At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement for our Ireland manufacturing plants and drive cost-saving initiatives.
- Company: Join Vertiv, a leader in critical infrastructure solutions with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to work in a multinational environment with excellent growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing team while shaping procurement strategies.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in procurement, leadership experience, and strong supplier management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The dedicated, on-the-ground procurement lead for Vertiv's Ireland SWGBB manufacturing plants - sites representing significant and growing revenue contribution to the EMEA business. This role combines plant-embedded leadership with deep technical understanding of SWGBB components, cost reduction execution, and the ability to build procurement infrastructure that supports production plans and commercial ambitions.
Calibrated at Senior Manager level: managing the Ireland procurement team, leading daily interface with plant operations, engineering and quality, and executing procurement strategy within the SWGBB category cluster. The role translates strategy into operational excellence at site level, requiring deep execution competence, strong supplier relationship management, and the ability to lead a growing team.
Responsibilities:
- Plant Procurement Leadership: Lead all procurement activities for the Ireland SWGBB plant, including supplier selection, contracting, and support daily operations. Act as the single point of accountability for site procurement performance, reporting to the VP Procurement EMEA and partnering closely with the Plants Director. Ensure full compliance with Vertiv global standards, policies, and ethics.
- Team Leadership & Development: Lead and scale the Ireland procurement hub, setting objectives, conducting reviews, building succession plans, and developing technical and commercial capabilities. Foster a high-performance, accountable culture aligned with Vertiv leadership standards, including recruitment for new roles.
- Cost Reduction & Value Delivery: Drive an annual cost reduction program through re-tendering, should-cost modelling, value engineering, payment term optimisation, and scrap reduction. Deliver 3-5% savings via a structured pipeline and report monthly to the VP Procurement EMEA.
- Supplier Management & Performance: Partner with the Supply Chain Performance team to strategically manage and segment the supplier base, maintain scorecards (lead time, OTIF, PPM, delivery, responsiveness), lead quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with strategic suppliers, define and implement safety stock strategies. Proactively mitigate supply risk through dual-sourcing strategies and maintain a top-10 supplier risk register with clear defined owners, timelines, and mitigation actions.
- NPDI/ETO & Engineering Support: Collaborate with the Procurement NPDI team to lead and own procurement's contribution across all New Product Development & Introduction (NPDI) and Engineer-to-Order (ETO) programs from concept through launch. Influence design-stage decisions by providing early supplier selection, and cost modelling. Ensure supplier readiness is on the critical path, with zero procurement-driven delays to NPDI timelines.
- Plant Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with plant leadership (Plants Director, Operations, Engineering, Quality), participating in production, SIOP, and engineering forums. Represent procurement in decision-making, aligning plant needs with procurement planning and escalating risks with mitigation actions.
- Data, Reporting & Compliance: Collaborate with the Procurement Support Team to ensure the accuracy, integrity and timeliness of all core procurement data related to SWGBB Ireland Direct Material spend (spend analytics, savings tracking, contracts records) and deliver monthly reporting to the VP Procurement EMEA.
Requirements:
- Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical / Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline, Business or Supply Chain Degrees may be considered.
- CIPS qualification (Level 5 or above) or equivalent procurement professional certification strongly preferred.
- Green or Black Belt a Strong Plus.
- Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressive procurement experience, with at least 3 to 5 years in a Senior Manager or equivalent leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience in Project plant-based or manufacturing procurement environment preferably in electrical, switchgear, power distribution, or industrial equipment categories.
- Proven track record of delivering measurable procurement savings (5%+ YoY) in a complex manufacturing context, with structured savings tracking methodology.
- Experience managing and developing a procurement team of 5 or more direct reports, including performance management and recruitment.
- Hands-on supplier management experience: conducting QBRs, managing scorecards, driving corrective action plans, and negotiating commercial terms directly with suppliers.
- Experience supporting NPI or engineering change programs as the procurement representative ideally in a technical product environment with component-level specifications.
- Working knowledge of ERP systems (Oracle preferred) and procurement data management disciplines in a manufacturing setting.
- AI exposure is a must.
- Highly Desirable: Direct category experience in SWGBB: medium-voltage switchgear, busbar trunking, low/medium-voltage circuit breakers, or related electrical components, MV, LV.
- Experience operating within a multinational corporate procurement organisation with exposure to Global Category Strategies and governance frameworks.
- Ireland-based or Ireland-market experience, including familiarity with the local supplier landscape and logistics infrastructure.
- Exposure to data Centre or critical infrastructure end-markets understanding of the customer requirements and specifications that drive SWGBB product design.
Senior Manager, Procurement - Business Leads in Donegal employer: Vertiv
Vertiv is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Burnfoot, Ireland, where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee development, the company fosters a high-performance culture that encourages growth through leadership opportunities and comprehensive training programmes. Employees benefit from competitive compensation packages, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the chance to make a significant impact in the rapidly evolving field of critical infrastructure.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager, Procurement - Business Leads in Donegal
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Vertiv.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager, Procurement - Business Leads in Donegal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Vertiv:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Vertiv. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Vertiv.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vertiv
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Vertiv!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Vertiv. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Vertiv's culture.
