Head of Product Development and Procurement

Head of Product Development and Procurement

Do you have experience in product proposition and developing products for resale?

Do you have experience in oversight and delivery of the procurement strategy?

If so, then come and join Charis.

Our ideal candidate will have a blend of procurement expertise and commercial flair. You will be driving product excellence and selection, through building better more integrated relationships with our suppliers - taking ownership of the design and delivery of our procurement strategy.

For more than twenty years, Charis has been successfully operating as a business services enterprise, working as the trusted administrator and fulfilment service for many essential funds and grants, providing complex bespoke services to major organisations which include utility companies, local authorities, housing associations and charities. Success has been built and maintained by blending social, regulatory, and commercial responsibilities, to provide innovative solutions to a rapidly expanding client base.

Charis is a committed team of 50, and we believe it's our empathetic approach and the level of compassion and care we offer to our clients and their beneficiaries, that really sets us apart. We understand the challenges our clients have, we're good listeners, and can creatively manage a wide range of time sensitive demands. This has been crucial in our ongoing success.

With previous demonstrable experience in a strategic procurement or product management role, you will already be adept at streamlining processes, leveraging relationships to build trust and grow market share at optimum prices, and able to innovate and deliver new solutions to meet service needs.

AsHead of Product Development and Procurementyou will be joining at an exciting time. Over the past five years, we have seen unprecedented growth and diversification through expansion of our products, services, and technology solutions. As we enter the next phase of our journey, we need a strategic product expert to introduce best-in-class procurement management and innovative product development.

You will:

• Define and implement product selection policies, ensuring alignment with business strategy.
• Develop a long-term product strategy, leading insights from customer & competitor analysis.
• Manage supplier relationships and negotiate contracts to ensure a robust, high-quality supply chain.
• Lead & coach a procurement professional, building a high-performing product management team.
• Collaborate across functions to create compelling product and service propositions.
• Take ownership of supplier contracts, overseeing negotiations and compliance with legal advisors.
• Deliver a structured procurement roadmap, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

You will be:

• A proven leader in procurement & product management, with strategic purchasing expertise.
• A commercially savvy strategist, able to drive product innovation and margin improvements.
• A strong negotiator and relationship builder, comfortable influencing at senior levels.
• A collaborative team player, working across business functions to align product vision.
• A problem solver & decision-maker, with a keen eye for efficiency and risk management.
• A highly analytical thinker, using insights to develop market-leading product propositions.

You will be degree qualified, with a professional certification and experience in leadership roles within procurement and/or product management. Contract management and supplier negotiations will be second nature.

This is a career-defining role for a commercially savvy leader who can blend procurement, product strategy, and supplier relationship management to build an inventive, competitive, and progressive product portfolio.