Head of Procurement – FMCG
Berkshire / Hampshire | Hybrid (predominantly onsite) (relocation available)
Salary: £80-95,000 + corporate benefits
Overview
A well-established and growing FMCG manufacturing business is seeking a Head of Procurement to lead the transformation of its procurement function.
With annual spend in excess of £80m across raw materials and packaging, the organisation is evolving from a reactive purchasing environment to a structured, strategic procurement model.
This role offers a significant opportunity to define strategy, implement best practice, and drive measurable commercial value.
The Role
You will lead the procurement function, managing a small team and working cross-functionally with commercial, operations, and supply chain stakeholders.
Key responsibilities include:
- Defining and delivering a clear procurement strategy and operating framework
- Transitioning the function from reactive sourcing to proactive category management
- Driving cost optimisation, value engineering, and improved purchase price performance
- Strengthening supplier strategy, onboarding, and contract management
- Implementing robust processes, governance, and data discipline
- Leading risk management across commodities, supply continuity, and compliance
- Supporting growth plans through scalable sourcing strategies
- Developing and coaching the procurement team to build capability and consistency
Context & Challenges
The current environment is:
- Fast-paced and customer-led, with a high degree of operational reactivity
- Lacking standardised processes, systems, and data consistency
- Managing complex sourcing across ingredients and packaging categories
- Limited in proactive supplier development and market engagement
The successful candidate will bring structure, clarity, and forward planning, enabling the function to operate more strategically and efficiently.
Candidate Profile
Experience:
- Senior procurement leadership experience (Head of / equivalent)
- Background within Food Manufacturing, FMCG or similarly fast-moving, high-volume environments
- Motivated by value creation, not just cost control
- Familiarity with retail customer expectations and audit requirements
- Proven track record of delivering transformation, cost savings, and operational improvements
- Previous experience working in highly matrixed environments
- Experience of creating and delivering balanced scorecards
- Strong understanding of ethical sourcing, supplier standards, provenance and supply chain integrity in Food/FMCG environments
- Ability to balance cost, quality, risk and reputation in sourcing decisions
- CIPS Qualified
- Educated to Degree Level or equivalent
- Experience managing a total spend of circa £60million minimum
- Experience managing complex supplier bases and multiple categories
- Strong exposure to manufacturing or supply chain environments
- Proven exposure to raw materials and ingredient procurement
- Previous experience in packaging desirable
Capabilities:
- Strong commercial acumen with advanced analytical and negotiation skills
- Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, evolving environments
- Experience implementing processes, governance, and category strategies
- Confident stakeholder engagement across senior and cross-functional teams
Style:
- Hands-on and delivery-focused, with the ability to balance strategy and execution
- Resilient and adaptable within a high-paced and ambiguous environment
- Collaborative but able to challenge and influence effectively
- Being a ‘builder’ not a ‘custodian’
- Confidence and experience to introduce change in a confident and pragmatic way
Opportunity
This is a high-impact leadership role offering the opportunity to:
- Build and shape a procurement function
- Deliver tangible commercial and operational improvements
- Play a key role in supporting business growth and supply chain performance
To apply please email your CV to charlotte.mcfadzen@hprtalent.com or call 0115 870 0115 for more details
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