Group Director of Procurement & Supply Chain
Location: Walsall, West Midlands
Salary: Competitive + Executive Benefits Package
Travel: UK-wide travel required (circa 20%)
Shape the Future of Procurement Across South Staffordshire Group
South Staffordshire Group is seeking an exceptional procurement and supply chain leader to join our senior leadership team as Group Director of Procurement & Supply Chain.
Reporting directly to the Chief Commercial Officer, this newly created leadership role will define and deliver the Group's procurement, supply chain and commercial governance strategy across a diverse portfolio of regulated and non-regulated businesses.
This is a unique opportunity to influence strategic decision-making at Executive level, transform procurement capability, strengthen supply chain resilience and create sustainable commercial value across the Group.
About South Staffordshire Group
South Staffordshire Group is a diverse integrated services organisation operating across two regulated water businesses alongside a range of complementary infrastructure, environmental, compliance, technology and business services companies.
The Group combines a strong heritage in water and infrastructure with a growing portfolio of specialist businesses that deliver innovative solutions to customers across the UK. Our operations span regulated water supply, water and wastewater services, infrastructure and engineering, compliance and safety services, contact centre and back-office operations, software and technology solutions, and commercial water supply and logistics.
Our family of businesses includes South Staffs Water, Cambridge Water, Advanced Engineering Solutions, Hydrosave, G Stow, OnSite, Integrated Water Services, Omega Red, Echo Managed Services, Aptumo, Aqua Direct and Office Water Coolers.
Together, these businesses support critical infrastructure, essential services and environmental sustainability, serving customers across both public and private sectors. As we continue to evolve and grow, procurement and supply chain excellence will play a vital role in delivering value, resilience and sustainable success across the Group.
About the Role
As Group Director of Procurement & Supply Chain, you will lead the development of a high-performing procurement function that acts as a strategic business partner across all Group businesses.
You will be responsible for shaping and delivering procurement strategy, optimising third-party spend, strengthening supplier relationships, embedding commercial governance and ensuring procurement contributes directly to business performance, growth and operational resilience.
Working closely with Executive Directors, Managing Directors and senior stakeholders, you will drive procurement transformation initiatives, improve commercial outcomes and ensure our supply chain partners support the Group's ambitious operational, sustainability and growth objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
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Develop and deliver the Group Procurement Strategy.
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Position procurement as a strategic advisor to the Executive Team and wider business.
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Lead category and sourcing strategies that maximise value and leverage Group scale.
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Drive procurement excellence across all Group businesses.
Supply Chain Management
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Create a resilient, sustainable and high-performing supply chain.
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Build strategic relationships with key suppliers and partners.
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Lead supplier performance management and governance frameworks.
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Ensure robust supply chain risk management and continuity planning.
Commercial Governance
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Provide leadership for procurement governance and contract management activities.
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Develop policies, frameworks and delegated authority structures.
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Support major supplier negotiations and strategic contract awards.
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Ensure commercial risks are effectively managed and reported.
Transformation & Continuous Improvement
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Lead the modernisation and transformation of procurement capability.
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Implement digital solutions, automation and data-driven decision making.
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Establish meaningful performance measures and reporting frameworks.
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Promote innovation, efficiency and best practice throughout the function.
ESG & Responsible Procurement
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Embed responsible procurement principles across the Group.
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Support sustainability, carbon reduction and social value objectives.
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Improve supplier ESG performance, transparency and assurance.
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Drive ethical sourcing and responsible supply chain practices.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
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Lead, coach and develop high-performing procurement and supply chain teams.
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Influence senior stakeholders across the organisation.
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Act as the Group's ambassador with key suppliers, industry bodies and partners.
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Build capability and succession plans to support future growth.
What You'll Bring
Essential Experience
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Significant senior procurement leadership experience within a large, complex and multi-site organisation.
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Proven track record of delivering procurement transformation and value creation programmes.
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Extensive strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management expertise.
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Strong commercial and financial acumen.
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Experience leading, developing and inspiring high-performing teams.
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Ability to influence and engage effectively at Executive and Board level.
Desirable Experience
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Experience within utilities, infrastructure, engineering or regulated sectors.
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Knowledge of ESG, sustainability and responsible procurement frameworks.
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Experience implementing procurement technology and digital transformation solutions.
Qualifications
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Degree qualified or equivalent senior leadership experience.
Why Join South Staffordshire Group?
This is a rare opportunity to shape procurement and supply chain strategy across a complex and highly diverse Group of businesses. You'll have the opportunity to influence Executive-level decision making, lead transformational change, build strategic supplier partnerships and create lasting commercial value across a portfolio of regulated and non-regulated operations.
If you are an ambitious procurement leader looking for a role that combines strategic influence, operational impact and the opportunity to build a best-in-class procurement function, we would love to hear from you.
At South Staffordshire Limited, inclusion matters. We have a wide range of employee networks which are employee-led communities that bring our people together, support different perspectives and create a strong sense of belonging. Our people are encouraged to get involved as members or allies.
We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.
We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including all genders, ethnicity, sexual orientations, and physical and neurodiverse abilities.
We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and encourage you to let us know how we can best support you throughout the recruitment process
