Head of Procurement – Produce & Ambient

Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire 
Salary: Competitive
 
We’re recruiting a Head of Procurement (Produce & Ambient) to lead sourcing, supplier strategy, and commercial performance across one of the most business‑critical areas of our operation.
 
This is a high‑impact, senior commercial role with ownership of fresh produce at its core, alongside dairy, bakery, chilled, frozen, and ambient food categories. You’ll play a pivotal part in securing supply, protecting margins, and building an industry‑leading procurement function.
 
The Role
 
As Head of Procurement, you will:

Own the end‑to‑end sourcing strategy across fresh produce, dairy, bakery, chilled, frozen, and ambient categories
Lead and develop a high‑performing procurement team, with clear succession planning
Manage domestic and global suppliers, growers, processors, and import partners
Negotiate short, medium, and long‑term contracts, driving value, resilience, and continuity of supply
Balance commercial performance with food safety, ethical, and sustainability standards
Work cross‑functionally with Supply Chain, Technical, Quality, Logistics, Operations, and Sales
Mitigate risk linked to seasonality, weather, market volatility, and global supply disruption
Drive margin performance, cost savings, forecast accuracy, waste reduction, and supplier KPIs
 
What We’re Looking For
 
You’ll be a proven procurement leader with:

Significant senior‑level procurement experience within food, with a strong bias to fresh produce
Multi‑category exposure across fresh, chilled, frozen, bakery, dairy, and ambient
Deep understanding of produce seasonality, global sourcing, and pricing dynamics
Strong commercial acumen and negotiation capability within FMCG
Experience modernising or transforming procurement functions
Previous people leadership experience within food or fresh produce
CIPS or equivalent qualification (desirable)
 
You’ll also bring gravitas, resilience, and the ability to operate calmly in fast‑moving, commercially intense environments.
 
What’s on Offer

Competitive annual salary
Bonus Scheme
Car allowance
25 days holiday + bank holidays
Private health insurance, pension, life assurance
Retail discounts and additional long‑service benefits
 
Working Pattern

Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week
Early starts required to align with operational changeovers
Flexibility during seasonal peaks and international supplier travel (UK & overseas)
 
If you’re a senior procurement professional with deep fresh‑produce expertise and ambition to shape strategy at scale, we’d love to hear from you.
 
Reynolds Food Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
 
REF-(Apply online only)