Head of Procurement - Rail & Aviation

M Group; Southampton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job description

Right across infrastructure, there’s a requirement to not only maintain, but also renew and reimagine. Whatever stage you’re at in your career, with us you’ll have an opportunity to grow and develop. Delivering essential infrastructure services for life, while being safety first, and client and customer centric in a friendly, fun and respectful environment where you are encouraged to thrive.

Where will you be working?
As an organisation, there is little we don’t do and plenty to get involved in. Our Group Support roles are vital in making sure we can help over 11,000 people deliver essential infrastructure seamlessly across water, energy, transport and telecom.

This role is in our Procurement Department, our Procurement team source, purchase and manage our products and services to ensure the right quality and delivery.

What will you be doing?
You'll design and execute procurement strategies for the rail and aviation division, ensuring value for money, quality, and sustainability.

You're driving cost-saving initiatives while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

You'll lead major contract negotiations with suppliers, using group preferred contracts wherever possible and ensuring compliance with all regulations and company policies.

You'll also mentor and develop your procurement team, fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovation in everything they do.

You'll work closely with commercial, operational teams, and Group Procurement, aligning activities with company goals and leveraging the group's buying power.

Also, proactively address risks in the supply chain, including disruptions, cost fluctuations, and industry-specific changes.

You'll lead your team through transformational change, securing stakeholder buy-in and driving the adoption of new processes, technologies, and practices to create a stronger, more strategic procurement function.

What You’ll Bring

• CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) or similar procurement certification.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in procurement, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of procurement principles, sourcing strategies, and contract management.
• Experience managing complex supply chains, preferably in transportation, engineering, or infrastructure environments.
• Proven track record of achieving cost savings and negotiating high-value contracts.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyse data and make strategic procurement decisions.
• Familiarity with procurement technologies (e.g., ERP, Oracle, or other procurement software).
• Experience with sustainability and green procurement initiatives.

What’s in it for you?
We offer a range of benefits designed to support your life in and out of work, some of which include:

• Matched or contributory pension scheme.
• Online GP service, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Employee assistance programme.
• My Rewards portal, access to 1000’s of retail discounts.
• Life assurance.
• Cycle to work, salary finance and give as you earn schemes.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity leave and adoption leave.
• Reward and recognition scheme.

In addition, this role offers:

• Company car or car allowance and fuel card with a range of EV and hybrid vehicles to choose from.
• My Car Choice our salary sacrifice EV/ Hybrid car scheme.
• Private health care and health care cash plan for you and your family.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Recommend a friend - get rewarded for introducing people to us!

About Us
We want to be an employer of choice and a great place to work, attracting diverse and talented people, who join us and make a difference. We are one of the Top 100 UK companies actively supporting and recruiting army veterans. Our ENABLE inclusion networks bring together people who have a shared passion, to help create an environment where everyone belongs.

Our values help to shape our culture and how we work with one another. We recruit with these values in mind, to ensure your aspirations, and ways of working, align with ours.

• We’re responsible and go further for our people, clients, communities and the planet.
• We’re open and seek new and better ways of exceeding expectations.
• We’re together and as one team; the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
• We’re ambitious and embrace opportunity, to lead essential infrastructure services for life.

Whether you’re a trainee, apprentice or graduate, or progressing through your career, our people benefit from industry recognised programmes, training and development.

It’s an exceptional time to be a part of M Group.

Please note: Occasionally, job adverts might be closed before the stated closing date. Do apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.

For certain roles, successful candidates will be subject to 3rd party background checks as part of the hiring process. Some roles require drug and alcohol testing as part of induction and onboarding.

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