- The Head of Purchase will be the strategic leader responsible for overseeing and managing all Purchase activities for both Direct (raw materials, components, goods for resale) and Indirect (IT, HR, Marketing, Facilities, Professional Services, etc.) categories.
- This role is accountable for developing and executing a unified purchase strategy that drives cost savings, ensures continuity of supply, mitigates risk, and promotes ethical and sustainable sourcing practices across the organization.
Key responsibilities Area:
- Purchase Strategy:Define, develop, and implement a holistic, multi-year purchase strategy for all direct and indirect categories that aligns with the overall business objectives for growth, profitability, and operational efficiency.
- Spend Management:Oversee and manage the organization's total third-party spend, driving a high percentage of spend Under Management to maximize value realization.
- Budget & Forecasting:Lead the annual purchase budgeting process, providing accurate and timely cost forecasts and savings projections across all categories.
- Category Management:Establish a robust category management framework, ensuring expert knowledge of market trends, supplier landscapes, and cost drivers for all key spend areas.
Direct Purchase (Focus: Supply Continuity, Quality, & Cost of Goods Sold)
- Input Material Sourcing:Lead the strategic sourcing of all production-critical input materials and components, ensuring security of supply, quality compliance, and optimal landed cost.
- Inventory & JIT:Collaborate closely with Operations and Supply Chain to optimize inventory levels and support Just-In-Time (JIT) or other inventory strategies for direct materials.
- Risk Mitigation:Develop and implement supply chain resilience plans, including dual-sourcing strategies for critical materials, to mitigate risks related to geopolitical, logistical, and quality issues.
- Value Engineering:Partner with Engineering and R&D to drive cost-out initiatives through material substitution, design-to-cost principles, and identifying innovative supplier solutions.
Indirect Purchase (Focus: Operational Efficiency & Total Cost of Ownership)
- TCO Focus:Implement Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) models for major indirect spend areas (e.g., IT systems, facility services, logistics) to drive long-term value over simply focusing on price.
- Stakeholder Partnership:Act as a strategic partner to internal stakeholders (HR, IT, Marketing, Finance) to understand their business needs and ensure Purchase delivers fit-for-purpose solutions.
- Process Efficiency:Streamline and automate the Procure-to-Pay (P2P) process for indirect spend to enhance user experience, improve compliance, and reduce maverick spending.
- Service Level Assurance:Establish and monitor stringent Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for critical service providers (e.g., outsourced services, consulting).
Supplier Relationship & Contract Management
- SRM & Negotiation:Establish a formal Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) program for strategic and critical suppliers (both Direct and Indirect). Lead complex, high-stakes contract negotiations for high-value and long-term agreements.
Performance Monitoring:Oversee the regular assessment and management of supplier performance, quality, and delivery, ensuring corrective action plans are in place where necessary.
- Contract Lifecycle Management:Ensure robust contract drafting, execution, and management processes, safeguarding the organization's legal and commercial interests.
Compliance, Ethics, and Sustainability
- Governance & Compliance:Establish and enforce best-in-class Purchase policies, processes, and governance structures, ensuring strict adherence to legal, regulatory, and internal control requirements.
- Ethical Sourcing:Champion the organization's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability goals by implementing supplier diversity programs and ethical sourcing audits.
- Risk Reporting:Provide timely and accurate reporting on Purchase performance, savings realization, and critical supply chain risks to the Executive Leadership Team.
Team Leadership & Development
- Talent Management:Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing and collaborative Purchase team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, strategic thinking, and ethical behaviour.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration:Serve as the primary Purchase representative on cross-functional executive steering committees and major business projects.
