Job description
Head of Procurement Excellence
The Client:
Our Client is a large private industrial group, with over 50+ years’ history, HQ in Italy, business in Italy and abroad.
They operate in a profitable and not yet mature market, that is growing with a +7% estimated CAGR, in the next four years.
They are Italian leader in their space and develop on ongoing basis a vast line of products. With a global turnover in excess of 800M€ and some manufacturing plants in Italy, they have international / global presence in 60+ countries, with about 2000+ FTE. They operate on the base of best technologies of the market, and have constantly invested in R&D.
They are now facing a new cycle, supported by a Top tier PE Fund, that is launching the next phase with organic and acquisitive growth strategy. While on one side the transformation will encompass multiple streams and multifunctional projects, they need on the other to onboard the resources to enable this ambition.
Position – The role:
In this context, Procurement is a key function to shape a best-in-class organisation. Following a phase where the first initiatives have already been designed and put in place, they now need to onboard the Head of Procurement Excellence (HOP), a new strategic role designed to report to the CPO, to grant consistency and continuity of all improvement initiatives, as well as to pilot the implementation of the blue print.
Position – Value proposition:
- Pivotal role in establishing a “Procurement Engine” which will deliver significant EBITDA value
- Guarantee the performance monitoring of all procurement initiatives, in close connection with the CPO
- Ensure execution, compliance and best practices, and enable the function as part of the company transformation journey.
- Exposure to leadership, in a context driven by a leading Private Equity fund.
Position – Specific responsibilities:
Lead the Procurement Excellence Office, ensuring 1) the Procurement Roadmap is in line and on track with the company Strategic Plan (5Y BusPlan reflective of Strategic Blueprint) and 2) the most appropriate pace of execution for the Procurement Excellence Program: this will imply stringent coordination with other functions, and between different projects of different scale, leading the corporate improvement program consistently with stakeholders’ strategy, and continuous excellence implementation approach:
- Leadership – Establish profitable relationships with C-level executives as well as the organisation at all levels, being able to build trust while reaching intimacy with the organisation and a common view on company goals.Collaborate cross-functionally to foster a unified approach on transformation program; ensure implementation of consistent processes.
- PMO – Set up the governance for the procurement excellence program, and take progressive leadership of existing and new initiatives, contemporarily across different streams; provide active contribution to fix gaps, monitor deviations, propose solutions, and deliver results. As is – To be: Leads the continuous improvement effort within Procurement organisation, translating company strategy and goals into concrete procurement improvement milestones and develop a value creation plan with the CPO.
- Execution – Ensure coordination of multiple projects and multiple goals that consist of the Procurement transformation journey; coach colleagues to focus on improvement and help developing a problem-solving attitude across the organisation. Set up and monitor the progression of achievements, and prepare documentation for the Management team. Guides analysis and contributes in identifying new areas of opportunity / levers in close alignment with business and procurement leadership. Provides push on analytics and KPIs. Supports on both procurement planning and demand forecasting. Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards and company policies to minimize risks and ensure business continuity.
- Digital – Assess and design digital procurement systems and other relevant tools to streamline procurement activities, with the support of data analysts to manage implementation.
Requirements and key skills:
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (Business Administration or Engineering). An MBA would represent a plus.
Experience: 5+ years’ experience in the Strategy / Consulting space, with focus on PMO, with consistent track in Procurement / Operations / Supply chain excellence programs; has already played a similar role either on an “excellence” programs or within a Transformation PMO Office. Alternatively, approx. 5-7 years’ dual “consulting & corporate” track, with experience in a similar corporate “excellence” role, in Procurement or Operations, or Supply Chain.
In both cases, experience in regulated industries would be a strong plus
- Results-driven and hands-on approach. Self-confident, can act as change agent
- Excellent PMO skills to drive complex programs with comprehensive knowledge of operational excellence playbook Strong analytical skills, sharp on details, yet able to think high level Technical skills encompassing: Kaizen, Six Sigma or Lean Management; planning, monitoring and controlling programmes; programme and project management methods Passion for execution and for making things happen; gets excitement from rolling his sleeves to drive impact
- People leadership/emotional intelligence: Natural ability to build trust-based relationships and to leverage them to ensure progress; As an emerging trait: good communication skills, and ability to influence without direct reporting levers, to read organisation criticalities and deliver impact with positive energy
Languages: Full proficiency in spoken and written Italian and English is a must.
Location: North of Italy, with agile approach to work.