Head of Procurement
Hull - office based
Salary: £38,000 to £50,000 (depending on experience)
Reporting to: Board of Directors
About the Company
We are a growing and well-established business specialising in fixings, fasteners, and ironmongery, supplying a broad customer base across multiple sectors. With a strong reputation for quality and service, we are now looking to strengthen our leadership team as we continue to expand.
About the Role
This is a key, hands-on leadership role overseeing all procurement activity, combining day-to-day buying with improvements in supplier management, stock control, and cost efficiency. You’ll work closely with the Board to protect margin, improve stock performance, and support growth.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Buying
- Manage day-to-day purchasing across core product ranges
- Maintain stock levels to meet demand while minimising excess
- Raise and manage purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery
- Monitor market trends and material costs to inform buying decision
Supplier Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with UK and overseas suppliers
- Negotiate pricing, terms, and supply agreements
- Source and onboard new suppliers to improve cost and availability
- Monitor supplier performance (quality, delivery, reliability)
Cost Control & Margin Improvement
- Drive cost-saving initiatives and improve gross margin
- Benchmark pricing and review market competitiveness
- Work with Sales to align pricing with current costs
- Assess UK vs import sourcing opportunities
Stock & Inventory
- Own stock control strategy including min/max levels and forecasting
- Reduce slow-moving and obsolete stock
- Improve stock accuracy and stock turn with the warehouse team
- Analyse demand trends and seasonality
Import Sourcing
- Support development of direct import sourcing (Far East, India, Europe)
- Manage landed cost considerations (freight, duty, lead times)
- Assist with supplier onboarding, sampling, and quality control
Systems & Reporting
- Use ERP systems to manage purchasing and reporting
- Produce reports on spend, stock, suppliers, and margins
- Identify and improve procurement processes
Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead and develop a small procurement team
- Work closely with Sales, Operations, and Finance
- Support product sourcing and technical queries
About You
Essential
- Experience in procurement/buying (ideally within fixings, fasteners, ironmongery or similar)
- Strong negotiation and supplier management skills
- Commercially aware with a focus on cost and margin
- Experience managing stock in a fast-paced environment
- Hands-on approach suited to an SME
- Exposure to importing goods
Desirable
- Knowledge of the fixings/fastenings market
- ERP or stock system experience
- Previous team leadership experience
Personal Attributes
- Commercially sharp and detail-focused
- Confident, decisive, and proactive
- Strong relationship builder
- Comfortable working both strategically and operationally
- Adaptable in a fast-paced environment
Success Measures
- Improved gross margin and cost savings
- Increased stock turn and reduced excess stock
- Strong supplier performance and commercial terms
- High product availability and service levels
Why Join Us?
- Key leadership role within a growing SME
- Real opportunity to influence business performance
- Hands-on, commercially focused environment
- Opportunity to shape and improve procurement processes
Interested? Apply now with your updated CV.