Head of Procurement

Fera Science Ltd.; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

On-site gym

Restaurant

Free parking

Discounted on-site nursery

Company matched pension

Life assurance

Cycle2work

Long Term Incentive Plan

Job summary

Fera Science Ltd. is seeking a Head of Procurement to deliver a high-performing procurement service across the business.

You will act as the senior procurement expert, shaping strategy, governance and priorities while leading the Procurement Assistant and partnering with Executive leadership. You will drive strategic sourcing, supplier relationships and category management, ensuring risk is managed and value is maximised.

Qualifications

• Substantial procurement experience in a complex organisation.
• Proven track record delivering value through procurement initiatives.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver procurement strategy, policies and governance.
• Provide expert procurement advice and challenge stakeholders to optimise outcomes.
• Lead strategic sourcing, tendering and complex supplier negotiations.
• Develop category management, spend analysis and demand management for savings and value.
• Manage supplier relationships, performance, risk and supply-chain resilience.
• Lead or support strategic projects and business integration including due diligence.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation

Governance & risk management

Leadership & people management

Education

MCIPS or equivalent

Job description

Join us as a Head of Procurement and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!

As Head or Procurement you will be Fera's senior procurement subject-matter expert and functional lead, responsible for delivering a high-performing, best-in-class procurement service across the business. You will play an important role in helping Fera successfully deliver its five-year Growth Plan by securing value, managing supplier and supply-chain risk, strengthening governance and supporting business growth, including the integration of acquired businesses. A proactive and influential business partner, you will work closely with Executive members, Heads of Business Unit and other senior stakeholders, while leading and developing the Procurement Assistant.

What you’ll be doing:

• Develop and deliver Fera's procurement strategy, policies, governance and annual priorities, aligned to the five-year Growth Plan, wider business objectives and recognised leading procurement practice.
• Act as the senior procurement subject-matter expert, providing authoritative, commercially pragmatic advice and constructively challenging stakeholders to achieve optimum procurement outcomes.
• Build strong relationships and ensuring regular and pro-actively communications with Executive members, Heads of Business Unit and key stakeholders, ensuring procurement is engaged early in strategic, operational and investment decisions.
• Pro-actively lead strategic sourcing, competitive tendering and complex supplier negotiations, securing best whole-life value while appropriately managing commercial, contractual and operational risk.
• Working with the Heads of Business Units, develop effective category management, spend analysis and demand management to identify opportunities for sustainable savings, cost avoidance, improved service, innovation and wider value creation. Ensuring this is communicated on a regular basis.
• Establish strong supplier relationship and performance management, including oversight of strategic suppliers, service performance, continuous improvement and supply-chain resilience.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with Fera's governance framework, delegated authorities, ethical standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Provide procurement leadership for strategic projects, mergers & acquisitions and business integration, including supplier due diligence, synergy identification and the adoption of consistent procurement standards.
• Line manage, coach and develop the Procurement Assistant, setting clear objectives, supporting professional development and ensuring effective delivery of day-to-day procurement priorities.
• Drive continuous improvement through better procurement data, systems, processes, market insight and proportionate use of digital tools and automation; maintain clear reporting of procurement performance and benefits.

What we’re looking for:

• Substantial procurement experience in a complex commercial organisation, with a strong track record of operating as a senior procurement professional and subject-matter expert.
• MCIPS or an equivalent recognised professional procurement qualification, or demonstrably equivalent senior-level procurement expertise.
• Strong expertise in strategic sourcing, category management, supplier relationship management, negotiation, procurement governance and third-party risk management.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering measurable value through procurement, including savings, cost avoidance, service improvement, supplier innovation and risk reduction.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the credibility to engage and challenge Executive Leadership Team members, Heads of Business Unit and other senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, sound professional judgement and the ability to balance business objectives, value, risk and governance.
• Proactive, innovative and solution-focused, with the ability to identify opportunities, drive change and continuously improve procurement performance.
• Strong leadership, organisational and people-management skills, with the ability to develop others and manage competing priorities effectively.

What’s in it for you?

• 25 days’ holiday (rising to 29) with the opportunity to buy & sell extra leave.
• Flexible working hours, on-site gym, restaurant, free parking and a discounted on-site nursery.
• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
• Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks…and plenty more.
• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle - from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
• Fera operates a LTIP ( Long Term Incentive Plan) under which all employees are awarded points towards shares in the Employee Benefits Trust on an annual basis. The Employee Benefits Trust holds shares on behalf of our employee, at the point of an equity event the shares will realise a cash value.

We’re an equal opportunity employer, which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. We’re committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone.