Head of Procurement

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are recruiting for a Head of Procurement reporting into the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who will be responsible for strategic oversight and management of all procurement, contract management (including renewals) and third-party relationship management activities across the firm.

The Head of Procurement will be responsible for developing and implementing proactive, progressive, procurement strategies, policies, and processes to optimise the firm's purchasing and supply chain operations.

The role holder will be required to collaborate and influence various departments and stakeholders to ensure cost-effective and efficient procurement practices while maintaining high-quality standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The key responsibilities of this role are set out below and there may be others which are not listed. You may be required on occasion to work outside our normal working hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm.

• Develop, educate and embed procurement strategy, policy, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with regulatory and responsible business requirements.
• Lead appropriate integration and change management of consistent procurement policies and frameworks.
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify potential suppliers and evaluate and assess their capabilities, quality, and competitiveness.
• Regularly monitor and evaluate supplier performance, agreeing KPIs and addressing any issues of non-compliance with contractual obligations.
• Audit existing contracts to ensure they are fit for purpose and delivering value and if necessary, initiate and manage re-tendering.
• Actively mitigate and manage risk across all of the firm's procurement contracts and activities.
• Implement value initiatives and continuous improvement measures to optimise procurement operations.
• Monitor industry trends and technological advancements to identify opportunities for innovation and efficiency in procurement practices.

Strategy:

• Develop and execute (in collaboration with the firms legal and risk teams) pro-active procurement strategies that are aligned with the firms' values, commitments, risk appetite, goals, and objectives.
• Ensure that the procurement strategies are effective in building and maintaining a resilient supply chain for the firm.
• Manage the end-to-end procurement process, including sourcing, negotiation, contracting and supplier relationship management.
• Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers, ensuring favourable terms, pricing, and service levels.

Leadership:

• Consolidate internal team and external advisors to provide full cross-functional procurement support.
• Lead and manage the procurement team, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities.
• Promote and model behaviour in accordance with Slaughter and May's values.

Collaboration:

• Positively collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand their procurement needs and provide guidance on sourcing strategies.
• Create and champion a business partner delivery model within the newly formed procurement function.
• Ensure the procurement strategy is understood and supported by your internal stakeholders.
• Work closely with all offices to build strong working relationships and create opportunities for further collaboration.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Candidates for this position must have:

• We are looking for an extremely energetic and motivated individual, who has both experience and ideas in all of the areas mentioned above. CIPS Level 6 Diploma essential and MCIPS or FCIPS would be advantageous as would experience of working in a partnership or professional services firm.
• Proven experience as a Head of Procurement or in a similar senior procurement role within a multinational organisation.
• Strong knowledge of Procurement processes, best practices, and legal requirements.
• Excellent negotiation, contract management, and supplier relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement procurement strategies to achieve cost savings and operational efficiency.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, conduct market research, and make informed decisions.
• Ability to "roll sleeves up" as well as being able to give a "bigpicture" view.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire others.
• Proficiency in procurement software and tools.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, CIPS Level 6 Diploma, a Master's degree would be desirable.