Head of Direct Procurement

Your new company A leading manufacturing organisation is seeking a Head of Direct Procurement to lead a high-performing category team and take ownership of a direct spend portfolio You will be responsible for developing and delivering category strategies, driving cost reduction initiatives, reducing supply chain risk, and leading strategic supplier relationships across critical direct categories. Your new role Lead and develop a team of Category Managers. Deliver category strategies, sourcing initiatives, and contract negotiations. Drive sustainable cost savings and working capital improvements. Strengthen supplier performance and supply chain resilience. Manage supplier risk and increase contracted spend. Partner with Engineering, Operations, Planning, Finance, and Supply Chain stakeholders. Lead continuous improvement across procurement processes, systems, and ways of working. What you'll need to succeed Proven procurement leadership experience within a manufacturing or engineering environment. Strong category management, sourcing, and contract management expertise. Track record of delivering measurable savings and commercial value Experienced in supplier relationship management and risk mitigation. Data-driven, commercially astute, and capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels. CIPS qualified or working towards a qualification is desirable. What you'll get in return * High level of autonomy and ownership. * Opportunity to shape procurement strategy and team capability. * Significant business visibility and stakeholder exposure. Competitive salary, bonus, and long-term career progression. What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career. Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk