At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop the procurement function, focusing on cost optimisation and supplier relationships.
- Company: SJP is a forward-thinking company passionate about excellence, innovation, and autonomy.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive leave, bonuses, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Office presence required 2 days a week; travel to London as needed.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team, drive impactful decisions, and foster a high-performance culture.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years in senior procurement roles with leadership experience; advanced degree preferred.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 € per year.
Are you ready to chart your own career path? At SJP we need talented individuals like yourself to support our evolving culture. If you’re seeking an employer that is passionate about excellence, innovation and autonomy, SJP could be the place for you.
At a glance:
- Location: Cirencester Office
- Workplace Type: Hybrid
- Employment Type: Permanent
- Seniority: Director
The role:
This person will lead, manage and develop the SJP procurement function, identifying and driving cost optimisation, reducing expenses and maximising value extraction in all procurement divisions. The role holder will focus on creating a healthy tension between functionality and cost, ensuring efficient use of resources and leading a team of 10+ procurement specialists. This individual will be an enabler in the business, always acting within the defined risk appetite while maintaining strong supplier relationships and ensuring the effective implementation and use of third-party policies and onboarding frameworks and processes.
What you'll be doing:
- Cost Optimisation and Value Extraction: Ensure that cost optimisation and maximum value extraction are central to all procurement decisions. Lead initiatives to drive cost reductions while maintaining high standards of quality, functionality, and delivery.
- Risk Management: Act as a strategic enabler for the business, ensuring all procurement decisions align with the company’s defined risk appetite. Provide guidance and ensure compliance with risk management protocols.
- Sourcing Strategy: Foster a culture of balanced decision-making, creating a healthy tension between functionality and cost in all sourcing decisions. Continuously analyse and review sourcing strategies to ensure competitiveness and efficiency.
- Resource Efficiency: Champion the efficient use of procurement resources, ensuring that the team’s efforts are aligned with the company’s broader strategic goals. Streamline processes, eliminate waste, and improve the overall productivity of the procurement team.
- Supplier Performance Management: Own and set the company’s supplier performance framework. Establish clear performance metrics and ensure the procurement team is working collaboratively with the business to ensure that suppliers are fulfilling their obligations.
- Third-Party Policy Ownership: Lead the ownership and continuous improvement of the company’s third-party policy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements. Own the third-party onboarding framework and process, ensuring a seamless, efficient experience for all suppliers.
- Leadership & Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of 11 procurement specialists. Foster a high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement, professional development, and achieving department and company goals.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with key internal stakeholders to ensure procurement strategies are aligned with broader business objectives. Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on procurement matters.
Who we're looking for:
The ideal candidate will be a commercial leader with a deep understanding of developing and implementing procurement strategies that optimise costs, value and align with SJP’s overall strategic goals. They will have proven experience (5-10 years) in senior procurement roles with leadership and transformational responsibilities. They are likely to have an advanced degree or professional qualification e.g. MCIPS. They will have in-depth knowledge of market trends, supplier capabilities and sourcing strategies to ensure competitiveness and efficiency. They will have in-depth knowledge of risk management frameworks and their application within procurement to ensure decisions stay within defined risk appetites and knowledge of regulatory and legal compliance requirements affecting procurement practices. They will have expertise in developing/managing a comprehensive supplier performance framework, knowledge of contract management practices and strong knowledge of third-party risk management. They will combine expert negotiation skills with creative problem-solving skills and proven ability at leading and mentoring a high-performance team.
Special Requirements:
The role holder will need to be in the office 2 days per week and travel to London as required.
What’s in it for you?
We reward you for the work you do, whether that’s through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), or online rewards platform with a variety of discounts. We also have benefits to support whatever stage of life you are in, including:
- Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
- Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
- 10% non-contributory pension (increasing with length of service)
Reasonable Adjustments:
We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all. If you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us.
Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.
What’s next?
If you’re excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking ‘apply’ below and our team will be in touch.
Procurement Divisional Director employer: St. James's Place
At SJP, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and autonomy, making us an exceptional employer for those looking to advance their careers in procurement. Located in the picturesque Cirencester, our hybrid work model offers flexibility while our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, including competitive parental leave and a generous pension scheme. Join us to lead a high-performance team and make a meaningful impact within a supportive and dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Divisional Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with SJP's procurement strategies and recent initiatives. Understanding their approach to cost optimisation and supplier performance management will help you engage in meaningful discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of SJP, especially those in procurement roles. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and implemented procurement strategies in previous roles. Highlighting your leadership experience and problem-solving skills will demonstrate your fit for the Director position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the latest trends in procurement and risk management. Being able to discuss these topics intelligently will show that you're proactive and knowledgeable, making you a more attractive candidate for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Divisional Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement and leadership roles. Focus on achievements that demonstrate your ability to optimise costs and manage supplier relationships, as these are key aspects of the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your passion for procurement and how your skills align with SJP's values. Mention specific examples of how you've driven cost optimisation and value extraction in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:If you have an advanced degree or professional qualifications like MCIPS, make sure to prominently feature these in your application. This will help demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field.
Showcase Leadership Experience:Since the role involves leading a team, emphasise your leadership experience. Provide examples of how you've mentored teams, fostered high-performance cultures, and achieved departmental goals in your previous positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at St. James's Place
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of the Procurement Divisional Director role. Familiarise yourself with SJP's procurement strategies, cost optimisation goals, and risk management frameworks. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
As this role involves leading a team of procurement specialists, be prepared to discuss your leadership style and past experiences. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed teams, driven performance, and fostered a culture of continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about past challenges you've faced in procurement and how you navigated them, particularly in relation to cost optimisation and supplier management.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your stakeholder engagement skills by discussing how you've collaborated with various departments in previous roles. Be ready to explain how you would act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on procurement matters, ensuring alignment with broader business objectives.
