Head of Procurement

UTAC; Bedford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

UTAC is seeking a Head of Direct and Indirect Procurement to enhance value delivery in its Procurement and Supply Chain team. This critical role requires extensive procurement expertise, strong leadership skills, and a collaborative approach to managing complex internal and external relationships. The successful candidate will implement strategic procurement initiatives to ensure efficient supplier management, compliance, and sustainability in alignment with the business’s objectives.

Benefits

Life Cover

Healthcare cashback plans

Generous holiday benefits

Contributory pension schemes

Flexible working policies

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in procurement.
• At least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes and supplier management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sourcing and procurement policies.
• Lead complex negotiations with suppliers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to determine business needs.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Supply Chain Management

Tools

Procurement software

ERP systems

Microsoft Office applications

Job description

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The Head of Direct and Indirect Procurement is a critical role within the Procurement and Supply Chain team, ensuring that value is delivered to the business. This role manages both direct and indirect procurement teams and works closely with internal stakeholders and external third parties. The Head of Direct and Indirect Procurement continuously seeks to improve value delivery through a framework of Category & Supply Chain Management. The role ensures the function is perceived as a positive, significant, value-adding integral partner to the business.

Job Description

The Head of Direct and Indirect Procurement is a critical role within the Procurement and Supply Chain team, ensuring that value is delivered to the business. This role manages both direct and indirect procurement teams and works closely with internal stakeholders and external third parties. The Head of Direct and Indirect Procurement continuously seeks to improve value delivery through a framework of Category & Supply Chain Management. The role ensures the function is perceived as a positive, significant, value-adding integral partner to the business.

Qualifications

Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement fundamental sourcing and procurement policies and procedures across spending categories.
• Formulate and implement clear roles and responsibilities between contract reviews, sourcing, and procurement functions.
• Lead the selection and implementation of sourcing and procure-to-pay solutions to enable a complete process that provides visibility of spend and better controls of the sourcing and procurement process.
• Create and implement key strategic programs and projects to align with the business needs and overarching Procurement strategic objectives.
• Collaborate and contribute cross-functionally to develop and recommend sourcing solutions, limiting risk, adhering to compliance policies, and ensuring continuous improvement.
• Deliver year-on-year savings and rebates.
• Directly manage complex negotiations with suppliers that require a detailed strategic plan and have a direct correlation with operational goals.
• Work collaboratively with key internal stakeholders to determine the needs of the business and develop strategies to deliver these.
• Manage complex internal and external business relationships.
• Represent Procurement and Supply Chain within the business and the company within the wider business community.
• Lead the Group’s Sustainable Procurement agenda, collaborating with the ESG team.
• Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks. Develop contingency plans to address potential disruptions and ensure business continuity.
• Meet with external stakeholders, including the senior management/directorate of suppliers, to further the strategic goals of the business.
• Produce and coordinate regular reporting on key spend areas to board members and other key internal stakeholders.
• Provide support and guidance on Procurement and Supply Chain-related issues.
• Prepare forecast reports on future market trends to allow for improved business performance against budget.
• Continuous development of self and other team members.
• Remain up-to-date and provide guidance to the team on innovation in Procurement and Supply Chain.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in procurement within an international business, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes, supplier management, contract negotiation and sustainability.

Core competencies:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in procurement software and tools.

Advantageous Qualities:

• Excellent communicator at all levels
• Fluent in English language, French not essential but an advantage
• Effective Leader and Manager
• Excellent Analytical skills
• Excellent Negotiating skills
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem solving skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications
• Proficient with a range of ERP systems

Personal Behaviours:

• Dynamic individual, able to inspire and influence
• Collaborative
• Self-driven, desire to win
• Receptive to feedback, fast learner
• Process orientation
• Customer focussed
• High level of confidentiality and integrity

Other:

• Full UK driving licence and own transport (UTAC is not easily assessable via public transport)
• SC clearance or ability to achieve this (UK national with residency in the UK for the last 5 years)
• Willing to undergo a Criminal Disclosure check
• This position be will based on site (at Bedford), with the potential opportunity for some remote working
• Working Environment: Office
• Travel Required: Travel as required within the UK and mainland Europe

Additional Information

For you, as a potential UTAC team member, we believe that the international and diverse nature of our business combined with the passion, energy and friendliness of our people create a great place to work. UTAC is proud to be an equal opportunities employer, valuing inclusion and supporting our people to be themselves and at their very best.

By joining us you will gain access to a broad range of learning relevant to your role and personal development, as well as exposure to leading technologies and expertise.

Our reward and benefit programmes are designed to support our people with competitive and locally tailored packages combined with support for individual health and wellbeing both inside and outside of work.

In the UK this includes;

• Life Cover
• Access to a wide range of discounts and offers via the Perkz reward scheme
• Recognition awards linked to our UTAC values of Expertise, Innovation and Integrity.
• Healthcare cashback plans
• Generous holiday benefits
• Contributorypension schemes
• Attractivefamily friendly policies; maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, flexible working.
• Access to a variety of employee assistance support services.

Learn more about UTAC and what and how we do what we do at www.utac.com

Candidates for positions at UTAC must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the country the role is based in. Immigration visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Note to Recruitment Agencies:

UTAC do not accept speculative applications from agencies for our open positions and any submissions made will not be accepted and no fees will be accepted or paid in respect of speculative CVs received.