Head of Indirect Procurement
This is a Full Time/Flexible Working, Permanent vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.
The Vacancy
Head of Indirect Procurement
Location: National (hybrid), with travel to London offices and project sites.
The opportunity
As Head of Indirect Procurement, you’ll set and lead the Group-wide approach for indirect goods and services—spanning Category Management, Supplier Relationship Management and Supplier Performance Management. You’ll lead our Procurement Shared Service, including the central Procurement Hub (Buying, Labour and Fleet), driving efficiency, consistency and value across the business. Your impact will be seen in improved supply chain performance, risk management and year‑on‑year savings that support our strategic goals.
What you’ll do
- Set the strategy. Document Group and divisional needs and build a multi‑year plan that creates value, improves performance and expands Procurement’s effective scope. Actively scan the market for innovations, disruptions and constraints and fold those insights into your roadmap.
- Lead category excellence. Guide the team to develop category strategies grounded in business needs, market dynamics and current performance, and lead negotiations for your assigned categories.
- Strengthen supplier partnerships. Manage key indirect suppliers, leverage Group buying power, and use SME insight to deliver better outcomes.
- Raise performance & manage risk. Agree clear performance standards with internal customers, implement due diligence and ongoing monitoring, and maintain a live risk & opportunity register. Demonstrate continuous improvement in supply chain performance and spend under management.
- Lead and empower the team. Coach, support and challenge your team through regular reviews. Provide concise monthly reporting on category performance and strategy delivery, continuously improving the efficiency and utility of the Procurement Hub. Develop succession plans for critical roles.
About you
You’re a collaborative leader who balances strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery. You can challenge the status quo constructively, win hearts and minds, and turn complex data into clear actions.
You’ll bring:
- HND/degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management or Construction Management (or equivalent experience) and MCIPS.
- A proven track record leading indirect procurement, including complex, high‑value negotiations.
- Experience coaching and developing professional teams.
- Strong analytical skills and objective, clear communication.
- A history of adopting new technologies to improve performance.
What we offer:
- Competitive salary & bonus
- Flexible working
- Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade)
- Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates)
- Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more…
- Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression.
- Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity.
Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.
Work for Wates
Wates is one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies. Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment.
We are driven by our purpose, ‘reimagining places for people to thrive’ and our three promises:
Thriving places – working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
Thriving planet – protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.
Thriving people – creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in, and treated with care.
We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer. We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.
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