At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global procurement and supply chain strategy, driving operational excellence and supplier partnerships.
- Company: Join a successful and ambitious business at an exciting growth stage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance-related bonus, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Opportunity for long-term career growth in a dynamic international environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on international sourcing and supply chain performance.
- Qualifications: Strong academic background and 8-10 years of procurement and supply chain leadership experience.
Worcestershire | Full Time
Salary: £85,000 - £100,000 + Bonus + Benefits
Are you an outstanding procurement and supply chain leader looking for an opportunity to shape strategy, influence key business decisions and drive operational performance on a global scale? We're seeking an exceptional Procurement & Supply Chain Director to join a successful and ambitious business at an exciting stage of growth. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you'll take ownership of global sourcing, procurement strategy, inventory management, logistics and supply chain performance across an international supplier network.
The successful candidate will combine strategic procurement expertise with hands-on supply chain leadership, bringing deep experience of international sourcing, inventory optimisation, logistics management and commercial decision making. This is a rare opportunity for a commercially astute leader to make a significant impact, driving operational excellence, strengthening supplier partnerships and delivering measurable improvements in cost, efficiency and business performance. We're particularly interested in candidates who combine strong academic credentials with exceptional commercial acumen, analytical rigour and a proven ability to drive business performance.
What You'll Be Doing
- Developing and executing the company's global procurement and supply chain strategy
- Leading international sourcing activities and strategic supplier partnerships
- Negotiating high-value supplier agreements and commercial contracts
- Driving inventory optimisation, forecasting accuracy and stock availability
- Leading demand forecasting and rolling purchase planning across multiple product categories
- Managing inventory optimisation, safety stock strategies and stock availability performance
- Working closely with ERP systems to drive purchasing, inventory and supply chain visibility
- Building supplier relationships across Asia, Europe and the UK, ensuring resilience and continuity of supply
- Overseeing import logistics, freight management and third-party logistics providers
- Managing freight costs, landed cost analysis and supply chain performance metrics
- Identifying opportunities to improve margins, reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency
- Managing supply chain risk and building resilience across international supply networks
- Ensuring compliance with UK and international trade, customs and import regulations
- Providing strategic reporting and insight to senior stakeholders
- Leading and developing high-performing procurement and supply chain teams
- Championing continuous improvement and data-driven decision making throughout the business
- Partnering with finance to support budgeting, margin improvement, working capital management and forecasting
About You
- A strong academic background with a degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Economics, Operations or a related discipline
- Strong academic credentials, with postgraduate qualifications such as an MBA, MSc or MCIPS highly regarded
- Minimum 8-10 years' experience within procurement and supply chain leadership, including Director or Head of level responsibility
- Experience leading procurement and supply chain functions within complex international environments
- Proven experience managing international sourcing, particularly across Asia-Pacific markets
- Proven success delivering cost reduction, inventory optimisation and operational excellence programmes
- Deep expertise in global sourcing, supplier negotiation and contract management
- Strong understanding of demand planning, inventory optimisation and stock management methodologies
- Experience managing freight providers, import logistics and third-party logistics partners
- Experience working with ERP systems such as Orderwise, Microsoft Dynamics or equivalent enterprise platforms
- Experience managing procurement budgets, cost reduction initiatives and margin improvement programmes
- Strong commercial and financial acumen with experience influencing senior decision makers
- Advanced Excel and analytical modelling capability with a data-led approach to decision making
- Exceptional analytical capability and a data-led approach to problem solving
- Experience building, developing and leading high-performing teams
- The ability to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels
- A track record of delivering measurable commercial results through supply chain transformation and continuous improvement initiatives
Desirable Experience
- MCIPS qualification, Chartered MCIPS preferred
- MBA, MSc or other postgraduate qualification
- Experience within manufacturing, distribution, retail products or consumer goods environments
- Experience managing international logistics, freight operations and 3PL providers
- Knowledge of ERP systems such as Orderwise, Microsoft Dynamics or similar
- Experience operating across UK and international supply chains
- Experience managing supply chains affected by global freight volatility and international sourcing challenges
- Knowledge of UK and EU customs, import regulations and post-Brexit supply chain requirements
- Experience developing KPI frameworks and presenting to Board or Senior Leadership teams
- Experience leading transformation, change or continuous improvement projects
- Formal project management qualifications such as Prince2, PMP or Agile certifications
What's On Offer
- Salary of £85,000 - £100,000 per annum
- Performance-related bonus
- Senior leadership position reporting directly to the Managing Director
- Opportunity to shape procurement and supply chain strategy across a growing international business
- International supplier and sourcing responsibility
- Ongoing professional development opportunities
- Long-term career growth within an ambitious organisation
How to Apply
Apply now and a member of the Workforce team will be in touch to discuss your application.
Procurement & Supply Chain Director employer: Workforce Staffing Ltd
Join a dynamic and ambitious organisation in Worcestershire as a Procurement & Supply Chain Director, where you will have the opportunity to shape global strategies and drive operational excellence. With a strong focus on employee development, a collaborative work culture, and competitive benefits including a performance-related bonus, this role offers a unique chance to make a significant impact while advancing your career in a supportive environment. Experience the excitement of working within an international supplier network and contribute to the growth of a forward-thinking business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement & Supply Chain Director
✨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 Workforce Staffing Ltd.
✨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 Procurement & Supply Chain Director
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 Workforce Staffing Ltd:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Workforce Staffing Ltd. 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 Workforce Staffing Ltd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Workforce Staffing Ltd
✨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 Workforce Staffing Ltd!
✨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 Workforce Staffing Ltd. 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 Workforce Staffing Ltd's culture.
