Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead SBFE’s Indirect Procurement strategy across Business, IT, and Marketing categories.
- Company: Join Suntory, a dynamic company focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment with a focus on work-life balance and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while working with inspiring leaders.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills required; procurement experience preferred.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion in a collaborative workplace.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Head of Indirects leads SBFE’s Indirect Procurement agenda across Business / IT and Marketing categories, with end‑to‑end accountability for strategy, sourcing, contracting, and performance delivery. Operating in a matrix organisation, this role ensures seamless execution between SBFE regional category teams and Global Category Heads (GHQ), while acting as a trusted business partner to market leadership. The role is accountable for optimising cost, quality, service, and risk, and for elevating Procurement’s impact on NSV, OI, and business performance. As a member of the SBFE Procurement Leadership Team (PLT), the role actively shapes the evolution of the procurement function and represents Procurement as SPOC (Single Point of Contact) for an assigned SBFE market.
What You’ll Do
- Category & Sourcing Leadership
- Own E2E (Coupa PR/PO System) procurement delivery for SBFE Indirect categories (BS/IT and Marketing)
- Translate business and market demand into clear category strategies aligned with SBFE and GHQ priorities
- Lead high‑value and complex sourcing, negotiations, and contracting activities
- Risk & Continuity
- Ensure robust BCP and risk mitigation plans are in place and communicated
- Proactively manage issues impacting service, cost, or reputation
- Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead, coach, and develop category teams across BS/IT and Marketing
- Build a strong performance culture in a fragmented, decentralized scope
- Act as Procurement SPOC for an assigned SBFE market and local ExCom
- Partner with stakeholders to ensure Procurement is embedded in key initiatives
- Balance global strategy alignment with local business needs
- Performance, Financials & Governance
- Deliver productivity, savings, and value contribution in line with budget commitments
- Track and report performance via agreed KPI dashboards
- Ensure compliance with purchasing policy, P2P processes, and internal controls
- Drive the Gemba mindset and Business Partnering focus for procurement
Success Measures
- Improved visibility and credibility of Procurement, Stakeholder satisfaction
- Development of high‑performing, engaged procurement teams
- Drive adoption of digital procurement tools, Coupa buying channels and e‑sourcing
- Champion procurement transformation initiatives (digital, ESG, compliance, process excellence)
- Promote a strong Gemba and business partnering mindset
What’s in it for you
Joining Suntory isn’t just about taking on a role, it’s about embarking on a career journey. You have the opportunity to work with talented, inspiring and authentic leaders and have the freedom to dream big and go for it (Yatte Minahare). At Suntory you’ll find a supportive work environment that values work life balance and that will help you realise your full potential and grow for good. Our People and Culture team genuinely care about creating a great experience for our employees and we would love you to be part of it.
What You need to be successful
- Ability to lead cross‑functional teams; sell and convince key stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Robust influencing & comms skills, ability to understand and communicate the market need (Gemba focus).
- Analytical mindset with a proactive approach to challenges, break down silo thinking and drive with teams’ owner’s mindset.
- Comfortable working in dynamic, ambiguous, fast‑paced matrix environments.
- Out‑of‑the‑box thinking.
- Self‑starter; autonomous operator.
- Align project goals with broader business objectives.
- Understanding of relevant technologies and systems; business mindset approach.
- Experience in the bottling drinks industry is preferred.
- Extensive procurement experience; professional demonstrating strong working knowledge from category management to operational procurement activities, and a knowledge of the importance of policy, process and systems on P2P.
- Proven track record in leading teams towards performance culture in a matrix org, and delivering results.
- Anticipate obstacles and barriers; plan mitigating solutions so as not to impact business performance.
- Drive efficiencies in WOW; push the team processes towards best in practice.
- Master ambiguity in a procurement matrix with GHQ and Regional matrix between functions and markets.
- Need to navigate this ambiguity and bring clarity.
- Lead, coach & mentor team members in their development.
- Prioritisation – this scope BS/IT & Marketing category is one of the most fragmented; requires clear ability to prioritise and structure the team, processes and ways of working to master this complexity and simplify.
Our DEI Commitment
At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or any other protected characteristic. Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.
SBFE Head of Procurement - Indirect in Uxbridge employer: Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I
Contact Detail:
Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SBFE Head of Procurement - Indirect in Uxbridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field, especially those who work at SBFE or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching SBFE’s recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to our goals and values. Tailor your answers to reflect our mission of 'Growing for Good'.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Head of Procurement role. Highlight your leadership skills and ability to navigate complex environments, as these are key to impressing us during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you on our radar and show us that you’re genuinely interested in joining the team. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace SBFE Head of Procurement - Indirect in Uxbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Procurement Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for procurement shine through! Talk about your experience in leading sourcing and negotiations, and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles. We want to see that you’re not just ticking boxes but genuinely excited about the impact you can make.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Head of Procurement role. Highlight your experience with indirect categories like BS/IT and Marketing, and how you've successfully navigated complex matrix environments. We love it when candidates connect their skills directly to what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to break down your achievements and skills. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially since strong written skills are key for this role. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Business/IT and Marketing categories. Understand the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in these areas. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight your ability to influence stakeholders and drive performance culture. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Emphasise Your Analytical Mindset
Be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex procurement challenges using data-driven insights. Share specific instances where your analytical skills led to improved outcomes, such as cost savings or enhanced service delivery.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Given the dynamic nature of the role, be prepared to talk about how you've navigated ambiguity in previous positions. Share examples of how you've prioritised tasks and simplified processes in a fragmented environment, showcasing your ability to thrive under pressure.