Head of Procurement

W Talent; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing firm in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Supply Chain & Procurement Manager to oversee procurement and inventory management at their Doncaster site. The ideal candidate will have 5-7 years of leadership experience in supply chain, strong negotiation skills, and proficiency in ERP systems. This role offers a competitive salary of circa GBP70,000 and excellent corporate benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Excellent corporate benefits package

Career progression opportunity

Qualifications

• 5-7 years' experience in supply chain, procurement, or planning leadership.
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, S&OP, and inventory optimisation.
• Proven success in delivering cost savings and improving supplier performance.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage local procurement function for direct and indirect goods/services.
• Lead the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process.
• Drive supplier innovation and foster collaborative partnerships.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional teamwork

ERP/MRP systems

Education

MCIPS qualification or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel essential; IFS advantageous)

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and driven Supply Chain & Procurement Manager to lead all procurement, planning, and inventory management activities at our Doncaster manufacturing site.
This is a key operational leadership role responsible for both direct and indirect procurement, manufacturing inventory planning, and end-to-end supply chain performance. You will ensure the site's supply chain operations deliver efficiency, cost savings, and continuity of supply, while aligning with Group procurement strategies and policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Procurement
  • Own and manage the local procurement function for both direct materials and indirect goods/services spend circa GBPxxxxxx.
  • Lead supplier sourcing, negotiation, onboarding, and performance management.
  • Develop and implement procurement strategies that support site and Group objectives.
  • Deliver annual cost savings, improved cash conversion, and supplier performance KPI improvements.
  • Roll out and maintain supplier framework agreements to de-risk the supply base and ensure continuity.
  • Collaborate closely with Group Procurement to ensure compliance with corporate processes and policies.
  • Produce regular spend, savings, and performance analysis reports.
  • Ensure MRP is fully utilised for all purchasing activity (direct & indirect), and the order book is accurate in real time.
  • Lead and optimise the P2P (Procure-to-Pay) process.
• Planning & Inventory
  • Lead the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process to align supply, demand, and financial objectives.
  • Build reliable demand forecasts in collaboration with Product Management, Sales, and Finance.
  • Oversee production planning and scheduling to ensure customer demand is met while optimising capacity and inventory.
  • Drive inventory efficiency, balancing stock availability with working capital targets.
  • Monitor key KPIs such as inventory turnover, DSI, and production schedule adherence.
  • Collaborate with Manufacturing, Maintenance, and Quality to minimise downtime and resolve bottlenecks.
  • Ensure all planning and scheduling processes are system-driven through ERP/MRP, not offline.
  • Document, maintain, and improve planning processes and procedures.
• Leadership & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team across procurement and planning disciplines.
  • Set clear annual objectives and training plans aligned to company goals.
  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and production planning.
  • Drive supplier innovation and foster collaborative partnerships.
  • Contribute to strategic supply chain initiatives and long-term business planning.

Key Skills & Experience

• 5-7 years' experience in supply chain, procurement, or planning leadership within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, S&OP, and inventory optimisation.
• Proven success delivering cost savings, improving supplier performance, and driving operational efficiency.
• Excellent negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing stakeholder relationships at senior levels.
• Proficient in ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office (Excel essential; IFS advantageous).
• MCIPS qualification or equivalent is highly desirable.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary (circa GBP70,000)
• Excellent corporate benefits package
• Opportunity to lead and shape a key operational function within a growing manufacturing business
• Career progression within a supportive, forward-thinking organisation

About You

You are a strategic yet hands‑on leader with a proven record of improving procurement efficiency and supply chain performance in a manufacturing setting. You thrive in fast‑paced, multi‑functional environments, and are motivated by driving measurable improvements in cost, service, and delivery performance.