At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop procurement strategies, manage teams, and optimise costs.
- Company: Established organisation in the Midlands with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: 12-month fixed term contract with leadership opportunities and professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and enhance your career in a complex public sector environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in procurement while driving value and compliance.
- Qualifications: Senior-level procurement experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
I am delighted to be working with a well established organisation, based in the Midlands, seeking an interim Head of Procurement. The role will be an initial 12 month fixed term contract, to ensure that procurement activities align with the organisation's goals, deliver value for money, and comply with relevant regulations. The position requires a strong focus on cost optimisation, supplier relationship management, and operational efficiency. The role has leadership responsibilities and the post-holder will be required to manage 3 Senior Category managers and teams, and drive collaboration with customers and stakeholders to ensure that individual group category strategies are delivering and continue to be aligned to the Group Strategy.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Leading and developing the Procurement Team in delivering international procurement category strategy on behalf of Group.
- Responsible for challenging and approving group category strategies for a number of Senior Category managers and ensuring that the strategies are delivered.
- Identify opportunities for cost savings and value creation through strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations.
- Manage and mentor the procurement team, fostering a culture of customer service excellence and innovation.
- Provide training and support to staff on procurement best practices and systems.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure procurement effectiveness.
- Conduct regular supplier evaluations to ensure quality, reliability, and compliance.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with local, national, and international regulations.
- Act as the organisation’s definitive expert on UK public procurement legislation, ensuring all tendering, contract management, and award procedures fully comply with the Procurement Act 2023 and updated financial thresholds.
- Monitor and report on procurement performance, identifying areas for improvement.
Experience
- Significant senior-level experience leading a procurement function, ideally within a complex public sector environment.
- A proven track record of designing and executing procurement strategies that deliver measurable commercial savings and operational efficiencies.
- Extensive experience running high-value, complex tender processes (above and below threshold) from specification design to contract award.
- Demonstrable experience managing and developing high-performing, multidisciplinary teams.
Skills & Knowledge
- Public Sector Expertise: Exceptional working knowledge of UK public procurement legislation, specifically the practical application of the Procurement Act 2023 and current transparency mandates.
- Commercial Acumen: A sharp, commercially focused mindset with the ability to spot market opportunities and negotiate robust, value-driven contracts.
- Communication: Outstanding negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex legislative requirements into practical, commercial advice for non-procurement professionals.
- Problem Solving: Highly analytical with the ability to manage complex supply chain disruptions and balance rigid compliance with the need for commercial agility.
Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience.
- Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (MCIPS) is highly desirable.
Interim Head of Procurement in Leicester employer: Trinity House Group
Trinity House Group is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation in the heart of Derby. With opportunities for professional growth and a competitive benefits package including 25 days holiday and a discretionary bonus, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Head of Procurement in Leicester
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of Procurement in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Trinity House Group that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Trinity House Group can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Trinity House Group that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Trinity House Group know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Trinity House Group
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
