Head of Procurement

The Opportunity

We are recruiting for an experienced and commercially driven Head of Procurement to join an established and growing specialist distribution business.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior procurement professional to take ownership of the purchasing function, develop supplier relationships and implement strategies that improve commercial performance, product availability and operational efficiency.

The business operates within a fast-paced distribution environment, supplying an extensive range of technical products to trade and commercial customers.

The successful candidate will play a key role in strengthening procurement processes, improving purchasing performance and supporting the continued growth of the business.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement & Purchasing

• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with commercial objectives and business growth.
• Lead the purchasing function, ensuring competitive pricing, efficient buying processes and strong supplier performance.
• Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs, improve supplier terms and protect gross profit margins.
• Review existing supplier agreements and negotiate improved pricing, rebates, payment terms and contracts.
• Identify and develop new supplier relationships across domestic and international markets.
• Develop category management strategies to improve purchasing performance across extensive product ranges.

Inventory Management & Stock Optimisation

• Work closely with Operations and Sales to ensure product availability meets customer demand.
• Review stockholding levels to reduce excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory.
• Improve stock turnover, replenishment strategies and inventory efficiency.
• Implement effective supplier lead-time management and stock availability measures.
• Use purchasing and inventory data to identify opportunities to reduce working capital.
• Establish appropriate stock policies across key product categories.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed cost, quality, service and delivery KPIs.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews and implement performance improvement initiatives.
• Identify alternative sourcing opportunities to strengthen supply continuity.
• Improve supplier reliability, product availability and commercial competitiveness.
• Resolve supplier performance issues and manage supply-related risks.

Procurement Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Lead, coach and develop the purchasing team, establishing clear objectives and accountability.
• Review existing procurement processes and implement improvements that increase efficiency.
• Develop meaningful KPIs covering cost savings, supplier performance, stock availability and purchasing effectiveness.
• Improve ERP system utilisation, procurement reporting and data accuracy.
• Collaborate with Sales, Finance, Warehouse and Operations to align procurement decisions with business priorities.
• Promote a proactive, commercially focused approach to purchasing across the organisation.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in a senior procurement position, ideally as a Head of Procurement, Procurement Manager, Purchasing Manager or Senior Category Manager.
• Strong background in procurement within a distribution, wholesale, industrial supplies, hardware, fixings or construction products environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing extensive product portfolios and supplier relationships.
• Proven track record of delivering purchasing savings and improving commercial margins.
• Strong understanding of inventory management, replenishment and stock optimisation.
• Excellent negotiation, supplier management and contract management skills.
• Experience leading and developing purchasing teams.
• Strong commercial awareness and analytical skills.
• Experience using ERP systems and purchasing data to drive improvements.
• Ability to work collaboratively with senior management and operational departments.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within the ironmongery, fixings, fasteners, M&E or building products distribution sectors.
• Experience managing high-volume, multi-SKU purchasing environments.
• International sourcing and supplier development experience.
• CIPS qualification or working towards MCIPS.
• Experience implementing procurement transformation and process improvements.
• Knowledge of supplier rebates, category profitability and stockholding optimisation.
• Experience managing procurement during business growth or operational change.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a hands-on, commercially focused procurement leader who understands the challenges of operating within a specialist distribution environment.

You will be confident managing suppliers, challenging existing purchasing arrangements and developing strategies that deliver measurable improvements.

The ideal candidate will combine strategic procurement expertise with a practical understanding of stock availability, customer demand and the importance of protecting commercial margins.

You will be comfortable taking ownership, developing people and working closely with senior leadership to improve business performance.

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to lead and develop an established purchasing function.
• Significant influence over procurement strategy and supplier relationships.
• Scope to deliver measurable improvements in purchasing costs, stock efficiency and commercial performance.
• Work within an established specialist distribution business.
• Collaborate directly with senior leadership and influence key business decisions.
• Play an important role in supporting future business growth.

To Apply

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact SF Partners.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.