Head of Procurement – Ireland

Location: Ireland
Overview

Our client, a leading multinational organisation operating within a complex manufacturing and supply chain environment, is seeking to appoint a Head of Procurement – Ireland. This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing procurement strategy across Irish operations, driving cost optimisation, supplier performance, sustainability initiatives, and risk mitigation.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in aligning local procurement strategy with broader European and global objectives, while delivering measurable commercial value and operational resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the procurement strategy for Ireland aligned to regional and global objectives.

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives across direct and indirect spend categories.

• Deliver sustainable cost reduction programmes without compromising quality or service levels.

• Act as a key member of the Ireland leadership team, influencing business planning and decision-making.

Supplier & Category Management

• Build and maintain strategic supplier partnerships to ensure continuity, innovation, and competitive advantage.

• Lead contract negotiations for high-value and complex agreements.

• Drive supplier performance management frameworks including KPIs, SLAs, and continuous improvement plans.

• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks through proactive market analysis and contingency planning.

Operational Excellence

• Optimise procurement processes, systems, and governance structures.

• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, ESG standards, and regulatory requirements.

• Champion digital procurement tools and data analytics to enhance decision-making and transparency.

• Oversee inventory optimisation in collaboration with operations and supply chain teams.

Financial & Commercial Accountability

• Manage multi-million-euro procurement spend.

• Deliver annual savings targets and working capital improvements.

• Develop robust budgeting, forecasting, and spend analytics capabilities.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing procurement team.

• Build capability in strategic sourcing, negotiation, and supplier relationship management.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 10+ years’ progressive procurement experience, ideally within manufacturing, packaging, FMCG, or industrial sectors.

• Proven experience leading procurement at a country or regional level.

• Demonstrated success managing significant spend portfolios.

• Strong track record in supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing transformation.

• Experience operating within matrixed, multinational organisations.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related discipline.

• Professional procurement qualification (e.g., CIPS) desirable.

• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen.

• Exceptional negotiation and influencing skills.

• Strong stakeholder management capability at executive level.

• Analytical, data-driven decision maker.

• Resilient, adaptable leader capable of driving change.

• High level of integrity and governance awareness.

What’s on Offer

• Opportunity to lead procurement strategy within a highly respected international organisation.

• Significant scope to influence transformation and deliver measurable impact.

• Competitive executive-level compensation package.

• Career progression opportunities within a global environment.