Location: Luton, Bedfordshire
Working Pattern: 45 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 Were 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.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr