Head of Procurement

UTAC; Southampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

UTAC is seeking a Head of Direct and Indirect Procurement to oversee procurement teams and deliver value to the business. This strategic role involves managing supplier negotiations, developing sourcing strategies, and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance procurement processes. The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in procurement and demonstrated leadership abilities.

Benefits

Life Cover

Healthcare cashback plans

Generous holiday benefits

Contributory pension schemes

Access to employee assistance support services

Flexible working policies

Access to discounts via Perkz reward scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of procurement experience in an international business.
• At least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sourcing and procurement policies.
• Manage complex negotiations with suppliers.
• Lead the Group's Sustainable Procurement agenda.

Skills

Communication

Analytical Skills

Negotiating Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field

Tools

Procurement software

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

UTAC is a market-leading international group in digital & sustainable mobility, customisable testing solutions, customisable testing systems, vehicle engineering, homologation, regulatory advice & expertise, certification, training, corporate events and classic & sportscars festivals.

The Group provides services and systems to customers in the various sectors: mobility, transport, tyre, petrochemical, agriculture and defence industries. UTAC operates test centres and laboratories in France (including the official Euro NCAP facility), the UK, USA, Finland, Morocco, and Germany; it has subsidiaries in China, Korea and Japan. UTAC employs around 1300 people across its various locations.

As a group we share a strong and clear vision to deliver safe and efficient solutions and systems to our customers. We are proud and confident in our heritage, our capabilities and our people and believe that by creating a culture where individuals feel they can make a difference and enjoy coming to work, we can deliver the best possible service to our customers.

Our core values of Expertise, Innovation and Integrity provide a clear daily guide to how we work together safely, as one team, helping each other to succeed.

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
• Contributory pension schemes
• Attractive family 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.