Procurement Director jobs
Procurement is a key concern in every sector - from manufacturing, construction, retail, education and medical, through to government and defence.
This is especially true in a difficult economy, where savings need to be made across the board and the sourcing of products and services must be done with the greatest care to ensure the best outcome.
The role of a procurement director varies from company to company, but the job will generally comprise of responsibilities from managing projects and reporting to stakeholders, through to effectively leading a team and ensuring all procurement activities represent the best value for money.
Other tasks may include designing, updating or re-developing the company's supply chain procedures and taking steps to ensure that all processes run as smoothly as possible.
In all cases, procurement directors will need to demonstrate continual improvements in established routines and instigate regular updates in response to changes in legislation or sector developments.
The skills required
Those applying for procurement director jobs should have an extensive understanding of the entire supply chain process - from tendering and proposals through to assessing suppliers and completing projects.
They should also be well versed in best practice techniques, any applicable legal issues and the latest technologies used in the procurement process.
Since the role will generally involve overseeing a team, applicants will need to possess good planning and leadership skills, as well as an ability to communicate effectively and coach employees. In addition, excellent negotiation, planning, presentation and organisation skills are a must.
Procurement Director Jobs in Swindon
A town located in Wiltshire, around halfway between Bristol and Reading, Swindon is a busy place with lots of opportunity for those seeking Procurement Director vacancies.
The town's early history goes back to a Saxon settlement that was called Suindune in the Domesday Book. For hundreds of years, it mainly subsisted as a market town, with the trade of cattle, corn and other agricultural produce, as well as horse sales.
During the 19th century, the area was known for its railway works, which built and repaired locomotives for the Great Western Railway - a train company that connected the south-west and Wales to London's Paddington Station.
Today, Swindon's economy is mainly based in the retail and service sector and there are a number of large shopping centres in the region.
The town is also home to several big businesses. For instance, Honda and BMW/Mini both have manufacturing sites in the area, while W H Smith's distribution centre and headquarters are also situated in Swindon.
Other companies based in Swindon or with major facilities in the vicinity include Motorola, Dolby, Intel, Nationwide Building Society, Arval and the National Trust.
What's more, Swindon is home to a book depository for Oxford's Bodleian library. The facility has 153 miles of shelving and enough space to house an estimated eight million tomes.
Popular locations
Discover new procurement opportunities with Cast UK
Whether you're seeking an opportunity as a procurement director in a stand-alone organisation, or in a shared services environment, Cast UK can help applicants find vacancies that match your skills and experience.
As a leading UK recruitment agency, our team of consultants have a strong understanding of these fields, enabling us to match applicants to the most appropriate roles - saving both time and excess costs for everyone involved.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Procurement Director for your business or find you a job as a Procurement Director then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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