Head of Procurement

Head of Procurement

Location: Luton, Bedfordshire
Working Pattern: 4–5 days onsite
Type: Permanent
Salary: £70,000 – £75,000 + bonus
Reporting to: Operations Director

The Opportunity

This is a senior procurement leadership role within a growing UK-based distribution and supply chain organisation undergoing significant positive change.

The procurement function has recently been through a major transformation. The business is now rebuilding capability, structure, and ways of working — creating an opportunity for a resilient, hands-on Head of Procurement to shape the future of the function from the ground up.

For at least the first 6 months, this role will be highly operational and hands-on, working closely with a newly forming procurement team, product category colleagues, supply chain management, warehouse operations, and the sales function. This is a role for someone who enjoys being close to the detail while setting the foundations for long-term strategic leadership.

What You’ll Be Doing

As Head of Procurement, you will take full ownership of purchasing performance, supplier relationships, and team development, while acting as a key business partner across operations and commercial teams.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, rebuilding, and developing a high-performing procurement team, setting clear expectations and standards.
• Delivering a procurement strategy that supports growth, improves availability, controls cost, and mitigates supply risk.
• Being hands-on in day-to-day purchasing activity where required, particularly during the initial transformation phase.
• Working closely with Product, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, and Operations to align forecasting, stock availability, and customer demand.
• Managing procurement for both stocked and back-to-back / bespoke customer orders.
• Building strong, collaborative supplier partnerships and negotiating commercial terms, service levels, and performance improvements.
• Driving supplier performance through KPIs, structured reviews, and corrective action where needed.
• Partnering with Warehouse and Goods In teams to improve inbound standards, pallet compliance, booking-in processes, and stock turnaround times.
• Driving continuous improvement across procurement processes, systems, reporting, and MRP usage.
• Ensuring purchasing activities align with quality, compliance, and sustainability standards.
• Providing clear, data-led updates to senior leadership on performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Creating a culture of ownership, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For

This role will suit a procurement leader who is comfortable leading through change, rebuilding teams, and operating at both strategic and operational levels.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Significant experience in a senior procurement, purchasing, or supply chain leadership role.
• A proven track record of building, stabilising, and developing teams in fast-paced or changing environments.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills with a pragmatic, solutions-focused mindset.
• Experience working closely with sales and operations to deliver a strong customer outcome.
• Solid understanding of warehouse and inbound logistics standards (pallet compliance, booking-in, safety, stock handling).
• Strong ERP / MRP experience and the ability to drive system and process improvements.
• Working knowledge of ISO standards and quality-led procurement environments.
• The resilience, credibility, and communication skills to influence across all levels of the business.
• A hands-on leadership style, particularly during periods of transformation.

Why Join?

• A genuine opportunity to build and shape a procurement function, not inherit a finished one.
• Strong senior leadership visibility and influence.
• A business investing in capability, systems, and people.
• A role that blends strategy, leadership, and delivery.
• Long-term progression opportunity once the function is fully stabilised.