At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform the analytics team to drive data-informed decision-making in procurement.
- Company: Join Roche, a global leader in healthcare innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: High-visibility role with potential for contract extension and career growth.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of personal expression and genuine connections.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare solutions while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in analytics, with strong technical and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.
In Roche's Global Procurement organization, we support Roche's goal of bringing innovative solutions and medicines to patients through business and supplier partnerships. We act as the bridge between Roche's business functions and our suppliers to understand their needs, find opportunities, and add value far beyond cost savings. Within Global Procurement, the Analytics & Insights function integrates internal procurement, financial, and operational data with external market and supplier intelligence to generate actionable insights that drive data-informed decision-making across sourcing, category management, supplier management, and business strategy.
As the Head of Procurement Analytics & Insights (Fixed-Term), you will provide strategic leadership and operational management of our analytics function during a 12-18 month leave coverage period. Your role is crucial in executing our current analytics roadmap while driving the organizational evolution toward a more insights-driven and decision-support-oriented team.
You will inherit an established team and strategy, but this is also an opportunity to accelerate transformation - evolving the team's capabilities, deepening stakeholder engagement, and shifting the organization's mindset toward proactive insights and data-informed decision-making.
You will guide the data-driven approach to procurement, driving insights, forecasting, and strategy to enhance the organization's sourcing, contracting, category management, and supplier management activities. You will oversee the business insights internal support service, develop and implement procurement analytics solutions, ensure data quality and governance, and provide actionable insights that support decision-making, cost savings, and efficiency improvements. You bring technical skills, strategic thinking, and expertise in procurement processes to influence and shape business outcomes.
The Opportunity:
- Leadership & Transformation: Provide strategic and operational leadership for the analytics team during a 12–18 month coverage, evolving it from operational reporting into a proactive, insights-driven unit
- Strategy & Execution: Execute the established Global Procurement analytics roadmap while partnering with Procurement Enablement and IT on enterprise data initiatives (e.g., D2P data mesh)
- Advanced Analytics: Oversee spend analysis, predictive modeling, and cost/risk tracking to enhance sourcing, contracting, and category management outcomes
- Data Governance & Tech: Strengthen data governance, integrate ERP/non-ERP systems, and evaluate modern tech (AI, ML, RPA, Snowflake) to build scalable, automated solutions
- Stakeholder Engagement: Position the analytics team as a trusted partner to Finance, IT, and business leaders, turning complex data into clear, actionable decision-support strategies
- Team Continuity: Mentor staff, develop emerging leaders, and ensure seamless knowledge transfer for sustainable improvements beyond your tenure
Who you are
- Experience: 10+ years in analytics/data science, with 5+ years managing teams within a global, matrixed organization
- Education: Master’s degree in Business, Data Science, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent extensive practical experience)
- Technical Skills: Proficiency with analytical and visualization tools (Python, R, SQL, Tableau, Power BI) and procurement systems (SAP Ariba, Coupa)
- Core Competencies: Strong change leadership, business acumen, and the ability to translate complex data for non-technical senior executives
What the Role Offers
- Scope & Autonomy: High-visibility 12–18 month fixed-term role with the autonomy to drive meaningful digital transformation and process evolution
- Future Potential: Opportunity for contract extension or transition into permanent roles across the broader Roche organization based on performance
Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Head of Procurement Analytics & Insights (temp. 12-18 months) in Welwyn employer: Roche
Roche is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of pharmaceutical innovation. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for mentorship and professional development, fostering a culture of curiosity and collaboration. Our location enables access to cutting-edge resources and a diverse team, empowering you to make a meaningful impact on global healthcare challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement Analytics & Insights (temp. 12-18 months) in Welwyn
✨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 Analytics & Insights (temp. 12-18 months) in Welwyn
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 Roche 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, Roche 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 Roche 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 Roche 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 Roche
✨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.
