Head of Procurement

Procurement Heads are delighted to be partnering with one of the UK’s largest independent fuel distributors. Backed for significant growth, we are looking for a Head of Procurement to enhance procurement and supply operations as they scale.

This is a critical, senior leadership role responsible for de-risking fuel sourcing, professionalising procurement, and building a scalable procurement function, with significant spend associated with index linked commodities.

This would suit people who have managed volatile, index-linked commodities with real supply risk such as energy, power, chemicals, or oil-linked materials.

Location: West Essex ( On site 4-5 days)

Benefits: Salary in the region of £70k-£85k

Head of Procurement role

The Head of Procurement will manage a small procurement team and will have end-to-end accountability for fuel sourcing, supplier and contract management, forecasting, credit management, and procurement governance.

While the role requires strategic capability, it is equally hands-on, giving you the opportunity to stabilise and improve day-to-day operations while building the processes, controls, and discipline required for future scale.

Key Responsibilities of the Head of Procurement

Fuel Sourcing & Risk Management

• Own and secure the end-to-end fuel sourcing strategy across multiple suppliers and importers.
• Ensure robust contract management covering pricing structures, under-draw and over-draw positions, volume commitments, and commercial exposure.
• Monitor fuel markets, price volatility, and supply risks, putting mitigation plans in place.
• Build contingency plans to protect continuity of supply and margin.
• Develop structured, professional supplier relationship management with fuel companies and importers.
• Lead contract negotiations, renewals, and performance management.
• Ensure clear visibility of contractual positions, exposures, and obligations at all times.
• Improve demand forecasting and alignment with operations and logistics.
• Establish disciplined processes around supplier credit limits, exposure, and financial risk.

Procurement & Governance

• Design and implement procurement policies, processes, and controls suitable for a multi-site, high-value commodity environment.
• Introduce practical tools, templates, and KPIs to improve transparency and decision-making.
• Move the function away from informal, relationship-led practices to robust, auditable processes, without damaging key relationships.
• Lead indirect procurement across the business, identifying opportunities to consolidate and optimise spend across Fleet and logistics services
• Lead, manage, and develop a small, loyal procurement team with strong sector experience

The ideal Head of Procurement

• Senior procurement experience in fuel, energy, liquids, logistics, or a highly volatile commodity environment.
• Proven experience managing fuel or commodity contracts with significant financial exposure.
• Able to balance hands-on delivery with building longer-term strategy and process.
• Passionate people leader with experience developing and upskilling teams.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation capability, and stakeholder management skills.

Highly Desirable

• Background with a fuel supplier, importer or distributor

Benefits

• Salary up to c£85,000
• Private health insurance after 1 years’ employment
• 28 days holiday + 1 extra day of holiday for every full year of service up to 25 days