Do you enjoy setting strategy and influencing decisions across a large business? Are you passionate about building strong teams, developing supplier partnerships and delivering commercial value? Would you like a senior leadership role where you can make a lasting impact? If so, this could be the perfect opportunity. At Samworth Brothers, procurement is at the heart of our success. It helps us protect supply, manage risk, control costs and support growth across the business. As Group Procurement Director, you will lead the Group Procurement function and oversee procurement across direct ingredients, packaging, indirect goods and services, and capital expenditure. You will play a key role in shaping business strategy and ensuring procurement delivers long-term value. Working closely with the Group Executive Board, you will set the direction for procurement across the Group. You will lead and inspire the Procurement Leadership Team, build strong relationships with suppliers and customers, and work alongside senior leaders across the business. This is a highly visible leadership role for an experienced procurement professional who can think strategically, influence at senior level and deliver results in a fast-paced, customer-focused manufacturing environment. You will have the opportunity to shape the future of procurement at Samworth Brothers. Through your leadership, you will strengthen capability, drive value, improve resilience and help the business respond to changing market conditions.
- Set the strategic direction for procurement across the Group.
- Develop and deliver the Group-wide procurement strategy.
- Build a procurement structure that supports future business needs.
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing procurement leadership team.
- Create category strategies that support operational, commercial and financial objectives.
- Develop supplier partnerships that improve value, quality and supply resilience.
- Work with senior stakeholders and customers to understand business requirements.
- Provide expert advice to the Group Executive Board on sourcing risks, opportunities and market trends.
- Monitor economic, market and regulatory changes that may affect the business.
- Establish clear reporting and governance frameworks.
- Lead major supplier negotiations and complex commercial agreements.
- Drive continuous improvement across procurement processes, systems and ways of working.
We believe success comes from collaboration and diverse perspectives. At Samworth Brothers, we value team players who are driven to achieve great results together.
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- A professional procurement qualification, such as MCIPS, or equivalent experience.
- Significant senior procurement leadership experience, ideally within the chilled food manufacturing sector.
- Strong expertise in strategic sourcing, category management and contract negotiation.
- Experience working in a category-led procurement environment.
- A track record of leading procurement across a large, multi-site organisation.
- Evidence of shaping and delivering a strategic procurement agenda in a complex business.
- Strong supplier relationship management skills and the ability to turn market insight into commercial advantage.
- Excellent leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery.
Samworth Brothers is a fourth-generation family business, trusted by many of the UK's best-known retailers to produce high-quality own-label products. Alongside these, we're proud to craft and deliver our own iconic brands, including Ginsters, Soreen, Higgidy, Dickinson & Morris, Urban Eat, West Cornwall Pasty Company, and Walker & Son.
With over 10,000 talented colleagues working across our modern, well-invested food manufacturing sites nationwide, we're committed to excellence in everything we do-from the food we make to the careers we build. At Samworth Brothers, you're more than just an employee, you are part of our strong family culture. Our collaborative approach and strong team spirit help us support one another and achieve great things together. As part of a well-established group, we offer stability, opportunity, and a place where you can truly thrive.
We're building a workplace where different ways of thinking are not just welcomed but supported, with clear communication, flexible processes, and a commitment to continuous improvement so everyone can thrive.
- Company pension scheme
- Private Health Scheme
- Employee discount scheme
- Experience annual pay reviews
- Profit related pay
- Opportunity for extended leave
- Car or Car Allowance
- Unlock your potential through training and growth opportunities
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Group Procurement Director in Leicester employer: Samworth Brothers
At Samworth Brothers, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, while our commitment to employee development ensures that you have ample opportunities for growth within the finance team. Located in a vibrant area, we offer a supportive environment where your contributions are valued, making this role not just a job, but a meaningful career path.
