At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Group Procurement and Supplier Management, collaborating with senior stakeholders to enhance procurement strategies.
- Company: Join Skipton Building Society, the UK's fourth largest mutual organisation focused on member satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25+ days annual leave, private medical insurance, and a vibrant office environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative team that values innovation and customer-centric approaches in finance.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in procurement within regulated sectors, strong leadership, and exceptional communication skills required.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are key; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
_ga – Expires after 2 years (1st party)
_ga_nnnnnnnnnn – Expires after 2 years (1st party)
Head of Group Procurement page is loaded
Head of Group Procurement
Apply locations Skipton, England time type Full time posted on Posted Yesterday job requisition id JR3389
Hours:
Full time, permanent
Closing Date:
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
We’ve got a great opportunity for an experienced Head of Group Procurement and Supplier Management to join our Finance Leadership team, reporting into our Group CFO.
The key purpose of this role is to build and lead Group Procurement and Supplier Management within Skipton Building Society, and the Group Insurance function across Skipton Group. However, you’ll also collaborate with senior stakeholders across the Skipton Group businesses to formulate Group-wide procurement strategies and initiatives in line with our Group ambitions.
For the Building Society you’ll focus on embedding our procurement transformation programme and our refreshed supplier management framework, enhancing, and evolving these as required to enable our corporate plan delivery. You’ll maximise purchasing power and minimise third party risk, oversee and approve key procurement activities and ensure we continue to meet our third-party regulatory obligations and Group insurance requirements. You will work as a key member of the Group Finance Leadership Team contributing to the finance function’s continuous development.
For Skipton Group you’ll build strong and effective relationships with senior stakeholders across the Group businesses, leading the development of procurement and supplier management best practices, enabling the Group to truly maximise purchasing power and deliver our corporate plan.
To be successful in this role you’ll need to be an experienced senior people leader with expertise in change management, cross-functional operations, indirect procurement and supplier management within a similar regulated sector. This would ideally be Financial Services, so you have experience of the FS landscape and regulatory requirements such as the management of material supplier relationships and regulatory reporting requirements.
In addition to technical excellence, the role requires strong business acumen and a track record of transformation delivery and building successful teams as well as exceptional communication and influencing skills due to the range of stakeholders you’ll interact with in this role.
Who Are We?
Not just another building society. Not just another job.
We\’re the fourth biggest building society in the UK and what makes us a bit different is that we\’re a mutual organisation. We don\’t have shareholders; we\’re owned by our members.
Our colleagues say Skipton\’s a great place to work, and you could be one of them, bringing with you new ideas on how we can keep customers at the heart of what we do.
Whatever your background, and whatever your goals, we\’ll help you take the next step towards a better future.
What’s In It For You?
Skipton values work/life balance and we are proud to support hybrid and flexible working, where possible. We have a newly refurbished head office which offers a vibrant and collaborative working space.
We have a range of other benefits available to you including;
-
Annual discretionary bonus scheme
-
25 days standard annual leave + bank holidays + rising 1 day per year of service to a maximum of 30 days
-
Holiday trading scheme allowing the ability to buy and sell additional annual leave days
-
Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10% per annum)
-
Colleague mortgage (conditions apply)
-
Salary sacrifice scheme for hybrid & electric car
-
A commitment to training and development
-
Private medical insurance for all our colleagues
-
3 paid volunteering days per annum
-
Diverse and inclusive colleague networks available for you to join including our Carers and Pride Alliance groups
-
We care about your health and wellbeing – we provide a range of benefits that support this including cycle to work initiative and discounted gym membership
What Will You Be Doing?
As our Head of Group Procurement and Supplier Management you’ll be responsible for formulating, communicating, and implementing the vision, mission, strategy and objectives of the Group Procurement and Supplier Management and Group Insurance functions in line with the overall goals of the Society. You’ll design and implement the third-party risk management policies, practices and reporting on behalf of the Group CFO.
Key accountabilities include:
-
Working collaboratively with colleagues from across the Group, reviewing and approving Group-wide category strategies, sourcing initiatives and savings targets.
-
Oversee category management performance and benefits realisation.
-
Establish and manage effective procurement governance and clearly accountable decision-making.
-
Oversee robust and consistent supplier management through the embedding of the revised supplier management framework within the Society and share and support implementation of proportionate supplier management practices in other Group companies.
-
Ensuring the Group’s insurance requirements are fit for purpose, cost effective, any claims are managed effectively and timeously and any renewals are managed to ensure continuity of coverage.
What Do We Need From You?
To be successful in this role you’ll need:
-
Significant experience of operating in a similar level procurement role in a regulated environment, ideally within the FS sector, with a proven track record of delivering strong results.
-
Advanced knowledge of supplier relationship management and procurement methodology, with the ability to act as the subject matter expert in a Group environment.
-
Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly interpret and concisely explain the impact on the Group of procurement matters
-
Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior and diverse stakeholder groups to an aligned direction.
-
Expert negotiation skills
-
Exceptional leadership skills, providing technical guidance, support and challenge and fostering an inclusive and dynamic team culture.
-
Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS)
Diversity and inclusion are a priority for us as we continue to support our members and represent the communities we serve. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, age, family or parental status, beliefs, nationalities and religions – supporting an inclusive environment for all our colleagues to bring their true selves to Skipton.
If you have a disability, or if you have a condition that you believe may affect your performance during our selection process, we’ll be happy to discuss making reasonable adjustments to our processes for you. Please contact our Talent Acquisition team at .
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Group Procurement employer: SBS Skipton Building Society
Contact Detail:
SBS Skipton Building Society Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Group Procurement
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the financial services sector, especially those involved in procurement. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and stakeholders who can provide insights into the role and the company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and best practices in procurement and supplier management, particularly within regulated environments. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying current in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led procurement transformations or managed supplier relationships in previous roles. Tailor your stories to highlight your leadership skills and ability to influence diverse stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Skipton Building Society's values and recent initiatives. Understanding their corporate plan and how procurement aligns with their goals will allow you to articulate how you can contribute to their success during discussions.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Group Procurement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement and supplier management, especially within regulated environments like Financial Services. Use specific examples to demonstrate your achievements and how they align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should not only express your interest in the Head of Group Procurement role but also showcase your understanding of Skipton Building Society's values and goals. Mention how your leadership skills and procurement expertise can contribute to their mission.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise key skills such as stakeholder management, negotiation, and change management. Provide concrete examples of how you've successfully led teams and implemented procurement strategies in previous roles.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Given the importance of communication in this role, ensure that your application reflects your ability to convey complex information clearly. Use concise language and structure your application logically to make it easy for the hiring team to follow your narrative.
How to prepare for a job interview at SBS Skipton Building Society
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of the Head of Group Procurement role. Familiarise yourself with procurement strategies, supplier management frameworks, and the specific challenges faced in the financial services sector.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this role requires exceptional leadership abilities, prepare examples that demonstrate your experience in leading teams, managing change, and fostering an inclusive culture. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully influenced stakeholders in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that assess your knowledge of procurement methodologies and supplier relationship management. Brush up on relevant regulations and best practices in the financial services industry to showcase your expertise.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Practice articulating complex procurement concepts clearly and concisely. Be prepared to explain how you would communicate procurement matters to diverse stakeholder groups within the organisation.