Head of Procurement

Chaberton Professionals is a division of Chaberton Partners dedicated to the Search and Selection of Middle and Top Management Profiles . From our HQ in Lugano we pursue our goal to create success stories and enrich the talent pipeline within our client companies.

Our Client is an Italian company specialising in office and workspace furniture , part of a Leading Indipendent Industrial Group in the high-end furniture sector with Italian-made production . It stands out for its furniture systems that combine design , quality and innovation, collaborating with renowned architects and designers to create bespoke and serial solutions for complex and contemporary work environments, including public and cultural spaces such as museums and libraries.

Role Summery

The role of Head of Procurement coordinates and guides the entire procurement process (purchase of goods and services) in a strategic and operational manner.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the strategic procurement roadmap aligned with business objectives, product strategy, project portfolio and growth ambitions
• Lead end-to-end procurement operations including category management, sourcing, contract negotiation, supplier selection & development, purchase order management, cost control and quality assurance
• Collaborate closely with R&D / design, production, logistics, quality and finance functions to ensure timely delivery of materials / components, optimum cost, high quality and compliance with sustainability / ESG requirements
• Identify, evaluate and onboard new suppliers (national & international), fostering strong partnerships, supplier innovation, reliability and continuous improvement
• Manage major supplier contracts (frameworks, long-term deals) and ensure optimal terms (price, delivery, quality, service level)
• Monitor market trends, raw-material price fluctuations, supply-chain risks (including geopolitical, regulatory, sustainability), and implement mitigation plans
• Drive cost-reduction program value engineering and procurement efficiencies without compromising design, quality or lead-times
• Ensure procurement processes and systems are efficient, transparent and auditable; lead digitalization of procurement workflows and data management as appropriate
• Guarantee sustainability and ethical sourcing standards across the supply chain in line with company policy (e.g., eco-design, recycled / approved materials, emissions, waste reduction)
• Develop and report procurement KPIs (e.g., cost savings, supplier lead-times, quality rejects, supplier performance, sourcing cycle time) to senior management
• Lead, mentor and develop the procurement team to deliver high performance, commercial savvy, strategic thinking and operational excellence

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or equivalent ; a Master’s degree or MBA is a plus
• Minimum 10+ years of progressive procurement / supply-chain experience , preferably in manufacturing (ideally furniture / contract interiors or complex industrial manufacturing), and at least 5 years in a leadership role
• Proven track record of developing and executing procurement strategies, delivering cost savings and supplier performance improvements in a global supply chain context
• Experience working with design-led / quality-driven production, supplier innovation and make-to-order / custom manufacturing environments is beneficial
• Familiarity with international sourcing, contract law, supply-chain risk, sustainability / ESG sourcing standards

Location

• Turate (CO)