Direct Materials Procurement Leader - FMCG/Chocolate

Zertus-UK-; Otley; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus 15%

Car allowance

Healthcare plan

Pension plan

Life assurance

Holiday entitlement

Training & development

Job summary

Zertus UK & Ireland in the UK is seeking a Head of Procurement (Directs) to lead direct materials sourcing, shape strategy across the region and ensure factories have the materials they need to run smoothly. You will lead a team of category and procurement professionals, partner with Operations, Technical and Finance, and drive value through supplier collaboration.

This permanent hybrid role involves influencing senior stakeholders up to board level, managing risk, and delivering cost savings

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Procurement leadership

FMCG experience

Strategic sourcing

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Education

Degree in procurement or related field

CIPS qualification

Job description

Zertus UK & Ireland in the UK is seeking a Head of Procurement (Directs) to lead direct materials sourcing, shape strategy across the region and ensure factories have the materials they need to run smoothly. You will lead a team of category and procurement professionals, partner with Operations, Technical and Finance, and drive value through supplier collaboration.

This permanent hybrid role involves influencing senior stakeholders up to board level, managing risk, and delivering cost savings