At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and transform operations for a top insurance company.
- Company: Market-leading insurance firm focused on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a chance to shape procurement practices.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to work with executive stakeholders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a strategic role that drives business success.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in procurement within regulated industries and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are currently partnering with a market‑leading Insurance company to recruit a Head of Procurement & Vendor Management.
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing and embedding a best‑in‑class procurement, supplier governance and outsourcing framework.
Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver the Group Procurement Strategy, aligning procurement with commercial objectives and long‑term business growth.
- Lead the transformation and modernisation of procurement across UK and European operations, driving standardisation, automation, and continuous improvement.
- Build and manage a scalable procurement operating model, including governance frameworks, policies, and best practices.
- Establish procurement as a strategic business partner through category management, supplier consolidation, and leveraging Group purchasing power.
- Direct end‑to‑end strategic sourcing activities, including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, competitive tenders, and complex supplier negotiations.
- Deliver measurable cost savings and value optimisation while maintaining quality, operational resilience, and service excellence.
- Develop and oversee outsourcing governance frameworks, managing the full supplier lifecycle from due diligence and contracting through to renewal and exit planning.
- Strengthen supplier relationship management by implementing robust governance, performance reviews, SLAs, KPIs, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Lead third‑party risk management, partnering with Risk, Compliance, Legal, and Information Security to assess and mitigate financial, regulatory, cyber, ESG, and operational risks.
- Ensure operational resilience by maintaining effective business continuity, disaster recovery, contingency, and exit plans for critical suppliers.
- Negotiate and manage complex commercial contracts while maintaining a centralised contract repository and proactively managing contract renewals.
- Drive procurement savings, supplier consolidation, spend analysis, forecasting, budgeting support, and cost optimisation initiatives to maximise commercial value.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with regulatory requirements, governance standards, audit expectations, and third‑party oversight obligations.
- Champion ethical sourcing, ESG initiatives, supplier diversity, Modern Slavery compliance, and sustainable procurement practices.
- Build trusted relationships with executive stakeholders across Finance, Operations, Technology, Risk, Compliance, and Legal, ensuring procurement supports strategic objectives and delivers positive customer outcomes.
- The ideal candidate
- Significant procurement leadership experience within insurance, financial services or another regulated industry.
- Demonstrable experience leading procurement transformation, operating model design and third‑party cost optimisation.
- Extensive experience in strategic sourcing, supplier governance, outsourcing and complex commercial negotiations.
- Strong understanding of operational resilience, supplier risk management and procurement governance.
- Experience presenting to Executive Committees and Boards.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Procurement & Vendor Management employer: Weareedenbrook
Weareedenbrook is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of London that fosters collaboration and innovation. Employees benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring personal and professional growth within the dynamic insurance sector. With a focus on building strong relationships and a commitment to excellence, joining our team means being part of a supportive environment where your contributions are valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement & Vendor Management
✨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 Weareedenbrook.
✨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 Head of Procurement & Vendor Management
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 Weareedenbrook:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Weareedenbrook. 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 Weareedenbrook.
How to prepare for a job interview at Weareedenbrook
✨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 Weareedenbrook!
✨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 Weareedenbrook. 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 Weareedenbrook's culture.
