Head of Procurement

Join us as a Head of Procurement and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!

As Head or Procurement you will be Feras senior procurement subject-matter expert and functional lead responsible for delivering a high-performing best-in-class procurement service across the business. You will play an important role in helping Fera successfully deliver its five-year Growth Plan by securing value managing supplier and supply-chain risk strengthening governance and supporting business growth including the integration of acquired businesses. A proactive and influential business partner you will work closely with Executive members Heads of Business Unit and other senior stakeholders while leading and developing the Procurement Assistant.

What youll be doing:

• Develop and deliver Feras procurement strategy policies governance and annual priorities aligned to the five-year Growth Plan wider business objectives and recognised leading procurement practice.
• Act as the senior procurement subject-matter expert providing authoritative commercially pragmatic advice and constructively challenging stakeholders to achieve optimum procurement outcomes.
• Build strong relationships and ensuring regular and pro-active communications with Executive members Heads of Business Unit and key stakeholders ensuring procurement is engaged early in strategic operational and investment decisions.
• Pro-actively lead strategic sourcing competitive tendering and complex supplier negotiations securing best whole-life value while appropriately managing commercial contractual and operational risk.
• Working with the Heads of Business Units develop effective category management spend analysis and demand management to identify opportunities for sustainable savings cost avoidance improved service innovation and wider value creation. Ensuring this is communicated on a regular basis.
• Establish strong supplier relationship and performance management including oversight of strategic suppliers service performance continuous improvement and supply-chain resilience.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with Feras governance framework delegated authorities ethical standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Provide procurement leadership for strategic projects mergers & acquisitions and business integration including supplier due diligence synergy identification and the adoption of consistent procurement standards.
• Line manage coach and develop the Procurement Assistant setting clear objectives supporting professional development and ensuring effective delivery of day-to-day procurement priorities.
• Drive continuous improvement through better procurement data systems processes market insight and proportionate use of digital tools and automation; maintain clear reporting of procurement performance and benefits.

What were looking for:

• Substantial procurement experience in a complex commercial organisation with a strong track record of operating as a senior procurement professional and subject-matter expert.
• MCIPS or an equivalent recognised professional procurement qualification or demonstrably equivalent senior-level procurement expertise.
• Strong expertise in strategic sourcing category management supplier relationship management negotiation procurement governance and third-party risk management.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering measurable value through procurement including savings cost avoidance service improvement supplier innovation and risk reduction.
• Excellent communication negotiation and influencing skills with the credibility to engage and challenge Executive Leadership Team members Heads of Business Unit and other senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen sound professional judgement and the ability to balance business objectives value risk and governance.
• Proactive innovative and solution-focused with the ability to identify opportunities drive change and continuously improve procurement performance.
• Strong leadership organisational and people-management skills with the ability to develop others and manage competing priorities effectively.

Whats in it for you

• 25 days holiday (rising to 29) with the opportunity to buy & sell extra leave.
• Flexible working hours on-site gym restaurant free parking and a discounted on-site nursery.
• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
• Company matched pension life assurance a cycle2work scheme 15 weeks fully paid maternity adoption and shared parental leave paternity pay of two weeksand plenty more.
• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle from discounts on retail and socialising to health & wellbeing travel and technology
• Fera operates a LTIP ( Long Term Incentive Plan) under which all employees are awarded points towards shares in the Employee Benefits Trust on an annual basis. The Employee Benefits Trust holds shares on behalf of our employee at the point of an equity event the shares will realise a cash value.

What we hope youll do next:

Choose Apply now to fill out our short application so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions youd like to ask before applying you can contact

Were an equal opportunity employer which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. Were committed to providing an inclusive barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. If you need the job description or application form in an alternative format or if youd like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward please email at and well get back to you.

At Fera were making the world a better healthier and safer place. Were a joint venture partnership between Bridgepoint and Defra and were working proactively to protect the world we live in and the food we eat. Our teams are investigating plant and bee health crop protection and sustainable agriculture. Join us and discover better as you deliver world-class science for the future.