Head of Procurement (Indirect)
c.£115,000 - £130,000 + benefits
London | Hybrid (2-3 days per week in the office)
The Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to build and shape procurement in a well-established, multi-channel UK consumer with a much-loved brand and a long high-street heritage. Following a period of significant business change, the company is now investing in building a genuinely commercial, professional procurement function from the ground up - and is looking for a Head of Procurement to lead it, reporting into the CFO, owning all Indirect spend.
You'll take ownership of a broad, non-merchandise and indirect spend base, bring real commercial rigour to supplier relationships, and put in place the visibility, governance and tools the business needs to manage spend well.
This is a hands-on, build-it-yourself opportunity for someone who is just as comfortable personally leading a tough supplier negotiation as they are setting the strategy - and who wants the challenge (and reward) of establishing a function from an early stage, with scope to grow a team around them as they prove impact.
What You'll Be Doing
- Shaping and owning the strategy for indirect / non-merchandise spend, essentially from the ground up.
- Mapping the supplier and contract landscape - who is bought from, what is spent, who owns each relationship - and closing the visibility gaps that currently exist.
- Getting directly involved in high-value supplier negotiations to secure stronger commercial outcomes and strip out cost that isn't adding value.
- Interrogating current supplier deals - particularly in areas like professional services and marketing - and working closely with business leaders to challenge spend decisions constructively.
- Introducing the processes, governance, systems and contract-tracking discipline needed to manage third-party spend properly.
- Establishing procurement as a trusted, commercially-minded function, and growing a team around you as the remit expands.
What We're Looking For
- A background in senior procurement roles within retail or another consumer-facing sector, at a business of comparable size.
- Solid category experience in indirect spend, with particular strength in professional services and marketing.
- A track record you can point to of having personally negotiated with suppliers and delivered real, measurable commercial improvement.
- Comfortable making sense of patchy spend and supplier information, and turning it into something usable.
- Sharp commercial instincts, strong negotiation skills, and the confidence to push back on senior leaders when needed.
- Prior experience setting up or overhauling a procurement function - not just running one that's already established.
- A willingness to roll your sleeves up and get into the detail, balanced with the ability to think and plan strategically.
- Adaptability and pace, suited to a fast-moving retail environment.
Interested?
This is a confidential search. Further details about the business will be shared with shortlisted candidates. To find out more or to apply, please get in touch in confidence.
Head of Procurement in City of London employer: Stanton House
Stanton House is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Central London where innovation thrives. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides opportunities for professional development alongside competitive benefits, including equity options. The collaborative culture within the Customer Success team ensures that every Data Scientist can make a meaningful impact while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of London.
