Overview

Head of Procurement Centre of Excellence

Location: UK Remote / Europe Remote /Poland - Katowice Procurement is changing. Data, AI, automation and better decision-making are becoming just as important as supplier negotiations and savings targets.We’re looking for a Head of Procurement Centre of Excellence to build the engine room behind a newly formed global procurement function. Reporting directly to the Chief Procurement Officer, you'll lead the development of the technology, processes, data, governance and capability that enable procurement teams across the business to deliver at scale. This isn't a role for someone who wants to sit on the sidelines writing strategy decks. You'll be expected to shape the vision, roll up your sleeves, lead delivery and create practical solutions that people actually use. And, ideally, enjoy solving a few complex problems along the way.

The Role

As Head of Procurement Centre of Excellence, you'll lead a small central team responsible for procurement technology, AI, data and analytics, governance, capability development, supplier risk and operational excellence across a global procurement organisation. You'll work closely with procurement leaders, finance, IT, legal, risk and business stakeholders to ensure procurement has the tools, data and frameworks needed to be effective.You'll also act as the senior product owner for the procurement technology landscape, helping translate procurement strategy into sustainable systems, processes and ways of working that drive measurable value

Responsibilities

What You'll Do

• Lead and develop the Procurement Centre of Excellence function across technology, data, process, governance and capability.
• Own the global procurement technology and AI roadmap, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, control and user experience.
• Act as senior product owner for procurement systems, managing priorities, adoption, controls and continuous improvement.
• Drive AI and automation initiatives across sourcing, spend analytics, contract management, supplier risk and operational processes.
• Build trusted procurement data and reporting capabilities, creating clear visibility of spend, savings, value delivery, supplier performance and risk.
• Own global procurement policies, processes, controls and governance frameworks.
• Partner with Finance to establish robust and auditable value tracking and benefits reporting.
• Lead procurement capability programmes, learning initiatives and change management activities.
• Develop supplier risk, ESG and compliance frameworks that are effective without becoming bureaucratic.
• Manage external technology partners, implementation providers and specialist advisors.
• Coach and develop a small team of specialists while influencing senior stakeholders across a global matrix organisation

Qualifications

What You'll Bring

• Significant experience leading procurement transformation, procurement digitalisation or procurement technology programmes within a complex international business.
• A track record of implementing procurement technologies and seeing them through adoption, not just procurement software selections that never quite left the PowerPoint stage.
• Experience delivering AI and automation use cases with measurable business outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of procurement data, analytics, savings validation and value tracking.
• Experience acting as a business product owner and working with technology vendors and implementation partners.
• Solid understanding of procurement governance, policy, controls and process design.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage senior leaders across procurement, finance, IT and the wider business.
• Degree-level education or equivalent experience. Professional procurement qualifications would be advantageous.
• Manufacturing sector experience would be beneficial but isn't essential.

What You'll Get

• Remote working across the UK or Europe
• Opportunity to shape and lead a newly established global Procurement Centre of Excellence
• Direct exposure to executive leadership, including the Chief Procurement Officer
• A broad international remit spanning indirect and direct procurement activities
• The chance to influence procurement's digital, AI and data strategy from the ground up
• Regular international travel and collaboration with global teams

Interested?

If you're excited by the idea of building a modern procurement capability rather than simply maintaining one, we'd love to hear from you.Apply today or reach out for a confidential conversation. Don't have an up-to-date CV? No problem. Apply with what you have, or connect with our Talent team via LinkedIn for an informal discussion.