Head of Procurement & Supply Planning

Location: East of England, near to Cambridge (3 days per week onsite) + regular international travel

Salary: £90,000–£110,000 + attractive bonus + car allowance + healthcare

Type: Full-time, permanent

Ready to lead integrated procurement and planning at scale within a complex international fresh produce supply chain?

About the Role

We’re supporting a market-leading fresh produce business to appoint a Head of Procurement & Supply Planning into a senior SLT position.

This is not a transactional buying role. It is integrated supply leadership — connecting retail demand, international production, grower partnerships and UK operations into a disciplined, margin-protecting, forward-looking supply system.

You’ll lead end-to-end sourcing and a integrated planning process, embedding governance, strengthening resilience, and protecting long-term competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Sourcing Strategy

• Own and deliver a 3-year sourcing roadmap
• Strengthen strategic grower partnerships across multiple international regions
• Lead cost modelling across freight, labour, packaging and yield drivers
• Mitigate geopolitical, freight, climate and supply risk
• Deliver procurement savings and margin optimisation

Integrated Planning & S&OP Leadership

• Lead the demand and supply planning cycle
• Chair Supply Review and contribute to Executive S&OP
• Improve forecast accuracy, availability and waste control
• Embed planning discipline and forward risk visibility

Financial & Governance Accountability

• Own margin performance across the category
• Improve transparency of full cost build-up by SKU
• Support pricing and inflation mitigation strategy
• Embed structured procurement governance and supplier frameworks

Leadership

• Lead and develop a team
• Drive accountability through data and structured process
• Build trusted relationships across international sourcing regions and UK operations
• Restructure and elevate the procurement & planning function

What You’ll Bring

• 8–12+ years’ senior experience within fresh produce or similair industry procurement & supply leadership
• Proven ownership of integrated S&OP processes
• Strong margin accountability and financial acumen
• Experience managing complex international supply chains
• Strategic thinker with operational credibility
• Track record of embedding structure, governance and performance discipline

Nice to Have

• Exposure to vertically integrated or farm-direct models
• Experience with sea freight optimisation
• Spanish language skills

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to shape procurement and planning at a strategic level within a high-performing international fresh produce business.

You’ll sit on the SLT, influence long-term supply resilience, and lead transformation at a pivotal moment in the organisation’s journey.

If you’re a commercially sharp, internationally experienced leader ready to operate at SLT level — apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion.