Direct Procurement Strategy Director

Butler Rose; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus (discretionary)

Job summary

Butler Rose on behalf of a leading manufacturing business in Plymouth seeks a Head of Category - Direct to own a substantial direct spend portfolio and lead category strategy, supplier performance and risk management.

You will head the Direct Category Management team, collaborate with engineering, production and planning, and deliver measurable cost savings while building a high‑performing procurement function.

Qualifications

• Significant category management leadership experience in manufacturing or complex industrial environments.
• Proven track record delivering procurement savings, supplier performance improvements and risk reduction.
• Strong commercial acumen with negotiation and contract management skills.
• Experience leading high‑performing procurement or category management teams.
• Strong stakeholder management with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Experience with ERP and S2P platforms.
• Data‑driven decision making and performance management.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies.
• Degree‑level qualification in business, engineering or related discipline.
• CIPS qualification or equivalent professional procurement accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Lead a direct procurement spend portfolio valued between £130m and £160m per annum.
• Manage, coach and develop the Direct Category Management team.
• Create and implement category strategies that deliver sustainable savings and commercial value.
• Lead supplier sourcing, selection and negotiation activities to achieve the best commercial outcomes.
• Increase contracted spend and drive robust contract lifecycle management.
• Develop strategic supplier relationships and supplier segmentation programmes.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks to ensure continuity of supply.
• Collaborate with planning, development and purchasing teams to optimise demand and supply activities.
• Support working capital improvement initiatives and operational efficiency programmes.
• Resolve escalated supplier, order book and master data issues.
• Drive continuous improvement across procurement processes, systems and ways of working.

Skills

Category leadership

Procurement savings

Supplier management

Negotiation

Contract management

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

ERP / S2P

Data-driven decisions

CI methodologies

Education

Degree in Business / Engineering

CIPS qualification

Tools

ERP systems

S2P platforms

Job description

Butler Rose on behalf of a leading manufacturing business in Plymouth seeks a Head of Category - Direct to own a substantial direct spend portfolio and lead category strategy, supplier performance and risk management.

You will head the Direct Category Management team, collaborate with engineering, production and planning, and deliver measurable cost savings while building a high‑performing procurement function.