Head of Centre-Led Procurement

Position Summary

The new Head of Centre-Led Procurement will have the opportunity to drive Transformational and Strategic Procurement for the Group whilst also establishing Operational governance to optimise in-country procurement practices. This is a critical role to ensure the Group and individual Product teams achieve profitability and business growth objectives and will require close collaboration with commercial teams to achieve priority targets. To support this role, a small Centre-Led Procurement team needs to be established and will be expected to drive improved in-country day-to-day procurement practices and performance.

Reporting to the Group COO, you will be responsible for the development, implementation and governance of procurement policy and strategy to optimise expenditure across our 19 regional locations, focusing on the below priorities:

• establish strategic initiatives for key supplier and expenditure categories
• enhance supplier and partner relationships to deliver additional business benefit
• lead key/global supplier negotiations and support in-country negotiations when needed
• partner with commercial teams to ensure that cost savings drive margin improvements
• support business transformation and drive new ways of working, incorporating new technologies and process enhancements

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to be part of a transformative business, with the capability to drive improved competitiveness and increase profitability.

If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for procurement and the ability to lead in a multinational environment, we want to hear from you. Join our team and make a significant impact on our global operations.

Reporting, Governance & Control

• Develop and implement procurement policies and processes to ensure a consistent and standardised approach, and monitor compliance with relevant internal & external regulations
• Oversee the management of critical commercial, contractual, operational, financial, reputational, ethical and supply chain risks whilst still encouraging opportunity and innovation
• Investigate and analyse market trends and best practice, generating insight via analysis of costs, benefits and supply markets
• Identify appropriate department KPI's and measure and monitor performance
• Adopt emerging technologies to drive process efficiencies and enhanced control

Strategy

• Develop and execute a global procurement strategy aligned with the company's objectives, as well as product category strategies aligned with business needs and local considerations
• Analyse data to identify key spend categories and vendors and implement targeted cost productivity initiatives
• Identify opportunity for Vendor consolidation and reciprocal arrangements with industry partners
• Build and manage relationships with key internal stakeholders to provide strategic insights and advice, resolve complex issues and deliver high performance cost, service and quality outcomes
• Collaborate closely with key internal stakeholders to drive procurement organization change and adoption of new processes and technologies.

Vendor Relationships & Negotiation

• Negotiate with and manage relationships with key group vendors, securing favorable terms and conditions to support profitability and cash flow improvements
• Establish strong relationships with Principal accounts in order to optimise costs and reduce the administrative burden of reporting, communication and data integration
• Provide additional guidance & support to local procurement teams in vendor management and/or negotiations as required

People & Process

• Establish new Centre-led Procurement function, drive new ways of working and best practice sharing
• Provide leadership, direction and effective management of the Centre-Led procurement team as well as relevant in-country procurement resources
• Provide coaching, training, mentorship, and guidance to ensure high performance and professional development.

Requirements:

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field
• Professional qualifications (CIPP or equivalent) or MBA is advantageous

Skills &Experience

• 10+ years of experience in procurement, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
• Proven track record in establishing and managing multinational procurement operations
• Extensive process design & enhancement experience to deliver operational efficiencies in addition to cost optimisation

Knowledge

• Services, logistics or agency business background, with knowledge of relevant industry trends and best practice
• Solid understanding of Agent:Principal relationships and various pricing strategies e.g. cost-plus commercial models
• Proficiency in procurement software and tools, and how to integrate with key business processes
• Knowledge of contract law and vendor management practices

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinking and decision-making abilities
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Fluency in English and ideally one additional Asian language
• Commitment to upholding high ethical standards, integrity, and confidentiality