Head of Purchasing

KR Recruitment are delighted to be exclusively recruiting this Group Head of Purchasing for a leading international manufacturing group.

Role Purpose

The Global Head of Procurement leads the global procurement strategy across raw materials, energy, major capital expenditures, and other operational spend categories. The role is critical to ensuring supply security, cost competitiveness, disciplined capital deployment, and operational resilience in a global manufacturing environment.

The position requires deep category of expertise in raw materials and energy procurement, strong experience with CAPEX sourcing in industrial settings, and the ability to operate effectively across geographies, cultures, and functions.

Key Responsibilities

Global Procurement Strategy & Leadership

• Execute a global procurement strategy aligned with the business objectives, manufacturing footprint, and risk profile.
• Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing global procurement organization with clear governance, roles, and performance accountability.
• Act as a strategic business partner to Operations, Engineering, Finance, Sustainability, and Commercial teams.

Category Management – Core Focus

Raw materials & Energy

• Lead sourcing strategies for raw materials and energy (electricity, gas, steam, and other utilities as applicable) in support of the global manufacturing operations.
• Manage exposure to raw material and energy market volatility through appropriate contract structures, indexation mechanisms, and supplier diversification.
• Drive supplier segmentation, contract negotiations, and long‑term relationship management with strategic raw material and energy suppliers.
• Partner closely with Operations and Finance to ensure cost competitiveness, supply reliability, and sustainability performance across manufacturing sites.

CAPEX & Engineering Spend

• Lead procurement support for major CAPEX projects, including materials machines, converting lines, infrastructure upgrades, and energy‑related investments.
• Establish structured sourcing, tendering, and supplier evaluation processes for technically complex, high‑value investments.
• Work closely with Engineering and Operations to balance cost, performance, lifecycle value, delivery risk, and execution timelines.
• Support standardized approaches to supplier selection, contractual frameworks, and project governance.

Additional Spend Categories (Plus)

• Oversee MRO and indirect procurement (e.g., spare parts, consumables, energy‑related services, site services) where value can be generated through scale, standardization, or improved governance.
• Drive pragmatic cost discipline without over‑complicating processes in non‑core spend areas.

Supplier, Risk & Sustainability Management

• Build long‑term, performance‑based relationships with key global and regional suppliers.
• Establish supplier risk, quality, ESG, and continuity assessment processes, particularly for critical raw materials, energy supply, and strategic equipment vendors.
• Lead escalation and resolution of major supply disruptions, contractual disputes, or performance issues.

Cost, Value & Performance Management

• Deliver measurable improvements in total cost, value, and supply reliability while safeguarding quality and operational continuity.
• Define, track, and report procurement KPIs (e.g., coverage, savings, exposure, contract compliance).
• Support working capital optimization through contract terms and coordination with Operations and Finance.

Governance, Processes & Compliance

• Enforce compliance with procurement policies, approval frameworks, and contract standards.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, ethical sourcing principles, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, tools, data quality, and transparency.

Experience & Qualifications

Required

• 15+ years of procurement experience in industrial or manufacturing environments.
• Deep experience in raw materials and energy procurement within a materials or manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of energy markets and cost drivers relevant to capital‑intensive, continuous‑process manufacturing.
• Significant CAPEX procurement experience, including complex industrial equipment and plant‑level investments.
• Proven track record leading procurement organizations and delivering step‑changes in performance.
• Experience operating in a global, multi‑site manufacturing company.
• English and French fluency are required

Preferred / Plus

• Familiarity with sustainability and decarbonization considerations in raw materials and energy sourcing.

Leadership Profile

• Strategic, commercially sharp, and operationally grounded.
• Comfortable operating at executive level while remaining close to manufacturing realities.
• Data‑driven, disciplined, and calm under pressure.
• Able to influence, challenge constructively, and build credibility across functions and cultures.
• Pragmatic, hands‑on, and high‑integrity leadership style.