Head of Procurement – Leicester

We have an incredible opportunity for an experienced senior strategic procurement professional to join a leading UK food manufacturer as their Head of Procurement – Ingredients! With a current turnover of £1.6b, the business has achieved amazing YoY growth and has recently secured new retail relationships. Over 50% of the site’s staff have worked within the business for over five years. This business honours its long-serving staff working for the company for more than ten years, and this elite group represents almost a third of the workforce. Following the recent transformation, this role is a new senior leadership position reporting to the Group Procurement Director, responsible for developing and driving the Ingredients (Produce) category strategy across the Group and a key Business Division. This is a great opportunity to work for one of the UK’s largest food manufacturing businesses and to make a difference. You will be responsible for: – Driving the adoption of appropriate best practice procurement systems and processes. – Delivering best practice cost optimisation – negotiating overall best terms, ensuring supply base and product meet business objectives. – Setting the Ingredients category strategy and sub-category strategies based on business needs. – Develop and implement vigorous commodity and business risk management strategies to minimise risk to the business. – Build strong supplier relationships and manage suppliers to deliver – cost reduction, continuous improvement, quality and innovation. – Support the business to drive Responsible, Environmental and ethical sourcing. You should have/be: – Previous senior procurement role/s within the Food Industry – chilled food, own label and short-life food manufacturing. – Proven track record in Ingredients sourcing/procurement – produce, root veg, protected crop etc. – Able to influence stakeholders at all levels – internal and external. – Highly effective communication and presentation skills. – Excellent Supplier relationship management skills. – Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to maintain professional relationships. – Graduate level preferred. – CIPS qualification or equivalent preferred. – Full driving license.

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