Interim Head of Purchasing – Supply Chain Transformation

Jackie Kerr Recruitment - Engineering and Manufacturing; Worcester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

23 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays, +

Birthday day off

Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Growth By Sharing quarterly bonus

Professional development opportunities

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice

Eye Care Voucher Scheme

On-site parking

Job summary

Interim Head of Purchasing – Supply Chain Transformation in Worcester is sought to lead a strategic procurement transformation within a growing manufacturing and distribution business. You will assess the function, set out a clear strategy, and drive implementation to strengthen capability and commercial performance.

The role requires delivering measurable savings, improved terms and reduced supplier risk, while establishing a sustainable operating model to support growth.

Qualifications

• Established interim procurement or supply chain leader with proven record of delivering transformation assignments across multiple organisations.
• Director-level capability with the confidence to shape strategy and lead practical change.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills with understanding of supplier contracts and TCO.

Responsibilities

• Conduct rapid assessment of purchasing and supply chain arrangements and define a transformation plan.
• Develop and implement a procurement strategy aligned with business growth and continuity of supply.
• Lead priority supplier negotiations covering pricing, terms, and service levels.
• Establish supplier performance measures and governance across functions.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Education

CIPS qualification or equivalent

Job description

Interim Head of Purchasing – Supply Chain Transformation

Worcester

Our client is recruiting an established interim procurement and supply chain leader to deliver a strategic transformation programme within a growing manufacturing and distribution business.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will quickly assess the existing function, establish a clear strategy and lead its implementation. The assignment will focus on strengthening procurement capability, improving commercial performance, reducing supplier risk and establishing a sustainable operating model to support future growth.

You will bring experience from successful interim assignments across multiple organisations, combining strategic expertise with the ability to establish credibility quickly and take personal responsibility for delivery.

Interim Head of Purchasing Roles and Responsibilities

• Conduct a rapid assessment of purchasing and supply chain arrangements, including supplier spend, contracts, dependencies, processes, systems and team capability
• Agree a prioritised transformation plan with the COO, establishing clear deliverables, milestones and measures of success
• Develop and implement a procurement and supply chain strategy aligned with business growth, commercial objectives and continuity of supply
• Define the future purchasing operating model, including team structure, responsibilities, governance and capability requirements
• Develop category and sourcing strategies, challenging existing supplier arrangements and identifying sustainable opportunities to improve value
• Personally lead priority supplier negotiations covering pricing, payment terms, lead times, service levels and contractual protection
• Identify critical supplier dependencies and implement dual-sourcing, contingency and risk-reduction strategies
• Work with Operations and Finance to improve purchasing commitments, demand alignment, inventory management and working capital
• Establish supplier performance measures for cost, quality and delivery, partnering with the Head of Quality on supplier approval, assurance, non-conformance escalation and corrective action
• Improve purchasing controls, approval routes, contractual coverage and ERP/MRP data to support reliable decision-making
• Lead implementation across Purchasing, Operations, Quality, Technical, Finance and Logistics, securing commitment to new ways of working
• Demonstrate measurable progress through realised savings, improved commercial terms, cash benefits and reduced supply risk
• Coach colleagues, transfer knowledge and deliver a structured handover covering the future strategy, operating model, supplier priorities and improvement roadmap

Interim Head of Purchasing Ideal Candidate

• Established interim procurement or supply chain leader with a proven record of delivering transformation assignments across multiple organisations
• Director-level capability, with the confidence to shape strategy, influence executives, challenge existing practices and lead practical, collaborative change
• Deep expertise in procurement and supply chain strategy, strategic sourcing, category management and supplier resilience
• Demonstrable experience redesigning purchasing functions, operating models, governance and organisational capability
• Relevant experience within manufacturing, distribution or technically regulated product environments
• Able to understand an unfamiliar business quickly, identify priorities and move decisively into implementation
• Clear evidence of measurable commercial and operational results achieved during previous interim assignments
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills, including an understanding of supplier contracts, total cost of ownership and working capital
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to turn incomplete or inconsistent data into practical recommendations and decisions
• CIPS qualification or equivalent procurement and supply chain experience desirable

Interim Head of Purchasing Benefits

• 23 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays, your birthday as a paid day off and a Christmas shutdown
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme and Private Medical Insurance
• Growth By Sharing quarterly bonus scheme
• Professional development opportunities and potential for career progression
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Eye Care Voucher Scheme, employee wellbeing initiatives, mental health support and recognition awards
• Breakfast and refreshments provided, modern open-plan working environment and on-site parking