Job Description
The Procurement and Supply Chain Management (P&SC) function is responsible for the interface with those third-party organisations who support our business whether that be for procurement of goods and services or the relationship management that underpins any such activities.
Reporting to the Group P&SC Director with matrix direction from the Divisional Managing Directors, the Divisional P&SC Director is accountable for developing and executing procurement and supply chain strategy within the Division, while ensuring full alignment with the group objectives and governance frameworks. This senior leadership role oversees sector heads within the division, providing strategic direction, guidance, and support, to ensure effective delivery across sectors. The role will sit on the Divisional MDs SLT and the P&SC SLT.
The role will have accountability for the delivery of over £0.6 billion in annual spend (predicted to more than double over the next 3 years) and benefit delivery in excess of £6m per year (with higher aspiration). Managing this spend is crucial to Costain's overall P&L.
The role requires close collaboration with the Managing Director, Divisional leadership, Sector heads, Project teams, Clients and the Group Central Procurement and Supply Chain function. The Divisional P&SC Director acts as a key link between Group P&SC requirements and operational implementation, ensuring that group policies standards and best practice are driven across the division.
The Divisional Director will ensure that the supply base for the division has the capacity and capability to deliver the Costain plan for and beyond – over 80% of the delivery is delivered by our supply base. The role will Influence both central strategy and Divisional priorities, driving solutions to complex delivery from Projects, Sector and Divisional supplier requirements and competing resources, developing and owning the agreed SRM strategy and ensuring divisional representation at all levels from the MD down.
A critical aspect of the role is proactive stakeholder engagement – both internal and external – to foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. The roles sit as peers to the Divisional Commercial Directors.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in Costain, ensuring P&L delivery, driving efficiency, sustainability, and innovation within the procurement and supply chain functions.
Responsibilities
Own the P&SC Strategy for the Division – be accountable for the external spend, agreeing and authorising spend in compliance with the DAM
Support the Group P&SC Director to deliver the procurement, and supply chain objectives
Support the Divisional MD to ensure the capacity and capability of the supply chain to deliver predictable outcomes for projects and sectors
Lead the development and implementation of divisional procurement and supply chain strategy, ensuring alignment with group objectives and sector/project requirements
Oversee and support sector heads, ensuring effective delivery and compliance with project, group central governance and best practice
Act as divisional champion for procurement and supply chain excellence, driving stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration
Ensure that the division supply chain is robust, agile and strategically positioned to meet current and future needs, identifying opportunities for innovation, risk mitigation and value creation
Support the implementation and monitoring of central policies, standards, and processes to ensure consistency and compliance across all sectors and projects within the division
Drive the integration of sustainable procurement best practices across all sectors and project procurement activities, actively championing and showcasing successes to inspire continuous improvement and reinforce the Groups commitment to embedding sustainable procurement requirements throughout the supply chain and procurement process
Develop relationships with key client's Supply Chain and Procurement teams, participating in their initiatives to assist them in achieving their goals
Collaborate with other Divisional Heads of P&SC to identify opportunities to continuously improve procurement and supply chain processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
Essential
QUALIFICATIONS
Significant post-graduate experience in procurement, with a strong track record and experience in a senior P&SC leadership role
Knowledge of Infrastructure Industry Procurement and Supply Chain Operations
A clear leader with excellent communication skills able to interact at all levels
Demonstrable experience of delivering major programmes or projects including successful transformation and systems implementation
Significant senior level leadership experience, at least some of which in context of a multibillion business service provider or client organisation
Robust financial acumen to ensure external spend delivers the P&L requirements and additional Margin improvement opportunities
In-depth vendor and supplier management experience
Experience in negotiation of heavily modified NEC3/NEC4 subcontracts to promote demonstrative favourable commercial outcomes for the business
Commercially astute, articulate, technically strong, dynamic, insightful and influential leader with the ability to operate at both a strategic and an operational level
Ability to manage self and team, have credibility and gravitas to conduct meetings at senior level with key business leaders and key suppliers
Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to confidently and credibly chair or participate in supplier meetings, representing the Company at the most senior level
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills - able to analyse complex and ambiguous data to evaluate options, use facts and data to implement solutions
Great interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of staff across the organisation and externally with suppliers
Creative thinker able to innovate around designing, procuring for and delivering projects
Multitasker, able to work well under pressure, prioritising tasks, workload and managing conflicting demands
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
Member Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply qualified or a similar Professional certification in procurement (e.g. CPSM)
Desirable
Experience of working within a matrix organisation, with ability to influence at all levels
Experience in developing and delivering category management
Knowledge of Costain Procurement and Supply Chain Management systems and requirements
Working knowledge of procurement-based software, e.g. SourceDogg, eJAGGAER, Arriba sourcing or similar
Previous knowledge of Frameworks projects and associated procurement practices
More extensive expertise in ISO2040 and be able to demonstrate where you have delivered tangible sustainable outcomes through the supply chain (i.e. such as a reduction in Scope 3 GHGs)
MBA or Master's degree in a related procurement field
MCIM or ILM Leadership degree