We are seeking an experienced and strategically minded Procurement Head of Category for Capital Projects & Operations, to lead all procurement activity across a diverse and high-impact portfolio of capital investment projects and operational expenditure for this leading UK & European transport & logistics firm.
Managing c. £50m in annual spend, the new Head of Category will be responsible for leading the strategic procurement, category management and strategic planning of capital project and operational expenditure for operational assets, infrastructure, facilities, and equipment across the client. This exciting new opportunity will ensure the effective planning, sourcing, and delivery of capex projects and operational expenditure, driving value, compliance, and alignment with business objectives. The role acts as a key interface between procurement, business operational teams, and finance to optimise investment outcomes and supplier performance.
This is a senior, highly visible position requiring strong category leadership, deep procurement expertise, and the ability to collaborate closely with operational, technical and financial stakeholders to drive value, performance and deliver the short, medium and long-term business objectives.
The role offers a comprehensive package with a base salary circa £80K-£85K pa. The successful candidate would need to be based at the client’s Woking offices 3-4 days/week and there would be monthly travel required to other UK & European locations in line with business needs and project demands.
Key Responsibilities
*Develop and lead category strategies for capital projects and operations, ensuring alignment with operational requirements and financial objectives
*Oversee sourcing activity for capital investments and operations, including tendering, supplier selection and contract negotiation
*Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across operations, engineering, finance and project management to understand requirements and influence decision making.
*Build and manage strategic supplier partnerships to ensure delivery, innovation, and continuous improvement
*Ensure robust contract frameworks are in place to manage risk, compliance, and performance across Capex investments.
*Monitor category spend, forecast procurement budgets, and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or timelines
*Ensure procurement governance is maintained across all capital projects and operations supplier interfaces, and provide regular reporting to senior leadership
Key Deliverables:
*Delivery of category strategies and strategic plans across categories in scope
*Delivery of capital procurement projects and operations procurement projects on time, within budget, and to specification
*Achievement of targeted cost savings and value improvements
*Supplier performance and compliance with contractual obligations
*Stakeholder satisfaction and alignment with business needs
*Risk mitigation and adherence to procurement governance
*Development and execution of long-term category strategies
*Delivery of targeted term agreements with strategic suppliers
About You
*Extensive experience in procurement and category management, specifically within capital or asset-intensive environments and industries with significant maintenance and operations focus.
*Proven track record of leading large-scale sourcing initiatives and managing complex supplier relationships
*Strong understanding of capital project lifecycles, engineering requirements, and commercial contracting
*Experience working with cross-functional teams in a matrixed organisation
*Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive strategic outcomes
*Familiarity with procurement processes and systems, data analytics, and performance reporting
*Degree-level education and MCIPS qualification (or equivalent)
If you are a strategic procurement leader with deep experience in capital-intensive environments and a passion for delivering value through effective sourcing and supplier management, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Dalton Recruitment Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this role. We will always try to respond to all applications individually but due to the high volume we receive, this may simply not be possible. So if you do not hear back from us within 3 working days, please accept our apologies but please also assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.