Head of Indirect Procurement - Global Manufacturing Transformation

Head of Indirect Procurement – Global Manufacturing Transformation Northamptonshire | Hybrid | Circa £100,000 + Package To apply, contact Adam at a.venting@bramwith.com Are you a senior procurement leader looking for the opportunity to genuinely build and transform a global indirect procurement function, rather than simply inherit an established model? We are partnering with a long-established, international manufacturing organisation undergoing a significant transformation of its global procurement function. Historically, procurement activity has largely been managed at a local and site level, and the business is now investing in the people, processes and capabilities required to establish a more strategic, coordinated global procurement model. As part of this transformation, they are creating a new Head of Indirect Procurement position to take ownership of approximately £50m of indirect spend across 8 global manufacturing sites. This is a highly visible role with the opportunity to shape how indirect procurement operates globally. You will develop the long-term category strategy, improve source-to-pay processes and governance, strengthen supplier management and drive greater consistency across a complex international organisation. Importantly, this is not simply a cost-out position. You will work closely with senior stakeholders across Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, HR, IT, Legal and site leadership to increase procurement engagement, influence demand and embed procurement earlier within business decision-making. As Head of Indirect Procurement, you will:

• Own the global indirect procurement strategy across 8 manufacturing sites and circa £50m annual spend
• Develop and implement 3–5 year category strategies across a broad portfolio of indirect spend
• Lead categories including Facilities, Engineering Services, Maintenance, Professional Services, Logistics, IT, HR Services, Travel, Utilities and Site Services
• Lead and continuously improve the end-to-end source-to-pay model, including sourcing, contracting, supplier onboarding, purchase-to-pay compliance and governance
• Identify commercial opportunities through supplier consolidation, demand management, specification review, working capital optimisation and strategic negotiation
• Build strategic supplier relationships and establish stronger approaches to performance management, SLAs, contract governance and continuous improvement
• Partner with senior stakeholders and site leadership internationally, balancing global procurement strategy with individual site requirements
• Improve procurement compliance, risk management and supplier resilience across the indirect portfolio
• Help shift procurement from a historically decentralised model towards a more consistent, strategic and globally coordinated function
• Develop procurement capability and commercial awareness across the wider organisation, helping change stakeholder behaviours and increase early procurement engagement The formal remit spans commercial value, governance, supplier performance, risk management and procurement capability development. We are looking for:
• Significant senior-level procurement experience with a strong background across indirect category management and strategic sourcing
• Experience operating within a complex, international and multi-site environment
• A track record of procurement transformation, particularly within decentralised or locally led organisations
• Strong experience across a broad range of indirect categories, ideally within manufacturing, chemicals, engineering or another complex industrial environment
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and successfully navigate matrix organisations where procurement does not necessarily have direct control
• Strong knowledge of source-to-pay, procurement governance, contract management, supplier relationship management and risk
• Experience managing significant spend portfolios and delivering measurable commercial value through structured category strategies
• A confident, credible and collaborative leadership style, with the resilience to challenge established ways of working and bring stakeholders with you through change
• MCIPS or equivalent professional procurement experience would be advantageous The organisation is specifically looking for someone comfortable leading change across multiple sites and stakeholders, with experience improving procurement capability and changing behaviours within decentralised environments. Why apply? This is a rare opportunity to join a procurement function at the point of transformation. Rather than stepping into a mature, heavily structured indirect procurement environment, you will have the mandate to help define what good looks like: shaping global category strategy, introducing greater governance and consistency, building stronger supplier relationships and demonstrating the value that a strategic procurement function can bring to the wider business. You will join an established international manufacturing organisation with a significant global footprint, while having the autonomy and visibility associated with a newly created leadership position.