Head of Procurement

Were 1st Central a marketleading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. And thats the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty mega too!

Are you a strategic procurement leader ready to make a real impact At 1st Central were looking for a passionate Head of Procurement to steer our Procurement Team. Youll work alongside senior leaders to deliver against our business plan and shape our longterm strategies in line with company objectives.

In this highimpact role youll be responsible for the design and implementation of procurement activities that offer strategic direction deliver value for money and elevate procurement to a truly strategic business function. Youll drive a bestinclass approach to procurement outsourcing across the 1st Central Group ensuring compliance with our Group Risk Framework and championing robust savings risk management and regulatory practices.

If youre passionate about developing and leading highperforming teams transforming procurement capability and building strong business partnershipsthis could be your next big move.

Musthave skills to be successful in this role:

• Strategic Leadership & Transformation Delivery Youll bring experience in leading endtoend procurement strategy and transformation programs that align with business objectives delivering longterm value and operational excellence.
• Advanced Stakeholder Management & Influencing Skills Youre confident building strong relationships and influencing senior stakeholders across complex regulated environments to position procurement as a strategic business partner.
• Category Management & Commercial Expertise Youll use your expertise in category strategy indirect procurement and outsourcing to drive commercial outcomes through effective supplier management and contract negotiation.
• People Leadership & Team Development Youre a natural leader who will inspire mentor and develop a highperforming inclusive team while fostering a collaborative and supportive culture.

Were big on working flexibly youllspend most of your time working from home with 1 day per week in the office ateitherHaywards HeathWest Sussex or Salford Quays Manchester(depending on which is closer to where you live! because collaborating with colleagues is always great rightBut of courseitsyour choice if you prefer to be in the office more thats good with us too.

Whats involved:

Procurement Strategy & Framework

• Lead the design implementation and ongoing management of a strategic procurement and outsourcing framework including supplier selection commercial negotiation contract and cost savings.
• Drive the Procurement and Outsourcing Strategy aligning with corporate goals and regularly reporting progress to the FCG Executive.
• Develop category strategies in partnership with relevant stakeholders to ensure business needs are met and market opportunities leveraged.

Leadership & Culture

• Lead coach and inspire a procurement team to become highperforming through change providing clear direction and supporting development and wellbeing.
• Promote a culture of trust collaboration innovation and continuous improvement aligned to the First Central Way
• Head a team of Procurement business partners & Procurement professionals to ensure consistent highquality support across the business.
• Provide effective business management by planning and managing budgets and evaluating performance.

Supplier & Risk Management

• Oversee robust risk management regulatory compliance and ethical sourcing practices.
• Champion procurement integrity sustainability and ESG/DEIB commitments working closely with the ESG Strategy Manager and Third Party Risk Management team to meet Scope 3 requirements and maintain supplier accreditation and performance.
• Review and manage Outsourcing Procurement and Supplier Management policies and ensure the business is wellversed in these requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement & Business Partnership

• Build strong trustbased relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers ensuring SLA adherence and supplier performance.
• Work crossfunctionally with all business pillars and Finance to align procurement strategies with the corporate strategy streamline purchasing and improve data and reporting.
• Develop effective communication mechanisms to ensure stakeholders are engaged and informed building a strong network of support.

Governance & Reporting

• Provide control and oversight of procurement policies procedures and Category Managers regularly reporting to the FCIM Executive.
• Develop and maintain the Supplier Due Diligence strategy in liaison with the Group General Counsel.
• Facilitate the quarterly Outsourcing Committee ensuring accurate reporting and effective meeting delivery.

Performance Value & Continuous Improvement

• Deliver measurable cost reduction and performance improvement across the supply chain.
• Continually assess business needs and market trends to inform procurement priorities.
• Steer the development of learning and development initiatives to embed good procurement practices throughout the business.
• Ensure procurement activity contributes to strategic sustainable and diverse supply chain development.

Data & Lifecycle Management

• Oversee the Supplier Management database ensuring contract lifecycle milestones are proactively managed.
• Undertake regular assessments of supplier information and engage with key internal stakeholders to support informed strategic decisionmaking.

Experience knowledge skills & qualifications:

• Educated to degree level or holding an equivalent professional qualification; MCIPS or equivalent is desirable.
• Significant experience in indirect procurement including strategic sourcing supplier management and contract negotiation within regulated environments.
• Indepth knowledge of outsourcing and the procurement of indirect business services with a strong track record managing large businesscritical contracts.
• Proven success in delivering strategic procurement solutions and transformation programmes embedding best practice and identifying substantial savings opportunities.
• Ability to work effectively in complex crossfunctional environments and influence at board level to drive value and operational efficiency.
• Expertise in category management with experience developing and implementing category strategies across various spend areas.
• Experience across the full SourcetoPay lifecycle including use of tools and systems such as Ariba or Coupa.
• Skilled in supplier due diligence contract drafting and ensuring governance aligned to procurement strategy and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in material outsourcing within FCAregulated businesses and a strong understanding of the financial services or insurance sectors.
• Excellent communication stakeholder engagement negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Strong commercial acumen with a measured approach to decisionmaking and the ability to build both shortterm value and longterm strategic partnerships.
• High level of organisation and time management with the ability to manage multiple procurement projects concurrently.
• Demonstrated experience in leading mentoring and developing inclusive highperforming teams while driving change and continuous improvement.
• Solid understanding of business operations and regulatory requirements including FCA and Gibraltar FSC guidelines on outsourcing.

Behaviours:

• Ambitious and driven to succeed with abundant energy and enthusiasm.
• A passion for delivering tangible and measurable results.
• Commercially focussed and results driven
• Selfmotivated and enthusiastic
• An organised and proactive approach
• Ability to lead and influence
• A flexible approach and positive attitude
• Embrace embed and incorporate the Company values
• Emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy
• Takes initiative to make decisions
• Strives to drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business

If youre ready to lead strategic procurement in a business where innovation collaboration and continuous improvement are part of everyday life wed love to hear from you. Apply now to join a company that values your expertise supports your growth and gives you the opportunity to make a real difference. Lets shape the future of procurement at 1st Centraltogether.

What can we do for you

People first. Always. Were passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so thats what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic inspirational supportive. To get a taste of the advantages youll enjoy take a look at all our perks in full here.

Intrigued Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what were offering so feel free to get in touch.