Head of Procurement

A growing and well-established organisation within the industrial products sector is seeking an experienced Head of Purchasing to oversee its end-to-end buying function.

Based in the Essex area, this senior-level opportunity offers significant autonomy and the chance to play a key role in shaping product strategy, supplier partnerships and commercial performance across an extensive portfolio of branded and own-label products.

Salary is highly competitive and flexible depending on experience, alongside an attractive bonus structure and benefits package.

The Opportunity

Reporting into senior leadership, you will take responsibility for supplier management, sourcing strategy, stock optimisation, pricing and range development. The role requires a commercially focused individual who enjoys working closely with products and influencing which ranges are developed and launched into the market.

Applicants must have previous experience sourcing directly from manufacturers across Asia, particularly China and the Far East.

Key Responsibilities

* Managing and mentoring an established purchasing and buying team.
* Developing supplier relationships across international and European markets.
* Identifying opportunities to expand and improve the existing product portfolio.
* Negotiating pricing, managing margins and ensuring product availability.
* Approving purchasing activity and overseeing key commercial decisions.
* Collaborating with technical, quality, marketing and product teams on new product launches.
* Monitoring product performance, warranty trends and quality feedback.
* Reviewing the product lifecycle to determine future range strategy.
* Keeping informed on competitor activity and market developments.

Requirements

* Significant experience within purchasing, procurement or buying in a product-focused environment.
* Strong understanding of physical products and imported finished goods.
* Experience sourcing from China and wider Far East supply markets.
* Previous leadership experience managing buyers or procurement teams.
* Strong commercial acumen across stock management, supplier performance and margin control.
* Ability to operate confidently at senior leadership level.
* Proactive, hands-on and commercially driven approach.

Package

* Excellent basic salary with flexibility for the right individual.
* Performance-related bonus.
* Private healthcare.
* Pension scheme.
* Life cover.
* Additional employee perks.
* Office-based role, Monday to Friday in Essex.

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