Job Requisition Number 7007
Work Type Permanent
Job Function Procurement & Estates
Salary Range £90,000 - £100,000
Base South East Hub
Closing Date 23:59 on 14/11/2024
About the role
The Head of Procurement Improvement will report to the Director of Procurement and is responsible for delivering efficient, effective process performance. This will be achieved by developing and optimising procurement strategies, implementing best practices, overseeing the management of supplier relationships including performance measurement, maintaining procurement systems, and ensuring user compliance with Procurement Procedures. Continuous improvement and innovation will form a key part of the drive to achieve sustainable procurement excellence.
The Head of Procurement Improvement will be instrumental in delivering the long-term strategic vision for procurement, supporting the Director of Procurement to develop and deliver the Procurement Target Operating Model and Procurement Improvement Plan in preparation for a new procurement system implementation in 2027.
This role will operate within a matrix organisation structure, reporting directly to the Procurement Director and working closely with cross-functional teams. The successful candidate will understand their impact on the organisation and their ability to manage across the procurement team.
What you’ll be responsible for
As a member of the Procurement Leadership team, the role holder will be responsible for:
1. Championing a culture of continuous improvement across all procurement processes, focusing on quality enhancement, delivery performance, and value add.
2. Strategically developing and overseeing supplier development initiatives to enhance supplier performance and mitigate supply chain risks.
3. Identifying and establishing strategic partnerships with new suppliers to drive DCC's resilience and sustainability objectives.
Implement Best Practices
1. Leading the implementation of industry-leading procurement practices to achieve operational excellence.
2. Driving innovation in procurement strategies to ensure sustainable procurement excellence and organisational benefit.
3. Developing and overseeing comprehensive training programs for the procurement team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous learning.
4. Analysing and optimising procurement metrics to identify strategic areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.
Overseeing Management of Supplier Relationships
1. Overseeing and enhancing supplier performance management across DCC, ensuring consistent and effective contract management.
2. Leading the strategic management of supplier relationships to ensure alignment with organisational goals and long-term collaboration.
3. Fostering cross-functional collaboration, engaging with finance, operations, and procurement category teams to ensure alignment with business objectives.
4. Directing and managing high-impact procurement-related projects and initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment and timely delivery.
5. Providing Contract Management guidance and support to contract managers on strategic and high-risk contract issues.
Developing and Managing Systems
1. Overseeing the maintenance and strategic optimisation of procurement systems to enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness.
Ensuring Compliance
1. Ensuring compliance with procurement policies, procedures, and relevant regulations, embedding a culture of integrity and accountability.
Budget and People Accountability
1. Managing Procurement Legal Financial and Commercial Resources as required by the project.
2. Number of direct reports TBC.
About you
* Extensive procurement experience in procurement or supplier chain management, with significant experience in leadership roles.
* Skilled in leading change, including cultural shifts towards continuous improvement and innovation in procurement practices.
* Proven track record of developing and managing strategic supplier relationships and partnerships.
* Demonstrated experience in driving continuous improvement initiatives within procurement processes utilising methodologies such as lean, Six Sigma or similar.
* Experience in implementing and optimising procurement systems (e.g., ERP systems, e-procurement platforms) and leveraging technology to drive efficiency.
* Strong understanding of procurement regulations and compliance requirements, with experience in ensuring adherence to policies and standards.
* Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including finance, operations, and retail teams.
As well as a market competitive salary, 36 days annual leave (pro rata, including public holidays), we offer a range of employee benefits and rewards including:
1. Variable pay schemes (your salary band will remain the same, but performance depending, you could receive an incremental within-band increase and a yearly incentive).
2. Option to buy additional annual leave up to 5 days per year.
3. Health Insurance plus annual health checks.
4. Enhanced employer pension contributions – Up to 11% employer contributions.
5. Free Mortgage Brokering Services.
6. Enhanced family-friendly policies.
7. Progression opportunities, including the ability to apply for funded training and coaching and mentoring programmes.
8. Gym and fitness discounts as well as high street shopping.
9. Cycle to work scheme.
10. Discount off all Welsh Water visitor attraction centres and gift shops.
11. Car-leasing scheme and free on-site parking at all sites.
12. Health CashBack scheme and access to an online GP service.
13. An employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate family.
14. Many more can be found here!
Whilst also working for a not-for-profit company that truly cares about earning the trust of customers every day and about looking after our beautiful environment. Please note, we may close this role sooner if required. We may also extend the original closing date depending on interest.
Due to the nature of the industry, we require satisfactory references, post-offer medical clearance, and a criminal records Basic Disclosure check on all new employees joining the business. For some roles, there may be additional checks and security clearance required, and this offer is subject to all checks being satisfied. You will receive further information on how to complete these checks via email once you have accepted this offer.
Who we are
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water keeps 3 million people healthy each day with safe, reliable water, and takes away wastewater to clean, before returning it safely to our beautiful rivers and seas.
To deliver high-quality, essential services which help protect the health of our customers, colleagues, and our environment, we need the right people to deliver on our vision. This is achieved by living our core values and demonstrating the core behaviours that underpin them. The security of our people, assets, and information is key to us, so we are looking for people who understand and comply with the company’s required security objectives.
We know that the most successful teams are the most diverse teams. Equality, diversity, and inclusion provide the very foundation of our culture at Welsh Water. We want every individual to feel confident, proud, and able to bring their whole selves to work.
To ensure improved representation in our workforce, applications are particularly welcome from minority groups including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people, Females, LGBT+, Non-binary and people with disabilities. Together we continue to build a workplace that not only celebrates the diverse voices of our colleagues but also represents each customer we serve.
In essence, ours is a company based on trust, openness, respect, commitment, and honesty. A company that our colleagues are proud to work for.
Job Segment: Procurement, Supply Chain, Contract Manager, Compliance, Performance Management, Operations, Legal, Human Resources
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