At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement transformation initiatives and optimise processes for global supply management.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company focused on sustainable procurement excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving change in procurement and sustainability.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years in procurement or supply chain with strong analytical skills.
The Procurement Excellence Manager is responsible for leading the development and execution of procurement capabilities, processes, and transformation initiatives across the global supply management organization. This role is a critical enabler of procurement maturity and is expected to drive meaningful, sustainable change within the procurement function and across the broader ETS business.
Reporting into Procurement leadership, the Procurement Excellence Manager will serve as a flexible transformation leader, partnering across procurement, supply chain, planning, operations, finance, engineering, quality, sustainability, and site leadership to identify improvement opportunities, build scalable processes, increase performance visibility, strengthen controls, and support more disciplined business decision‑making. This role oversees key areas including process optimization, data and analytics, governance and policy, and supplier sustainability & development.
The position acts as a central enabler to Category Management, Sourcing, and Planning teams, ensuring the organization operates with consistency, transparency, and discipline while advancing toward a more strategic, data‑driven, and value‑focused procurement model. Success will depend on the ability to define problems, build alignment, develop practical solutions, and drive adoption across a decentralized, global organization.
Key Performance Indicators for the role include:
- Procurement savings tracking accuracy and reporting visibility
- Process adoption and compliance to procurement standards
- Audit outcomes and closure of corrective actions
- Supplier sustainability and compliance performance
- Data quality and analytics utilization
- Delivery of transformation initiatives
- Measurable improvements in procurement process maturity
Your Responsibilities:
- Define and lead the Procurement Excellence roadmap aligned to business objectives and organizational maturity goals
- Establish standardized processes, tools, and ways of working across global procurement
- Identify capability gaps and implement solutions to improve efficiency, effectiveness, scalability, and decision quality
- Partner with procurement leadership to prioritize transformation initiatives and build the foundational capabilities needed for a more strategic procurement organization
- Support the development of procurement skills, tools, and governance models that enable category management, sourcing, supplier management, and planning effectiveness
Transformation & Enterprise Improvement Initiatives:
- Lead high-priority procurement transformation projects that improve cost management, supplier performance, process discipline, compliance, and business visibility
- Partner across supply chain, planning, operations, finance, engineering, quality, and sustainability to identify opportunities for process improvement and value creation
- Translate complex business problems into structured workplans, clear deliverables, and actionable improvement roadmaps
- Drive cross-functional alignment and change adoption across global sites and business functions
- Support broader ETS improvement initiatives where procurement process, supplier performance, data, or governance are key enablers
Data, Analytics & Performance Improvement:
- Establish and manage procurement KPIs, dashboards, and reporting frameworks
- Partner with Finance and Procurement teams to ensure accurate tracking of savings, cost avoidance, and performance metrics
- Develop data-driven insights to support decision making and identify improvement opportunities
- Support implementation and optimization of analytics tools (e.g., AI, Power BI, procurement systems)
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to streamline workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, reduce process variation, and increase service level to our stakeholders
- Drive adoption of best practices across regions and sites
Governance, Policy & Compliance:
- Define and maintain procurement policies, standards, and governance frameworks
- Establish clear expectations for procurement process compliance, documentation, approvals, and decision rights
- Partner with Category Management, Sourcing, Finance, Legal, and site teams to improve adherence to procurement policies and controls
- Monitor compliance and support corrective actions where process gaps or control weaknesses are identified
Supplier Sustainability & Development Oversight:
- Oversee supplier sustainability, ESG, and development programs across the supply base
- Ensure alignment with corporate sustainability goals and regulatory requirements
- Manage direct reports, including Supplier Sustainability and Development Analyst
- Support the development of supplier assessment, onboarding, performance, and development processes
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Change Leadership:
- Partner with Category Management, Planning, Operations, Finance, Quality, and Sustainability teams to drive procurement maturity and business improvement
- Drive change management and adoption of new processes, tools, and ways of working
- Act as a key interface between procurement and enterprise functions to ensure alignment, transparency, and execution discipline
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field
- 5-7+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or operations
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional improvement initiatives from problem definition through implementation
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to translate data into practical business insights
- Experience developing processes, governance models, dashboards, reporting, or performance management frameworks
- Ability to influence and drive change across a decentralized, global, matrixed organization
- Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complex information for different audiences
- Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, prioritize competing needs, and adapt as business priorities
Preferred:
- Experience in procurement transformation, process improvement, or governance roles
- Experience with procurement systems and analytics tools (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Ariba, Coupa, Power BI)
- Experience using, or strong interest in learning, AI-enabled tools to improve procurement processes, analytics, reporting, automation, and decision support
- Exposure to supplier sustainability, ESG programs, or compliance frameworks
- Experience supporting audits or working within controlled environments
- Lean / Six Sigma or continuous improvement certification or experience
Procurement Excellence Manager employer: Spirax-Sarco Engineering
At Chromalox, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises inclusivity and equal opportunities. As the Head of Commercial Operations, you will thrive in a collaborative environment where your expertise will directly influence customer satisfaction and operational excellence, all while benefiting from robust professional development opportunities and a commitment to employee well-being in a supportive setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Excellence Manager
✨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 Spirax-Sarco Engineering.
✨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 Procurement Excellence Manager
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 Spirax-Sarco Engineering:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Spirax-Sarco Engineering. 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 Spirax-Sarco Engineering.
How to prepare for a job interview at Spirax-Sarco Engineering
✨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 Spirax-Sarco Engineering!
✨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 Spirax-Sarco Engineering. 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 Spirax-Sarco Engineering's culture.
