Head of Procurement Strategic Sourcing & Materials (Advanced Manufacturing)

A global industrial technology and advanced materials manufacturer is seeking an experienced procurement professional to take ownership of strategic sourcing and supplier development across its international operations.

This newly created position requires someone who has progressed beyond transactional or execution-focused procurement and can independently identify sourcing priorities, assess supply risks, develop procurement strategies and influence key supplier decisions.

The successful candidate will combine strong hands-on procurement capability with the ability to think strategically. You should be comfortable moving from analysing a supply risk or identifying a sourcing opportunity through to developing the strategy, evaluating alternatives, engaging suppliers, negotiating commercial terms and implementing the solution.

The role will cover raw materials, engineered components, manufacturing parts and equipment. Experience sourcing raw materials, specialty materials, metals, minerals or chemicals would be particularly valuable, although candidates with strong strategic sourcing experience across technically complex components or equipment will also be considered.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, R&D and other international stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of sourcing strategies across raw materials, technical components, engineered parts and manufacturing equipment.
• Proactively identify sourcing opportunities, supply vulnerabilities and areas requiring procurement intervention, rather than operating solely against predefined sourcing requirements.
• Conduct supplier, commercial, geopolitical and supply-chain risk assessments and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Analyse existing supply markets and determine where alternative suppliers, dual sourcing or geographic diversification are required.
• Identify, assess, qualify and develop new suppliers internationally.
• Participate in and influence key sourcing and supplier-selection decisions alongside Engineering, Manufacturing, R&D and Finance.
• Develop sourcing recommendations balancing cost, quality, technical capability, lead time, sustainability and supply security.
• Lead RFQs, supplier evaluations, commercial negotiations and long-term supplier agreements.
• Partner with technical teams to understand requirements and challenge existing sourcing approaches where appropriate.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships and drive supplier performance and development.
• Support the development of a more resilient and internationally diversified supplier network.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or another relevant technical discipline.
• Strong procurement or strategic sourcing experience within a manufacturing or technically complex industrial environment.
• Demonstrated progression beyond transactional/category buying into sourcing strategy, supplier decision-making and risk assessment.
• Evidence of having independently identified procurement priorities or supply risks and developed solutions, rather than solely executing assigned sourcing activities.
• Experience participating in important supplier selection, sourcing strategy or supply-chain decisions.
• Strong commercial, analytical and negotiation capabilities.
• Experience working with international suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Ability to understand technical requirements and work effectively with Engineering, R&D and Manufacturing.
• Experience sourcing raw materials, specialty materials, metals, minerals or chemicals would be highly advantageous.
• Strong strategic sourcing experience involving engineered components, technical parts or manufacturing equipment will also be considered.
• Mandarin Chinese language capability would be advantageous.
• Suitable for an ambitious procurement professional looking to step into broader international responsibility and continue progressing toward senior procurement leadership.