Head of Procurement

Job description

Position Overview

The Head of Procurement is responsible for leading the organization’s procurement strategy and operations, ensuring the efficient and cost-effective acquisition of goods and services.

This role provides strategic direction, establishes robust governance frameworks, and drives operational excellence across the procurement function.

The position requires a proven leader with strong commercial acumen, risk management expertise, and the ability to partner effectively with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

The Head of Procurement carries strategic accountability for indirect cost efficiency and supplier-driven innovation that impact the company’s P&L, while financial ownership remains with business unit leaders.

While the role is highly strategic, the successful candidate must also be hands-on, prepared to walk the ground, and closely engage with operations, suppliers, and teams to ensure execution excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with corporate objectives and long-term business plans.
  
  
• Lead the procurement function to deliver value, efficiency, and compliance.
  
  
• Provide guidance to senior management on market trends, risks, and opportunities.
  
  
• Carry strategic accountability for indirect cost efficiency and supplier-driven innovation that impact the company’s P&L, while financial ownership remains with business unit leaders.
  
  

Policy, Governance & Compliance

• Establish and enforce procurement policies, processes, and governance frameworks in line with corporate standards.
  
  
• Ensure full compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements.
  
  
• Drive sustainability and ESG considerations into procurement practices.
  
  

Sourcing & Category Management

• Oversee strategic sourcing and supplier selection for both direct and indirect spend.
  
  
• Manage major supplier negotiations and high-value contracts to achieve cost savings and risk mitigation.
  
  
• Lead category management initiatives to maximize value creation across key spend areas.
  
  
• Remain hands-on with critical sourcing decisions and high-impact supplier engagements.
  
  

Supplier & Contract Management

• Build and maintain strategic supplier partnerships to ensure quality, reliability, and innovation.
  
  
• Implement supplier performance management frameworks, including KPIs and scorecards.
  
  
• Oversee contract lifecycle management and ensure favorable commercial terms.
  
  

Operational Excellence & Transformation

• Deploy best-in-class procurement systems and digital tools to enhance efficiency and transparency.
  
  
• Monitor procurement KPIs and performance metrics to track progress against strategic goals.
  
  
• Lead continuous improvement and transformation initiatives across the procurement function.
  
  
• Stay close to ground-level operations to ensure alignment between strategy and execution.
  
  

Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage complex, multi-level stakeholder relationships across business units and functions.
  
  
• Partner with finance, legal, operations, and senior leadership to align procurement strategies with organizational priorities.
  
  
• Serve as the primary point of contact for procurement matters with the C-suite and Board, as required.
  
  
• Influence and gain buy-in across diverse and sometimes conflicting stakeholder groups.
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
  
  
• Professional certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM, CSCP) strongly desirable.
  
  
• Minimum 12–15 years of progressive procurement experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity.
  
  
• Demonstrated track record in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and procurement transformation in large, complex organizations.
  
  
• In-depth knowledge of procurement systems and ERP platforms (e.g., SAP Ariba, Coupa, Oracle).
  
  
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and influencing skills at executive level.
  
  
• Proven ability to manage risk, ensure compliance, and deliver sustainable cost savings.
  
  
• Willingness to remain hands-on in execution and operational problem-solving.
  
  

Key Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Complex stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Strong negotiation and commercial acumen
• Results orientation with a focus on operational excellence
• Integrity, ethics, and professional judgment
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution
• Change leadership and digital transformation mindset

What We Offer

• Leadership opportunity in a critical corporate function.
  
  
• Exposure to senior management and strategic decision-making.
  
  
• Competitive remuneration and comprehensive benefits.
  
  
• Career advancement within a global/enterprise environment.
  
  

Required Skill Profession

Purchasing & Procurement