Head of Procurement

A market-leading aerospace manufacturing and engineering business producing complex products for major civil and defence aerospace customers require a Head of Procurement. Reporting to a Head of Supply Chain, the Head of Procurement will be responsible for developing the function and leading all strategic procurement and contracting strategies, and overseeing operational procurement activities.

Working closely with Engineering, Programmes, Operations, Quality, Commercial, Finance and Supply Chain teams, the Head of Procurement will ensure the secure, compliant, and efficient acquisition of goods, materials, services and strategic capabilities required to support customer commitments and business growth.

Specific duties of the Head Procurement include:

• Define and deliver the procurement and subcontracting strategy (Make vs. Buy, investigation of best cost country supply partners), aligning sourcing, supplier management and supply chain activities with business objectives, growth plans and customer requirements.
• Lead strategic sourcing and complex commercial negotiations across direct materials, indirect spend and outsourced services, securing best-value outcomes and long-term agreements (LTAs).
• Provide procurement and commercial leadership in support of business winning activities, sales bids and contract renewals
• Develop and manage strategic supplier partnerships, driving performance improvements across cost, quality, delivery, service, innovation and risk management.
• Establish and maintain robust procurement governance, policies and processes, ensuring compliance with industry and customer-specific requirements.
• Lead commercial and contract management activities (LTAs, supplier contracts NDAs), mitigating risk, protecting business interests and supporting the effective flow-down of customer T&Cs.
• Define procurement and inventory management KPIs internal and external (PPV, OTIF), procurement processes, policies and procedures
• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing procurement team (Category Managers and Operational MRP Buyers), fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration and operational excellence.

Head of Procurement applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Strategic-level procurement expertise; the ability to define strategies across procurement (category management, subcontracting and operational MRP procurement) and inventory management, manage contracts and critical supplier relationships
• The ability to negotiate, establish and manage long term agreements (LTA) with suppliers and supply chain partners, knowledge of contract law and complex contracts
• Experience of procurement transformation activities
• Knowledge of global supply chains
• Leadership qualities and gravitas with the ability to manage a team, and influence stakeholder communities