • Ideally from a food/bakery background, FMCG.
  • MCIPS qualified.
  • Proven record of sustained delivery of cost savings and cost avoidance achievements.
  • Risk Management expertise.

Rich Products Corporation welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Bringing Your Best Self to Work

As a family‑owned company, caring for our associates—their whole selves—is a top priority.

That’s why we provide benefits and tools to help our people balance the integration of work and life:

  • Competitive compensation
  • Paid time off
  • Parental leave
  • Family planning support
  • Associate resource groups
  • Volunteering & community impact opportunities Holiday gatherings In‑house taste tests (we are a food company after all)

It’s all part of how we support our family of associates. Because in the company of family, all things are possible.

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Head of Procurement in Andover employer: Rich Products Corporation

Rich Products Corporation is an exceptional employer located in Andover, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises food safety and quality compliance. Employees benefit from competitive compensation, generous paid time off, and opportunities for community engagement, all while working in a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and development in the food manufacturing sector.

Rich Products Corporation

Contact Details:

Rich Products Corporation Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement in Andover

Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups

Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!

Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!

Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.

Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles

Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!

Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks

Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Procurement in Andover

Procurement Knowledge
Negotiation Skills
Strategic Procurement Thinking
Risk Management Strategies
Leadership Capabilities
SRM Tools and Techniques
Contract Law Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Rich Products Corporation that you can hit the ground running!

Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Rich Products Corporation can quickly grasp your capabilities!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Rich Products Corporation that you're serious about your professional development.

Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Rich Products Corporation know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!

How to prepare for a job interview at Rich Products Corporation

Know Your Procurement Basics

Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.

Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability

Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!

Show Off Your Tech Savvy

Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.