At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global sourcing strategy for HR and Professional Services, optimising value and minimising risk.
- Company: Dynamic organisation focused on innovative procurement solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for global collaboration.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities to influence senior stakeholders.
- Why this job: Shape sourcing decisions that impact financial performance and operational resilience.
- Qualifications: 16+ years in sourcing strategies, strong negotiation skills, and exceptional communication.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 130000 £ per year.
As Procurement Sourcing Senior Director, you will have end-to-end responsibility for global sourcing strategy across a large and complex portfolio within the Professional Services and Human Resources categories—including recruitment, benefits, contract labour, payroll services, consulting, insurance, and relevant advisory services. You will set long-term category strategies aligned with organisational priorities, regulatory requirements, and shifting market conditions. Acting as the senior commercial authority for these categories, you will shape sourcing decisions that impact financial performance, risk profile, and operational resilience. This role is focused entirely on category leadership and commercial strategy. You will lead supplier portfolio strategy, negotiation frameworks, governance structures, and value delivery across all regions, working closely with senior stakeholders in HR, Finance, Risk, Legal, and other functions.
Core Responsibilities
- Global Category Strategy & Commercial Leadership: Own the global sourcing strategy for HR and Professional Services categories. Develop forward-looking roadmaps based on market intelligence, regulatory changes, enterprise demand, and strategic priorities. Lead major negotiations, contract structuring, and supplier selection to optimise overall value and minimise risk.
- Supplier Portfolio Governance & Risk Management: Build and manage a global supplier ecosystem that balances scale, specialisation, operational resilience, and compliance. Define governance frameworks, KPIs, executive-level supplier reviews, and risk mitigation structures to protect service quality, cost discipline, and contractual integrity.
- Enterprise Stakeholder Partnership: Serve as the senior commercial partner to leaders across HR, Finance, Legal, Risk, and other functions. Align category strategy with organisational objectives, influence decisions, and manage complex trade-offs across regions and business units. Establish credibility in high-stakes commercial discussions.
- Value Creation & Demand Optimisation: Deliver measurable value through cost optimisation, supplier performance improvements, contract harmonisation, and structured demand management. Identify opportunities for innovation and improved service delivery across the supplier landscape.
- Market Intelligence & Category Innovation: Maintain deep knowledge of global market trends, supplier developments, regulatory shifts, and new delivery models across the HR and Professional Services ecosystem. Use insights to refine long-term category strategy and strengthen competitive positioning.
YOU’RE GOOD AT
- Setting organisation-wide category strategies and turning them into actionable sourcing plans across complex service portfolios.
- Leading high-value, complex negotiations across HR and Professional Services categories with a focus on commercial value, risk management, and long-term resilience.
- Providing senior-level leadership to cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, highly matrixed global environment.
- Influencing senior stakeholders and gaining alignment across multiple regions and business units, often without formal authority.
- Applying strong commercial judgement, using data and market insights to make balanced strategic trade-offs.
- Designing and overseeing supplier governance structures that ensure transparency, compliance, and effective risk management.
- Operating with executive presence and representing Procurement convincingly in senior-level discussions.
YOU BRING (EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS)
- Bachelor’s degree in a business-related or analytical field (e.g., Marketing, Economics, Accounting, Supply Chain). Advanced degrees (MBA, JD) or equivalent strategic sourcing experience are a plus.
- 16+ years of experience developing and delivering sourcing strategies across multiple categories within a complex, global organisation.
- Strong negotiation skills and commercial acumen.
- Exceptional communication skills with executive presence.
- Strong relationship-building abilities and experience influencing senior leaders in high-stakes scenarios.
- Pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach and a high degree of professionalism.
- Structured thinking with the ability to turn concepts into clear proposals or business cases.
- Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining strategic focus.
- Experience in both strategic and operational procurement initiatives.
- Exposure to supplier relationship management (SRM) programmes and supplier risk mitigation.
Purchasing Director in London employer: The Consultancy Group (London)
Contact Detail:
The Consultancy Group (London) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchasing Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We should be ready to discuss how our experience aligns with their needs, especially in areas like supplier governance and risk management.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Purchasing Director, showcasing your ability to lead high-value negotiations is key. We can role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Purchasing Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs for a Purchasing Director.
Showcase Your Achievements: Highlight your past successes in procurement and sourcing strategies. Use concrete examples that demonstrate your ability to lead negotiations and manage supplier relationships effectively, as these are key for us.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key points stand out and are easy to read.
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 ensure you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Consultancy Group (London)
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the HR and Professional Services categories. Understand the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in these areas. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can shape sourcing strategies that align with their organisational priorities.
✨Prepare for High-Stakes Negotiation Scenarios
Given the focus on leading complex negotiations, practice articulating your negotiation strategies and outcomes from past experiences. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you optimised value and managed risk effectively. This will showcase your commercial acumen and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading cross-functional teams and influencing decisions across various business units. Prepare anecdotes that demonstrate your ability to build relationships and gain alignment without formal authority. This is crucial for a role that requires collaboration with HR, Finance, and Legal.
✨Demonstrate Structured Thinking
Be prepared to present clear proposals or business cases during the interview. Use structured thinking to outline your approach to developing category strategies and managing supplier governance. This will reflect your ability to turn complex concepts into actionable plans, which is key for the role.