Head of Procurement

Head of Procurement - FMCG

Berkshire | Hybrid (predominantly onsite) (relocation available)

Salary: £80-95,000 + corporate benefits

Overview

A well-established and growing FMCG manufacturing business is seeking a Head of Procurement to lead the transformation of its procurement function.

With annual spend in excess of £80m across raw materials and packaging, the organisation is evolving from a reactive purchasing environment to a structured, strategic procurement model.

This role offers a significant opportunity to define strategy, implement best practice, and drive measurable commercial value.

The Role

You will lead the procurement function, managing a small team and working cross-functionally with commercial, operations, and supply chain stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

• Defining and delivering a clear procurement strategy and operating framework

• Transitioning the function from reactive sourcing to proactive category management

• Driving cost optimisation, value engineering, and improved purchase price performance

• Strengthening supplier strategy, onboarding, and contract management

• Implementing robust processes, governance, and data discipline

• Leading risk management across commodities, supply continuity, and compliance

• Supporting growth plans through scalable sourcing strategies

• Developing and coaching the procurement team to build capability and consistency

Context & Challenges

The current environment is:

• Fast-paced and customer-led, with a high degree of operational reactivity

• Lacking standardised processes, systems, and data consistency

• Managing complex sourcing across ingredients and packaging categories

• Limited in proactive supplier development and market engagement

The successful candidate will bring structure, clarity, and forward planning, enabling the function to operate more strategically and efficiently.

Candidate Profile

Experience:

• Educated to Degree Level or equivalent

• CIPS Qualified

• Senior procurement leadership experience (Head of / equivalent)

• Background within Food Manufacturing, FMCG or similarly fast-moving, high-volume environments

• Motivated by value creation, not just cost control

• Familiarity with retail customer expectations and audit requirements

• Proven track record of delivering transformation, cost savings, and operational improvements

• Previous experience working in highly matrixed environments

• Experience of creating and delivering balanced scorecards

• Strong understanding of ethical sourcing, supplier standards, provenance and supply chain integrity in Food/FMCG environments

• Ability to balance cost, quality, risk and reputation in sourcing decisions

• Experience managing a total spend of circa £60million minimum

• Experience managing complex supplier bases and multiple categories

• Strong exposure to manufacturing or supply chain environments

• Proven exposure to raw materials and ingredient procurement

• Previous experience in packaging desirable

Capabilities:

• Strong commercial acumen with advanced analytical and negotiation skills

• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, evolving environments

• Experience implementing processes, governance, and category strategies

• Confident stakeholder engagement across senior and cross-functional teams

Style:

• Hands-on and delivery-focused, with the ability to balance strategy and execution

• Resilient and adaptable within a high-paced and ambiguous environment

• Collaborative but able to challenge and influence effectively

• Being a ‘builder’ not a ‘custodian’

• Confidence and experience to introduce change in a confident and pragmatic way

Opportunity

This is a high-impact leadership role offering the opportunity to:

• Build and shape a procurement function

• Deliver tangible commercial and operational improvements

• Play a key role in supporting business growth and supply chain performance