Head of Procurement & Supply Planning

  • Henderson Brown Recruitment
  • Eaton Socon, Cambridgeshire
  • Feb 24, 2026
Full time Retail

Job Description

Head of Procurement & Supply Planning

Location: East of England (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.