Head of Procurement

Manchester, Lancashire
First Central Services

We’re 1st Central, a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. And that’s the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty mega too!

Are you a strategic procurement leader ready to make a real impact? At 1st Central, we’re looking for a passionate Head of Procurement to steer our Procurement Team. You’ll work alongside senior leaders to deliver against our business plan and shape our long-term strategies in line with company objectives.

In this high-impact role, you’ll be responsible for the design and implementation of procurement activities that offer strategic direction, deliver value for money, and elevate procurement to a truly strategic business function. You’ll drive a best-in-class approach to procurement, outsourcing, across the 1st Central Group, ensuring compliance with our Group Risk Framework and championing robust savings, risk management, and regulatory practices.

If you’re passionate about developing and leading high-performing teams, transforming procurement capability, and building strong business partnerships-this could be your next big move.

Must-have skills to be successful in this role:

• Strategic Leadership & Transformation Delivery – You’ll bring experience in leading end-to-end procurement strategy and transformation programs that align with business objectives, delivering long-term value and operational excellence.
• Advanced Stakeholder Management & Influencing Skills – You’re confident building strong relationships and influencing senior stakeholders across complex, regulated environments to position procurement as a strategic business partner.
• Category Management & Commercial Expertise – You’ll use your expertise in category strategy, indirect procurement, and outsourcing to drive commercial outcomes through effective supplier management and contract negotiation.
• People Leadership & Team Development – You’re a natural leader who will inspire, mentor, and develop a high-performing, inclusive team, while fostering a collaborative and supportive culture.

What’s involved:

• Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of a strategic procurement and outsourcing framework, including supplier selection, commercial negotiation, contract execution, and cost savings.
• Drive the Procurement and Outsourcing Strategy, aligning with corporate goals and regularly reporting progress to the FCG Executive.
• Develop category strategies in partnership with relevant stakeholders to ensure business needs are met and market opportunities leveraged.

Leadership & Culture

• Lead, coach, and inspire a procurement team to become high-performing through change, providing clear direction and supporting development and wellbeing.
• Promote a culture of trust, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement aligned to the First Central Way
• Head a team of Procurement business partners & Procurement professionals to ensure consistent, high-quality support across the business.
• Provide effective business management by planning and managing budgets and evaluating performance.
• Oversee robust risk management, regulatory compliance, and ethical sourcing practices.
• Champion procurement integrity, sustainability, and ESG/DEIB commitments, working closely with the ESG Strategy Manager and Third Party Risk Management team to meet Scope 3 requirements and maintain supplier accreditation and performance.
• Review and manage Outsourcing, Procurement, and Supplier Management policies and ensure the business is well-versed in these requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement & Business Partnership

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, ensuring SLA adherence and supplier performance.
• Work cross-functionally with all business pillars and Finance to align procurement strategies with the corporate strategy, streamline purchasing, and improve data and reporting.
• Develop effective communication mechanisms to ensure stakeholders are engaged and informed, building a strong network of support.

Governance & Reporting

• Provide control and oversight of procurement policies, procedures, and Category Managers, regularly reporting to the FCIM Executive.
• Develop and maintain the Supplier Due Diligence strategy in liaison with the Group General Counsel.
• Facilitate the quarterly Outsourcing Committee, ensuring accurate reporting and effective meeting delivery.
• Deliver measurable cost reduction and performance improvement across the supply chain.
• Continually assess business needs and market trends to inform procurement priorities.
• Steer the development of learning and development initiatives to embed good procurement practices throughout the business.
• Ensure procurement activity contributes to strategic, sustainable, and diverse supply chain development.

Data & Lifecycle Management

• Oversee the Supplier Management database, ensuring contract lifecycle milestones are proactively managed.
• Undertake regular assessments of supplier information and engage with key internal stakeholders to support informed, strategic decision-making.

Experience, knowledge, skills & qualifications:

• Educated to degree level or holding an equivalent professional qualification; MCIPS or equivalent is desirable.
• Significant experience in indirect procurement, including strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contract negotiation within regulated environments.
• In-depth knowledge of outsourcing and the procurement of indirect business services, with a strong track record managing large, business-critical contracts.
• Proven success in delivering strategic procurement solutions and transformation programmes, embedding best practice, and identifying substantial savings opportunities.
• Ability to work effectively in complex, cross-functional environments and influence at board level to drive value and operational efficiency.
• Expertise in category management with experience developing and implementing category strategies across various spend areas.
• Experience across the full Source-to-Pay lifecycle, including use of tools and systems such as Ariba or Coupa.
• Skilled in supplier due diligence, contract drafting, and ensuring governance aligned to procurement strategy and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in material outsourcing within FCA-regulated businesses and a strong understanding of the financial services or insurance sectors.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Strong commercial acumen, with a measured approach to decision-making and the ability to build both short-term value and long-term strategic partnerships.
• High level of organisation and time management, with the ability to manage multiple procurement projects concurrently.
• Demonstrated experience in leading, mentoring, and developing inclusive, high-performing teams while driving change and continuous improvement.
• Solid understanding of business operations and regulatory requirements, including FCA and Gibraltar FSC guidelines on outsourcing.

Behaviours:

• Ambitious and driven to succeed with abundant energy and enthusiasm.
• A passion for delivering tangible and measurable results.
• Commercially focussed and results driven.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic.
• An organised and pro-active approach.
• Ability to lead and influence.
• A flexible approach and positive attitude.
• Embrace, embed and incorporate the Company values.
• Emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy.
• Takes initiative to make decisions.
• Strives to drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business.

If you’re ready to lead strategic procurement in a business where innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement are part of everyday life, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to join a company that values your expertise, supports your growth, and gives you the opportunity to make a real difference. Let’s shape the future of procurement at 1st Central-together.