Interim Head of Procurement
Cambridge – Hybrid
Inside IR35 - £750 per day
3 - 6 month contract
The Opportunity
A senior procurement leadership role within a complex, multi-site business.
This position sits at the forefront of a significant procurement evolution, with a mandate to elevate commercial performance across a technically-led spend portfolio. Working closely with executive leadership, the role will shape and embed a more strategic, value-driven procurement model – moving beyond cost control to drive wider business impact.
Acting as the senior procurement partner to a core operational division, the individual will influence at board level and play a key role in aligning commercial strategy with broader organisational objectives.
The Role
This is a high-profile leadership position responsible for a substantial and complex area of third-party spend, spanning projects, technical services and supply chain delivery.
Key focus areas include:
- Setting and delivering a forward-looking category and commercial strategy aligned to wider business priorities
- Driving measurable improvements across cost, margin, risk and supplier performance
- Embedding stronger governance, controls and risk management across a broad and diverse supply base
- Leading and developing a senior team, enhancing capability and creating a highperformance culture
- Acting as a strategic advisor to senior stakeholders, influencing decision-making and longterm planning
- Defining and delivering the Hard Services procurement strategy
- Strengthening supplier relationships to unlock innovation, resilience and long-term value
- Supporting wider business transformation, including the adoption of digital, data-led and AIenabled procurement approaches
Alongside day-to-day leadership, the role will play a critical part in major business initiatives including bids, mobilisations and strategic change programmes.
What We’re Looking For
This role would suit an experienced procurement leader who thrives in complex environments and is comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels.
You will bring:
- A strong track record of leading large, high-value spend areas within a complex organisation
- Experience delivering commercial improvement within project-led or asset-intensive environments
- The ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders, including at executive level
- A blend of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery focus
- Deep understanding of supply chain risk, governance and performance management
- Experience leading sizeable teams through change and transformation
- A commercially astute, outcomes-driven approach
- Exposure to environments such as Facilities Management, infrastructure, outsourced services or similar technical sectors would be advantageous, but not essential.