Director - Purchasing

Job Purpose: Lead the purchasing function under the direction of the Senior Director Strategic Procurement & Category Management, translating enterprise category strategies into effective sourcing, supplier management, and purchasing execution across food and beverage, OS&E, consumables, services, and other assigned categories. The role supports cost optimization, supply continuity, quality improvement, supplier performance, risk mitigation, and governance by partnering closely with operations, finance, legal, commercial, and functional stakeholders to deliver measurable value and reliable service to the business. Job

Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Director in implementing the centralized purchasing and category management strategy aligned with business priorities, growth plans, and operating requirements
• Translate approved category strategies into sourcing plans, supplier actions, contract initiatives, and purchasing activities across assigned spend areas
• Lead purchasing execution for food and beverage, OS&E, consumables, services, and other assigned categories, ensuring cost-effective, compliant, and timely delivery to operations
• Conduct spend analysis, demand reviews, market research, supplier assessments, and opportunity identification to support category plans and sourcing decisions
• Lead RFx, tendering, evaluation, negotiation, and supplier selection processes within delegated authority, ensuring transparency, competitiveness, and commercial value
• Prepare sourcing recommendations, commercial evaluations, and contract award justifications for senior management review and approval
• Manage supplier relationships and performance reviews for assigned suppliers, monitoring cost, service, quality, lead time, responsiveness, compliance, and sustainability performance
• Work with internal stakeholders to challenge demand, clarify specifications, consolidate requirements, and promote standardization and approved buying channels
• Support supplier segmentation, development, rationalization, corrective action, and continuous improvement initiatives in line with the wider procurement strategy
• Identify and escalate supply, commercial, operational, contractual, and compliance risks, and support mitigation plans to protect service continuity and business value
• Ensure adherence to procurement policies, approval matrices, delegation of authority, ethical sourcing standards, supplier onboarding requirements, and documentation controls
• Maintain procurement reports and dashboards covering savings, cost avoidance, contract coverage, supplier performance, compliance, working capital, and risk indicators
• Provide guidance, coaching, and day-to-day direction to purchasing team members to strengthen commercial capability, accountability, service quality, and continuous improvement

Desired Candidate Profile

Bachelor s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field. MBA, master s degree, or professional certification such as CIPS, CPSM, CSCP, ISM, or equivalent is preferred. 10 15+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, category management. Proven experience managing sourcing events, supplier negotiations, contract implementation, and supplier performance within a complex operational environment. Experience supporting or leading category plans across food and beverage, OS&E, consumables, services, trading, distribution, FMCG, hospitality, retail, or similarly complex commercial environments. Strong track record in delivering savings, cost avoidance, service improvements, compliance, and supplier performance outcomes.