Head of Procurement at Sulzer in Leeds

Job description

• Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society.
• We’re looking for a Head of Procurement to join the Senior Leadership team for our Leeds facility. In this key role, you’ll drive strategic procurement initiatives, optimise supplier relationships, and ensure seamless delivery of large scale global projects, critical to our world-class pumping solutions.
• Our Leeds facility plays a vital role within Sulzer’s global manufacturing network, delivering highly engineered, order-driven products for large-scale customer projects around the world. Operating in a complex engineer-to-order environment, this role is critical to ensuring the successful sourcing and delivery of materials and components that support major projects from initial order through to final execution.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute procurement strategies to ensure cost-effective and timely sourcing of components, raw materials, and factored items.
• Lead a team of buyers, driving operational excellence and supplier performance to meet customer requirements.
• Manage key supplier relationships, negotiate agreements, and implement KPIs for continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including operations, quality control, commercial, and production, to align procurement with business goals.
• Ensure compliance with Sulzer’s procurement policies and industry standards, maintaining a strong focus on quality, safety, and sustainability.

Requirements

• A CIPS/MCIPS qualification is preferred, but experience is more important – you must be able to demonstrate a strong background in procurement within an engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Strong background in procurement, supplier management, and contract negotiation with an understanding of the procurement challenges associated with large-scale, complex customer projects.
• Experience in castings and raw materials procurement.
• Leadership and team management skills, with a track record of driving performance.
• Commercial acumen, problem-solving ability, and a proactive approach to continuous improvement.

Skills

Required

• Procurement
• Supplier management
• Contract negotiation
• Leadership
• Team management
• Commercial acumen
• Problem-solving

Preferred

• CIPS/MCIPS qualification

Benefits

• Confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programmes
• Access to a wide range of discounts on everyday shopping, entertainment, and lifestyle
• Discounted personal car leasing available for you, your family, and friends
• Long Service Awards to celebrate employee longevity
• Continuous learning and development through Sulzer Learning Pathways
• Flexible working hours that allow you to balance your work and personal life
• Our Leeds site has undergone a major redevelopment, creating a modern, state-of-the-art working environment designed to inspire collaboration and innovation. This is an exciting time to join us and experience the benefits of a refreshed, future-ready workplace.