Group Director of Procurement
Location: Southampton, with National and International Travel (circa 20%)
Package: £competitive base salary + 30% bonus + car + benefits
Are you a seasoned procurement leader/Head of Procurement with a track record of building procurement functions from the ground up? My client, a £250m turnover, multi-site business operating across the UK, Europe, and the US, is seeking a Group Director of Procurement to lead the transformation of their procurement operations. We are looking for a candidate with deep experience in procurement, sourcing, and supply chain management, ideally within the construction or engineering industries, who can bring a hands-on, strategic approach to this key leadership role.
This role is pivotal in implementing a centre-led procurement function for my client and their four core businesses, driving efficiencies, cost savings, and innovation. With 2 direct reports and a Matrix procurement structure across the companies, you will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive procurement strategy that supports all regions, functions, and business entities.
Key Responsibilities for the position of Head of Procurement/Group Director of Procurement
- Lead the creation of a centralised procurement function, establishing a clear strategy to unify and optimise procurement operations across all business units.
- Oversee the end-to-end procurement process, ensuring alignment with business needs across direct and indirect categories.
- Develop sourcing strategies that secure high-quality materials and services at competitive prices, leveraging supplier consolidation and rationalisation opportunities.
- Drive efficiencies by establishing standardised procurement frameworks, including supplier selection, RFQs, contracts, and governance structures.
- Lead efforts to optimise cost savings through strategic sourcing, people development, process improvements, and technology integration.
- Build and mentor a high-performing procurement team, ensuring strong collaboration across the Matrix structure of the organisation.
- Collaborate with senior stakeholders across all business units to ensure procurement objectives are aligned with wider company goals.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant procurement and supply chain regulations, fostering sustainable practices in line with my client's ESG policies.
- Develop and manage the procurement budget, ensuring cost control and financial efficiency.
Who We're Looking For in the Head of Procurement/Group Director of Procurement
- Extensive career experience in purchasing, buying, procurement, and sourcing, with a focus on building and leading group-wide procurement functions.
- Proven experience working in organisations with a turnover of £250m or more, ideally across multi-site operations in the UK, Europe, and the US.
- A hands-on leader with experience implementing and managing Matrix procurement structures across diverse business units.
- Expertise in the construction or engineering industries is highly desirable.
- Strategic and operational leader, with a demonstrated ability to create procurement processes and frameworks from scratch.
- Strong commercial acumen with exceptional negotiation skills, contract management, and supplier relationship management.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with a collaborative, cross-functional approach to working with internal and external stakeholders.
Why Join My Client?
My client is a leader in providing innovative solutions for water and wastewater management, operating globally across four core businesses. As the Group Director of Procurement, you will be instrumental in shaping and leading their procurement transformation, driving efficiencies and delivering value across the business. This is a unique opportunity to build a procurement function from the ground up and make a lasting impact in a growing, dynamic organisation
