Procurement Lead External Manufacturing

As Procurement Lead External Manufacturing, you will report to the Director External Manufacturing and play a pivotal role within the European procurement organisation. You will lead a team of two buyers while managing a strategically important external manufacturing portfolio focused on food production.

You will be responsible for driving supplier performance, productivity initiatives, risk mitigation, and long-term category strategies. The role requires close collaboration with Operations, Commercial, Product Development, Quality, Marketing, and Supply Chain stakeholders across Europe. With ownership of a significant spend portfolio and responsibility for key supplier relationships, this position offers substantial visibility and impact.

If you are a hands-on procurement leader who enjoys building supplier partnerships, developing people, and driving measurable business results, this could be the ideal next step in your career.Responsibilities (not limited to):

• Manage strategic external manufacturing supplier relationships across Europe.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of two procurement professionals.
• Develop and execute category and supplier strategies.
• Lead complex contract negotiations and commercial discussions.
• Drive productivity, cost improvement, and value creation initiatives.
• Identify and mitigate supply, operational, commercial, and quality risks.
• Manage financial planning and spend performance for the assigned portfolio.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders across Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, Marketing, Quality, and Commercial functions.