Senior Purchasing Leader

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the global procurement strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and production plans.
• Provide direct leadership to an international purchasing and procurement team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and high performance.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, negotiating strategic agreements that deliver the best value in cost, quality and delivery.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs through supplier consolidation, alternative sourcing strategies and process improvements.
• Monitor global market trends and proactively adapt sourcing strategies to strengthen supply chain resilience.
• Lead purchasing budget management, ensuring effective cost control and accountability across the function.
• Oversee the ERP / MRP purchasing system, maintaining data integrity and ensuring purchasing activities are aligned with production schedules.
• Work closely with Supply Chain, Operations, Production Planning and R&D to support business priorities, inventory optimisation and successful new product introductions.
• Develop supplier risk mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply for critical materials and components.
• Monitor supplier performance and procurement KPIs, driving continuous improvement across the global supplier network.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, legal requirements and industry standards while supporting sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Support the purchasing lifecycle for product discontinuation and replacement strategies, This is an opportunity to take ownership of a global procurement function within a growing international business where your expertise will directly influence operational performance and long-term success.

You will work alongside experienced leaders, shape global sourcing strategies, strengthen supplier partnerships, and help deliver innovative solutions to customers across the laboratory and life sciences sectors.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading global procurement or purchasing functions within a complex international organisation.
• A proven track record of developing sourcing strategies, negotiating high value supplier agreements and delivering measurable cost and operational improvements.
• Experience managing international teams and large procurement budgets in a technical manufacturing environment.
• A background within laboratory instrumentation, scientific equipment, medical devices or a related industry.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to anticipate market trends and build long term supplier partnerships.
• Expertise in ERP/MRP systems and modern procurement tools.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical, problem solving and decision making abilities.
• A Master's degree, CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply, or an equivalent qualification.
• Fluent English (additional languages are advantageous).
• A full UK driving licence.
• Willingness to travel internationally as business needs require.

Company

Veolia Group is a global leader in environmental services, operating across all five continents with nearly 218,000 employees. Specialising in water, energy, and waste management, Veolia Group designs and implements innovative solutions for decarbonisation, depollution, and resource regeneration, supporting communities and industries in their ecological transformation.

Veolia brings together a dedicated team of experienced professionals committed to tackling the world's most complex challenges related to water scarcity, quality, productivity, and energy. Together, we pursue a shared mission to create a more sustainable future.

Contract & Working Hours

• Permanent
• Full-time
• Monday - Friday 37 hours
• 25 Annual Leave + UK Bank Holidays (with option to buy / sell!)

Benefits

• Company Bonus Scheme
• Company Car or Cash Allowance
• Pension Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• Access to a Private GP and much more!
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being, work-life balance, and long-term security.
• You’ll enjoy 25 days of annual leave to recharge, while our enhanced pension scheme ensures a strong foundation for your future.
• We are partnered with a great benefits provider to offer you exclusive discounts and recognition programs.
• Maintain your eye health and stay protected with our eye care and flu vouchers.
• Take advantage of our wellbeing services, including 24/7 access to virtual GP consultations, and refer a friend to be in with a chance of being rewarded for helping us grow our teams with talented individuals.
• That's not all… you also have the option to enrol in a range of flexible benefits, including BUPA Private Medical Insurance, Buy / Sell Annual Leave, Group Income Protection, Dental and Travel Insurance.
• You can also opt for Group Life Assurance and Critical Illness cover for both you and your partner, for added peace of mind.
• And lastly you can take advantage of Personal Computer, Car Leasing and Cycle to Work Schemes to further enhance your lifestyle.