Head of Procurement

Ford & Stanley Executive Search
Candidate Opportunity Briefing Document

Role: Head of Procurement.

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Group) are a leading Executive search firm to the UK, North American and European Rail, Defence, Technology & Heavy Manufacturing industries.

Our search directors, search consultants and research teams specialise in all horizontal functions of our clients’ organisations with expertise spanning engineering, commercial, procurement, HR, IT, finance, HSQE, sales, projects, operations and c-suite.

We are trusted by over 100 leading organisations when they seek to make a leadership appointment, be that a permanent appointment or interim solutions. We have been appointed by our client company on a retained search for a Head of Procurement.

Below you will find a candidate opportunity briefing document developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Head of Executive Search & Principal Consultant of Ford & Stanley Executive Search and the HR Business Partner & Resourcing Manager of the business.

This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents, and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

Client Opportunity Statements:

We are in a period of transition across the rail industry as a whole, our business is looking to embrace this change and work closely with our owning group on the challenges we may face across procurement over the coming months and years .

The changes in the industry have meant we need to align from a procurement perspective. Bringing in a Head of Procurement that can deliver cost-savings and enhanced ROI across new and legacy contracts, whilst upskilling an established but uncertain team will be invaluable to ensuring that this progression is smooth .

“Our new Head of Procurement will need to lead from the front, align the team and define what good looks like whilst working alongside the owning group to standardise processes and take us forward as a business .

Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:

• There will need to be a recognition in the business that the industry is changing significantly and as such, the incoming Head of Procurement will need to effectively bring the team on a journey as the business evolves accordingly.
• The incoming Head of Procurement will need to challenge existing ways of working within the businesses, ensuring the what if mindset is present within the team.
• The successful Head of Procurement will be tasked with generating a culture that promotes collaboration and bring together differing perspectives.

Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:

• Demonstrate a reduced reliance on subsidies.
• Owning the procurement strategy, whilst keeping a good eye on any duplication of efforts across the business, increasing alignment with the wider owning group.
• Strong leadership of the team to include a review of structure, skillsets and capability, complete with development plans across the board.

Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)

Working knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23).

Proven ability to operate at a senior leadership level within a similar environment.

MCIPS.

Demonstratable understanding of Procure to Pay P2P.

Familiar and comfortable with large-scale commercial procurement processes.

Strong negotiator with a track record of success in public sector procurement functions.

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)

Stakeholder engagement & management.

Professional gravitas Strong leadership skills.

Comfortable with change, complete with a track record of taking teams on a journey .

Desire and track record of leading from the front.

Proven resilience.

Working Arrangements & Location:

Based out of the London office 3 days a week, with the flexibility of working remotely for the remaining 2 days of the week.

Ford & Stanley Interview Process:

• 1st Stage: Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where interested candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstances.
• 2nd Stage: The shortlist : Candidates are asked to reflect on the candidate discovery discussion, take time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the client business, reporting back on their thoughts, questions and providing additional specific information on their suitability (if applicable). Final checks of role, package and logistical alignments made.

Our Client Company s Process:

• 1st Stage interview: Face to Face Interview panel TBC.
• Final Stage interview: Face to Face Interview Panel TBC – Initial Discussion followed by a presentation.

Good to know:

• The business is part of a wider owning group.
• It s important to note that in line with the ownership group, this individual will have a dotted line into the owning organisation.
• The business has gone through a huge period of change as the industry continues to develop.
• The role has come about due to the previous incumbent moving on from the business.
• The role reports directly into the Financial Director of the business.
• There is a team of 8 in total within the team that are spread across a deputy, senior leads for direct and indirect procurement.
• The position is a critical hire for the business and requires adaptability and understanding of ongoing change within the industry.
• The incoming Head of Procurement will be working closely with the wider team, owning group and HRBPs.
• The business operates very lean; therefore, the role will be required to embrace a hands-on, fast-paced team.
• The business’s key and top priorities include Improving Safety and security, Development and training of employees, reducing energy use and supporting local communities.

Key Responsibilities of the newly appointed Head of Procurement:

• Leadership and Strategy: Leading a team of 8 people at various levels, the new Head of Procurement will have to align and liaise with the wider owning group, create parity with process and feed this into the team. Being a doer and leading from the front, they will be responsible for the development of people in the team, upskilling whilst championing governance across all stakeholders.
• Commercial and Operational Oversight: Overseeing daily operations within the procurement function, understand, champion and own contractual efficiencies and relay this ethos within the team, aligning to the wider owning group understanding and ensuring cost savings are met, less reliance on subsidies and ensuring contracts for new products and contracts are bringing in the best ROI.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Building on the team s culture, ensuring that everyone aligns, having some uncertainty with changes to the industry, whilst working closely with the wider owning group to be able to build relationships across the board, including into the C-Suite.
• Financial Management: No direct financial management required; however, the need to manage new and legacy contracts. Ensure the business and wider owning group are getting the greatest return on investments.
• Team Leadership: Leading the procurement team, managing 8 people in a changing environment, with a lot of industry changes and challenges. Building a strong team ethos and a one team approach that can challenge the norm, whilst leading from the front in a very lean team and business.

Budget:

Low: £80,000/Mid: £87,500/High: £95,000 DOE

Supporting benefits

• Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme EV
• Free Rail Travel
• Private Healthcare
• 25 days holiday + Statutory bank holidays.
• Pension: Final Salary Pension Scheme

Executive Search Delivery Team:

• Billy Jackson Principal Consultant: Client & Search Management & Advisory.
• Sean Kerry Managing Consultant: Shortlisting, Networking, Research, Search, Longlisting, Interviews, Data & Market Intel, Offer Negotiation.
• Ralitsa Kuzeva Executive Assistant: Diary Management, Coordination, Candidate Experience.

About Ford & Stanley Executive Search:

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.

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