Who are we?
The AF Group is the UK’s largest Member-owned, non-profit agricultural purchasing co-operative, representing over 3,000 farmers and rural businesses. Based in the UK, it leverages a £330m+ annual turnover to deliver cost-effective procurement for inputs like fuel, fertiliser and machinery, aiming to save its Members time and money.
Role Description
The AF Group is seeking an exceptional Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) to shape, elevate and deliver our procurement and supplier management strategy. This is a pivotal, board‑level role reporting directly to the CEO, responsible for ensuring we secure the right products and services at the right value—while upholding the highest standards of governance, operational excellence, sustainability, and member value.
If you are a commercially driven, forward‑thinking procurement leader who thrives in a complex, fast‑moving environment, this is your opportunity to make a significant impact across our organisation and the wider agricultural community.
Key responsibilities
- Develop and execute a procurement and supplier management strategy aligned with our business objectives.
- Identify opportunities for commercial growth, operational efficiency, and enhanced supplier performance.
- Lead strategic supplier negotiations to secure best value, innovation, and risk mitigation.
- Drive new procurement opportunities and value‑add services informed by market trends.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally to improve processes, digital capabilities, and member outcomes.
- Oversee supplier segmentation, governance frameworks, KPIs, SLAs, and continuous improvement programmes.
- Influence senior stakeholders to embed best‑practice procurement behaviours.
- Support wider business teams during peak periods as needed.
What you will lead
- Lead, develop, and inspire a high‑performing procurement team.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and data‑driven decision making.
- Champion a member‑first mindset across procurement and supplier management.
- Promote collaboration across teams to enhance service delivery and identify cross‑selling opportunities.
What you will bring
Essential:
- Proven senior procurement leadership experience within agriculture, financial services, insurance, commercial services, or other regulated industries.
- Expertise in strategic sourcing, category management, supplier management, negotiations, and procurement transformation.
- Experience implementing digital procurement tools.
- Strong commercial acumen, analytical capability, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to influence executive stakeholders and lead organisation‑wide change.
- Experience leading and developing high‑performing teams.
Desirable:
- Experience with digital CLM tools.
- Background in agri‑business or membership‑based organisations.
- Understanding of agricultural industry challenges.
Qualifications
- Professional procurement qualification (MCIPS or equivalent).
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, Agriculture, or related field preferred.
- Customer service training or qualifications beneficial.
Who you are
We’re looking for someone who:
- Champions our core values and delivers outstanding customer service.
- Brings drive, resilience, and a proactive mindset.
- Takes ownership and accountability for team performance.
- Builds strong relationships and fosters collaboration.
- Approaches challenges with positivity, initiative, and a solutions‑focused attitude.
- Is friendly, approachable, and committed to continuous improvement.
Our Values – The 6Cs - Being better, together
Care - Curiosity - Create - Collaborate - Challenge - Communicate
We foster a collaborative, supportive culture where colleagues feel valued and recognised. Our 6Cs detail how we expect all colleagues to work together every day, and as a leader in the business the CPO will be expected to champion them.
Benefits
Salary: Competitive + annual car allowance of £7,500
Hours: 37.5 per week Monday to Friday
Additional Benefits:
- 8% employer pension contribution (salary sacrifice)
- 26 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays. This rises with each years’ service by an additional day, up to 4 extra days
- Have your birthday off as an extra days holiday, if it falls on your working day
- Free lunch daily from our onsite Café
- AF Membership (giving discounts at hundreds of retailers and suppliers)
- Life assurance 3 x salary
- Private Health Insurance (family cover)
- Discounted gym membership
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary Sacrifice car scheme
- Hybrid working (1 day working from home per week)
- Free onsite parking
Job Type: Full-time
Application question(s):
- Will you be able to reliably commute to Norwich NR9 5BZ for this job? Own transport is essential as we are not on a public transport route.
- How many years Head of / Director level experience do you have?
- Do you have experience leading large Teams?
- Hybrid - can you commit to 4 days on site in the Honingham office each week?
- Do you have an MCIPS (or equivalent) qualification?
Education:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
