Head of Procurement

sulzer; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programmes

Discounts on everyday shopping

Discounted car leasing

Long Service Awards

Sulzer Learning Pathways

Flexible working hours

Job summary

Sulzer is seeking a Head of Procurement to lead the procurement function at our Leeds facility. You will drive strategic sourcing, optimise supplier relationships, and oversee delivery of large-scale global projects for our engineering solutions.

You will lead a team of buyers, develop cost-saving strategies, ensure compliance with procurement policies, and collaborate with operations, quality control, and production to align procurement with business goals.

Qualifications

• CIPS/MCIPS qualification preferred but not essential; strong procurement background in engineering/manufacturing.
• Experience in managing procurement for large-scale, complex projects.
• Experience in castings and raw materials procurement is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute procurement strategies for cost-effective sourcing of components and materials.
• Lead a team of buyers, driving performance and supplier excellence.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate agreements, and set KPIs for improvement.
• Collaborate with operations, quality control, commercial and production to align procurement with goals.
• Ensure compliance with Sulzer policies, quality, safety and sustainability standards.

Skills

CIPS/MCIPS qualification

Procurement

Supplier management

Contract negotiation

Leadership

Team management

Commercial acumen

Problem-solving

Continuous improvement

Job description

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society.

About the role

We're looking for a Head of Procurement to join the Senior Leadership team for our Leeds facility. In this key role, you'll drive strategic procurement initiatives, optimise supplier relationships, and ensure seamless delivery of large scale global projects, critical to our world-class pumping solutions.

Our Leeds facility plays a vital role within Sulzer's global manufacturing network, delivering highly engineered, order-driven products for large-scale customer projects around the world. Operating in a complex engineer-to-order environment, this role is critical to ensuring the successful sourcing and delivery of materials and components that support major projects from initial order through to final execution.

Your main tasks and responsibilities:

• Develop and execute procurement strategies to ensure cost-effective and timely sourcing of components, raw materials, and factored items.
• Lead a team of buyers, driving operational excellence and supplier performance to meet customer requirements.
• Manage key supplier relationships, negotiate agreements, and implement KPIs for continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including operations, quality control, commercial, and production, to align procurement with business goals.
• Ensure compliance with Sulzer's procurement policies and industry standards, maintaining a strong focus on quality, safety, and sustainability.

To succeed in this role, you will need:

• A CIPS/MCIPS qualification is preferred, but experience is more important - you must be able to demonstrate a strong background in procurement within an engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Strong background in procurement, supplier management, and contract negotiation with an understanding of the procurement challenges associated with large-scale, complex customer projects.
• Experience in castings and raw materials procurement.
• Leadership and team management skills, with a track record of driving performance.
• Commercial acumen, problem-solving ability, and a proactive approach to continuous improvement.

What we offer you

• Confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programmes
• Access to a wide range of discounts on everyday shopping, entertainment, and lifestyle
• Discounted personal car leasing available for you, your family, and friends
• Long Service Awards to celebrate employee longevity
• Continuous learning and development through Sulzer Learning Pathways
• Flexible working hours that allow you to balance your work and personal life

Our Leeds site has undergone a major redevelopment, creating a modern, state-of-the-art working environment designed to inspire collaboration and innovation. This is an exciting time to join us and experience the benefits of a refreshed, future-ready workplace.

Sulzer is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and are committed to offering an inclusive work environment.

We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer 2026 in Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland, South Africa, the UK and the USA.