We are currently recruiting for a Head of Procurement to work on a hybrid basis, two/three days from our HQ in Coventry and the remainder working remotely from home.

This pivotal role leads a specialist procurement team and has ultimate responsibility for AHDB’s compliance with public procurement regulations along with the management of the group purchasing system. It oversees an annual pipeline of £25m across four key categories of spend and approximately twenty sub-categories, providing expert advice and guidance to the business, encouraging procurement and contract management best practice through all commercial activity.

Working at senior level, we are looking for a proactive procurement specialist, ideally CIPS level 6 (MCIPS) qualified, with proven leadership skills and previous experience gained from within a similar devolved organisation. Further knowledge working with Public Contracts Regulations 2015/2023 is essential.

At the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), we inspire our farmers, growers, and industry to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Working at AHDB, you won’t just be helping our farmers produce the food we eat and look after our environment, you’ll be helping to shape the future of food production and leaving a legacy for the next generation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain legally sound and proportionate procurement processes and procedures in line with project management methodology to reduce unnecessary complexity and support value for money principles
• Promote commercial principles ensuring activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory and legislative requirements
• Provide expert advice on commercial risk management and deliver mitigation plans/strategies to the Leadership Team and Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
• Lead, motivate and manage the procurement team to deliver corporate outcomes and ensure continuous improvement in the field of procurement
• Effectively influence and champion partnership working both internally and externally to help drive greater efficiencies and savings
• Oversee strategic delivery of procurement supported through the annual planning process
• Management of the procurement budget
• Leveraging AHDB’s purchasing power in all major spend categories through agreed procurement strategy (through Defra/government contracts) to obtain value for money
• Lead on supporting the organisation/managers to implement and manage contracts/framework agreements
• Monitor and report AHDB’s compliance and risks with procurement policy and governance
• Oversight and escalation of identified legal commercial matters and procurement risks
• Implement, manage, and contribute to the review of appropriate and effective procurement systems and processes, including Agresso, e-tendering and procure to pay solutions

Essential Criteria

• Degree qualified or equivalent with experience of working in a similar devolved organisation
• CIPS qualified (MCIPS) to level 6 or prepared to work towards this
• Experience or good understanding of Public Contracts Regulations 2015/2023
• Proactive individual who strives for continuous improvement and has a successful track record of delivering results
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills to enable discussion of procurement information with staff at all levels within AHDB
• Collaborative individual with good listening and reflective skills
• Commercial aptitude, strong influencing, and interpersonal skills

The benefits…

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities, to give you the recognition you deserve:

• 35 hours per week, to include hybrid working
• 33 days annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Life assurance cover (4 x salary)
• A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General
• Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
• Recognition Awards throughout the year
• Access to the Government’s tax-free childcare scheme
• Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings

Apply now, or call 02476 935722 if you require any further information.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.

At AHDB, you'll find we are committed to developing, maintaining, and supporting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, to include flexible working opportunities. This applies to both our workforce and the practices we follow.