Head of Procurement

Are you a strategic thinker whos passionate about optimizing procurement and supply chain operations? Blueleaf, a leading care sector supplier, seeks a dynamic Head of Procurement and Supply Chain. This full-time role involves shaping our procurement strategy to maximize profit, cash flow, and efficiency. Youll develop strong vendor relationships, leverage opportunities, and manage a team across locations. If you have a proven track record in procurement and supply chain management, we want to hear from you!

The role can be based at either our Castleford, West Yorkshire, location or our Head Office in Crawley, West Sussex, and will require working from both locations. Working 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, with typical working hours from 8am to 4:30pm, you will report to the Operations Director.

About Blueleaf

At Blueleaf we believe those who care for others are extraordinary. We're here to support them and ensure they never feel alone, and by understanding our clients needs and challenges, this allows us to find the right solutions to achieve their desired outcomes, as well as providing the essentials that every care home needs. In an industry which is all about people, we value relationships above all else, we take the time to get to know them, listen to them, and walk in their shoes and those of their residents - always living our values: 'Stronger Together, Achieve the Outcome, Lead the Way and Care. Always'.

With over 30-years experience in the care home sector and occupying a large portion of this market, were continually looking at ways to expand and grow by seeking new opportunities, and to use our experience and expertise to help care homes deliver outstanding care for their residents. We want to be the best at what we do which is why we focus on expertise and excellence, and a 'Blueleafer' embodies consideration, responsibility, humour, teamwork and honesty no matter what job they are doing.

Blueleaf is an equal opportunities employer.

Your day to day primary responsibilities:

• Develop appropriate supply chain strategy to meet the business needs at the lowest possible cost.
• Lead the supply chain team in executing best practices and measuring performance through agreed upon Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Effective leadership and management of the procurement team including strategy, resource optimization and daily execution and performance tracking to maximise profit, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Plan, manage, and coordinate all activities related to the sourcing and procurement of necessary products needed to meet the changing levels of client demand including new product forecasting and exiting products including slow and obsolete stock.
• Monitor and audit inventory levels at warehouses (including 3PL) to ensure rotation and maximize working capital.
• Work with freight forwarders and transportation companies to set best route and rate (review and approve all freight terms and agreements).
• Collaborate with operations department to determine best practice for freight in and freight consolidation.
• Support proper utilization of business systems, ERP etc. (Netsuite, Netstock, etc.).
• Ownership of the procurement processes, policies, controls.
• Lead all procurement activities including pre-qualification, negotiating supplier agreements, and closing deals with optimal terms.
• Forecast price and market trends to identify changes of balance in buyer / supplier power.
• Develop an overall supplier base which is resilient, helps to sustain a competitive advantage and develop and maintain a supplier relationship and evaluation process to measure effective supplier performance and compliance.
• Key decision maker regarding product lifecycle working closely with Commercial and Category Management teams to onboard and offboard products, ranges or services.
• Provide leadership and management to direct reports and manage a high performing team.

Skills, Experience and Qualities

• Educated to A-Level standard or equivalent. A degree-level qualification in business, operations, management or leadership advantageous.
• A Fellow or Member of The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).
• Commercially and financially astute with experience of managing budgets and a proven track record of delivering results against project deadlines.
• Relevant experience at a senior level, with the ability to engage, negotiate and manage key stakeholders and suppliers.
• Experience in people management with proven leadership and management skills with the ability to optimise team performance and development.
• Competent with Microsoft Office suite.
• Demonstrable experience in Vendor relationships, negotiations and strategies.
• Resilient, optimistic and open to change.
• Self-aware, and shows moral courage, openness and honesty in all dealings
• Self-motivated and able to work well under pressure.
• Excellent communicator, with influencing and negotiation skills (written and verbal)
• Excellent time management, with ability to prioritise and handle a complex and varied workload.
• Analytical, attention to detail, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

What will we offer?

We will offer a salary in the range of £75,000 - £80,000 per annum, 36 days holiday inclusive of bank and public holidays. You will be eligible for inclusion in a discretionary bonus scheme, auto-enrolment into our pension scheme, and a number of welfare benefits such as Death in Service benefit, access to our Medicash scheme that provides cash back towards everyday healthcare bills and access to an Employee Assistance Program.

Location

This role can be located at either our Castleford office in West Yorkshire or our Head Office in Crawley, West Sussex.

Next Steps

Apply now!

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