At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies for top chocolate and snack brands, ensuring quality ingredients.
- Company: Join Zertus UK & Ireland, a leader in the chocolate and snacking industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, car allowance, and generous holiday package.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and professional development in a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping procurement strategies.
- Qualifications: Proven procurement leadership experience in FMCG or food manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Overview
Love the idea of influencing the ingredients and raw materials behind some of the UK's most loved chocolate and snacking brands? We're looking for a commercially-minded, people-focused Head of Procurement (Directs) to take ownership of our direct materials sourcing strategy across Zertus UK & Ireland. Leading a talented team of procurement professionals, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring our factories have the materials they need to create products enjoyed by millions of consumers across the UK, Ireland and beyond. This is a newly created leadership role reporting directly to the Procurement Director, working alongside the Head of Procurement (Indirects), giving you the opportunity to help shape procurement strategy, influence senior stakeholders and build strong supplier partnerships while delivering tangible commercial value across the business. From sourcing cocoa and chocolate ingredients to supporting innovation projects and managing supply risk, no two days are the same.
Position Type: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 16:30
Location: Based at one of our manufacturing locations with hybrid working, plus international travel.
Salary: Competitive Salary + 15% Bonus + £7220 Car Allowance
Closing Date: 28/09/2026
Responsibilities
As Head of Procurement (Directs), you'll provide day-to-day leadership for our direct procurement function, leading a team of experienced category and procurement professionals while developing and executing sourcing strategies that support our commercial and operational objectives. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading, developing and inspiring a team of procurement specialists and category leaders.
- Creating and delivering the UK & Ireland direct materials procurement strategy.
- Deputising for the Procurement Director where required.
- Driving cost savings, PPV delivery, rebate opportunities and working capital improvements.
- Building strategic supplier partnerships to improve quality, innovation, service and sustainability.
- Managing commodity and category strategies across key raw material spend areas.
- Working closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Technical, Commercial and Finance teams to drive business performance.
- Supporting innovation projects through effective sourcing and supplier collaboration.
- Identifying and mitigating supply chain risks while maintaining continuity of supply.
- Representing the business externally through supplier relationships, industry forums and market engagement.
- Ensuring strong governance, contract coverage and procurement best practice across the function.
- Contributing as a key member of the wider business leadership team.
Qualifications
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced procurement leader looking to make a significant impact within a fast-paced FMCG manufacturing environment. Ideally, you'll have:
- Significant procurement leadership experience within FMCG, food manufacturing, consumer goods or a related sector.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing procurement or category management teams.
- Proven experience creating and executing procurement or category strategies.
- Strong direct materials, commodity buying and category management expertise.
- Demonstrable commercial negotiation and supplier management experience.
- Experience operating within complex manufacturing environments.
- A track record of delivering cost savings, value creation and business improvement initiatives.
- Experience influencing and engaging senior stakeholders up to board level.
- Experience supporting business transformation, growth or change programmes.
- Degree, CIPS qualification or equivalent procurement qualification desirable.
What will make you successful? We're looking for someone who combines strong commercial capability with strategic thinking and natural leadership. The successful person will demonstrate:
- Outstanding stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Strong leadership, coaching and team development capability.
- Excellent commercial acumen and negotiation expertise.
- Strategic thinking balanced with the ability to deliver operational results.
- Resilience and confidence when operating in a dynamic, fast-moving environment.
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach to problem solving.
- The ability to influence across multiple business functions and levels.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- A passion for continuous improvement, innovation and personal development.
Rewards Benefits
Competitive salary plus 15% annual bonus plan and car allowance. 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (33 in total) plus holiday purchase scheme. 4% employer and 5 % employee pension plan. Life assurance plan x4 basic salary. Various salary sacrifice schemes including pension payments, cycle to work and electric car (subject to meeting minimum criteria). Healthcare cash plan via paycare (Dental, Optical, Chiropody, Professional Therapy, Counselling) with a value over £400 each year. Play a genuine business partnering role, helping drive productivity, efficiency and profitability improvements. Work in a complex manufacturing environment where your recommendations lead directly to operational action. Support a site with ambitious performance improvement and growth objectives. Build your career within one of the UK's leading chocolate and snack manufacturers with training, development and professional membership opportunities.
About Us
At Zertus UK & Ireland, we're proud to be home to three successful businesses: Humdinger, Kinnerton Confectionery and Lir Chocolates. Together, we manufacture an exciting range of snacks, confectionery and chocolate products enjoyed across major retailers, convenience stores, e-commerce channels and international markets. Our growing portfolio includes household and customer favourite brands such as NOMO, Sun Valley Nuts, Kinnerton Kids, The Fruit Factory and Yum & Yay, alongside licensed and collaborative products with iconic names including Baileys and Guinness. As part of Zertus GmbH, a European food group, you'll join a business that combines entrepreneurial thinking with the scale and resources of an international organisation. Our UK & Ireland locations include: Heckington, Lincolnshire; Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire; Fakenham, North Norfolk; Bromborough, Wirral; Navan, Ireland.
Application & Interview Process
Please apply online via our careers portal by submitting your CV and answering the application questions. Successful candidates will be invited to a two-stage interview process. Stage 1 will be online via Teams call and Stage 2 will be on-site with a full factory tour and a chance to meet the wider teams. Zertus UK&I is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace.
Head of Procurement - Directs employer: Zertus UK & Ireland
Zertus UK & Ireland is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises innovation and sustainability in the confectionery industry. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development, including training and qualifications, alongside competitive benefits such as hybrid working, an annual bonus plan, and a comprehensive healthcare cash plan. Located in Fakenham, our team enjoys a collaborative environment where creativity thrives, making it an ideal place for those looking to build a meaningful career in procurement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement - Directs
✨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 Zertus UK & Ireland.
✨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 - Directs
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 Zertus UK & Ireland:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Zertus UK & Ireland. 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 Zertus UK & Ireland.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zertus UK & Ireland
✨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 Zertus UK & Ireland!
✨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 Zertus UK & Ireland. 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 Zertus UK & Ireland's culture.
