Chief Procurement Officer (CPO)

The organisation             

Our client is a leading worldwide manufacturer and supplier of high quality conveyer belt products within a wide range of industries. Their global business currently ranks on a #2 position on its core markets with an annual turnover of € 325M. With global headquarters based at Alkmaar, The Netherlands, it employs over 2800 people and operates in 25 countries (Europe, Latin America, The Middle East and Asia).

Due to current acquisitions the company is on a growth and performance improvement path. In this context the build-up of a global procurement function is strategic for the business. To contribute to the realization of this globally integrated procurement strategy our client wishes to attract a Chief Procurement Officer (CPO).

The position    

The CPO will report to the CEO and will be responsible for setting up and drive a Global Procurement organization to deliver significant benefits to the business, with the following objectives:

• Head the global procurement transformation program (Total spend of €150M)
• Lead the development of procurement strategies and policies that link to the strategic plans based on the company-wide vision and growth
• Promote the development of key relations with strategic suppliers
• Grow and mentor a high performing team of procurement professionals that are seen as an integral part of the business success (the current procurement function is built around ~50 procurement professionals, fragmented across the various businesses and geographies)
• Drive down spend on a sustainable annual basis
• Be the ‘point person’ in procurement for senior stakeholders in the business

Candidate profile

We are looking for an ambitious individual with excellent leadership skills and sound analytics. The dynamics of the work environment require the ability to cope with ambiguity and to implement structure. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are a must, at all levels and with people from different cultures. Flexibility and a significant amount of travel must be expected (across Europe, US, Asia).

Furthermore, the ideal candidate has preferably:

• Completed a MSc – ideally a master degree in one or more of either engineering, business or economics
• Extensive experience working in procurement, in international industrial / manufacturing environment with clear  track record of delivering savings and developing high performance global teams
• Strong managerial and leadership skills with focus on motivating and  attracting best talent
• Executive level communications skills with internal stakeholders and suppliers
• Collaboration skills – make things happen even without the formal line of responsibility
• Strategic mindset – see the ‘big picture’ and formulate a clear vision, strategy and plan for procurement
• Getting things done mentality – pragmatic thinker who connects strategies into action plans

Interested?

You can apply to this position by using the form below, including your curriculum vitae together with a short motivation.