About our company
Camira are a multi-award-winning textile designer and manufacturer with two centuries of heritage and a forward-thinking approach to innovation and sustainability, Camira designs and manufactures environmental fabrics for the commercial, public transport and residential sectors.
Purpose of the role
The Head Purchasing Contracts and Projects is a leadership position charged with managing the procurement activities for an organisation. This role involves developing and implementing purchasing strategies, leading projects to unlock potential, negotiating with suppliers, and ensuring that all procurement activities align with the company's ESG, operational and financial goals to transform purchasing from a routine administrative task into a strategic advantage.
A successful Head of Purchasing Contracts and Projects must possess a blend of strategic thinking, financial acumen, and exceptional negotiation skills to drive organisational success through effective supply chain management.
The day to day
- To adhere to the Camira Code of Conduct and comply with all relevant quality, environmental, health & safety, data protection, and corporate legislative requirements
Strategic Project Sourcing and Planning
- Develops Procurement Strategies: Creates tailored procurement plans for projects that align with business goals, including supplier selection, tendering, and cost estimation.
- Manages Project Timelines: Coordinates with project teams to align with project milestones, ensuring that materials and services are available when needed to avoid delays.
High Level Supplier Management
- Negotiates Strategic Contracts: Leads negotiations for critical projects, establishing favourable contract terms, rebates, and service level agreements (SLAs).
- Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Managing and negotiating with suppliers at a senior level to ensure optimal performance, quality, and price whilst building and maintaining strong, long-term partnerships, auditing their performance against KPIs.
- Risk Mitigation: Identifies potential risks in the supply chain (e.g., price fluctuations, supply and service shortages, logistics delays and ethical issues) and develops contingency plans or alternative sourcing options.
Project Based Financial and Operational Control
- Value added cost control: Holds responsibility for purchasing budgets, tracking spend against forecasts, identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiencies and crucially following through to visibly demonstrate tangible price, cost and waste reduction.
- Standardisation and Process Improvement: Develops and implements standardised, efficient procurement processes to ensure consistency and compliance across projects.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works closely with all other departments to understand their purchasing needs and align with operational requirements.
Compliance and ESG
- Sustainability & ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance): Integrates sustainable and ethical sourcing practices into project procurement.
- Compliance: Ensures all purchasing activities adhere to company policies, industry regulations, legal and ethical standards.
Leadership and Team Development
- Mentors Colleagues: Leads and develops a team of logistics, buyers and procurement specialists, providing coaching and training on negotiation, market analysis, and ethics.
- Performance Monitoring: Sets departmental KPIs and monitors performance to ensure that project objectives are met.
Skills & Knowledge
- Strong Negotiation Skills: Expert level contract negotiation and the ability to secure optimal terms.
- Project Management Discipline: Results-oriented with the ability to meet strict deadlines.
- Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills to work with diverse stakeholders.
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related commercial discipline.
- Certification: Ideally a Fellow or Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) or equivalent (e.g., CPSM, CSCP).
- Experience: Usually 7–10+ years of senior-level procurement and project experience, including a proven track record in leadership and strategic cost reduction.
Other Considerations
- Strategic thinker with a practical, action planning and execution-focused mindset.
- Collaborative influencer who can work across functions without direct authority
- Analytical proficiency in data analysis and financial acumen to support decision making.
- Customer-centric and insight-driven.
- Proactive, ownership-oriented, and accountable for outcomes
- Valid Passport (Due to the nature of the role, traveling abroad is occasionally required)
- 23 Days + Bank holidays - plus option to buy
- Tech and cycle to work scheme
Camira Values
Our success lies in our customer’s success. We focus on building long lasting relationships and delivering a brilliant customer experience to a global market; using digital technologies, providing high-quality products, support and services that add value, inspire, and exceed expectations.
Our commitment to quality, health & safety, and environmental standards ensures we consistently deliver products and services that meet both customer and regulatory requirements. We do the right thing, no matter how hard. We uphold integrity, honesty, and transparency with our customers, our people, and the planet. We respect our resources and commit to making pioneering fabrics and delivering value added services that contribute positively to a more sustainable future.
Apply today
At Camira, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of our values. We adopt a workplace where every team member feels valued and respected. Our inclusive culture ensures all employees have equal opportunities for growth and development. If you require any adjustments and/or additional support during the interview process, please let the talent team know.
Join Camira and be part of a company that values your unique skills and supports your professional journey. Apply now and contribute to our mission of delivering exceptional fabrics.