Chief Procurement Officer

Role:
Chief Procurement Officer

• Location:
  
  Norwich, Norfolk (preference for onsite working)
• Salary:
  Executive level package to attract the right candidate

Atkinson Moss Leadership recruitment have been engaged on behalf of a highly respected, multi-million-pound member-owned buying group based in Norfolk, to search for an exceptional Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) to join their Senior Leadership Team.

This executive position has been introduced to focus purely on world‑class procurement strategy, supplier governance, and volume optimisation across the group. This is a high‑impact role inheriting a dedicated team, designed for a commercially driven executive who can balance macroeconomic strategy with hands‑on operational delivery.

The position ideally requires an executive with deep roots within the agricultural / agri‑business sector, allowing them to immediately understand regional and national supply chain challenges. However, applications are equally welcome from heavyweight procurement executives from other complex, regulated, or high‑volume industries (such as Financial Services, Insurance, or Commercial Services). If you possess a professional MCIPS qualification (or equivalent) and a track record of transforming supplier performance, this role offers an exceptional platform.

• Executive Strategy:
  Shape and execute a comprehensive procurement and supplier management strategy aligned directly with the group's long‑term commercial growth ambitions.
• High‑Stakes Negotiation:
  Lead high‑value supplier negotiations to secure optimal value, robust risk management, and service continuity across complex product categories.
• Team Leadership:
  Strengthen and mentor a procurement team of varying experience levels, fostering a high‑performance culture of accountability, commercial urgency, and continuous improvement.
• Digital Evolution:
  Collaborate with the wider executive team to drive digital transformation initiatives, including the optimisation of modern procurement and Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) tools.
• Governance & Performance:
  Oversee robust supplier segmentation frameworks, performance scorecards, KPIs, and SLAs to guarantee operational excellence.
• Member‑First Focus:
  Ensure all procurement activities are translated into tangible value, sharp pricing, and outstanding service delivery for a loyal, member‑based network.

• Proven Leadership: A verifiable track record as a senior procurement leader, comfortably navigating executive stakeholder management and organisation‑wide transformation.
• Commercial Acumen: A data‑driven decision‑maker who combines financial astuteness with the ability to identify cross‑selling and margin‑optimisation opportunities.
• Coaching Mentality: A leadership style defined by collaboration, empowerment, and a proactive approach to addressing capability gaps within a team.
• Cultural Alignment: A professional who champions core corporate values centred around care, curiosity, collaboration, and constructive challenge.

This is a rare executive‑level appointment in the East Anglian market, offering the chance to work directly with the board and CEO to shape a vital business division. The organisation prides itself on a supportive, collaborative workplace culture where colleagues genuinely feel valued and enjoy coming to work.