Regional Purchasing Director

Overview

In this role you will lead regional purchasing across Croda Europe, driving cost-effective, risk-managed sourcing while coordinating globally where possible to leverage buying power. You’ll build and oversee strategic supplier relationships, develop a regional purchasing plan, and roll out Group Purchasing Policies to support sustainable growth and cash targets. The role blends leadership, negotiation at high value contracts, and governance to sustain value across multiple sites. You will work in a values-driven, collaborative environment focused on innovative science and a sustainable future.

Responsibilities

• Lead risk-managed sourcing of energy, goods and services to support group cash targets
• Document and roll out Group Purchasing Policies and implement them within Croda Europe
• Develop and implement regional purchasing strategy including people development, category management, supplier relationship management and performance indicators
• Cultivate long-term, collaborative supplier relationships to deliver sustainable cost savings
• Negotiate high-value European (and occasionally international) contracts
• Direct line management of a small team of purchasing professionals and dotted line responsibility for local purchasing managers across multiple sites and countries
• Provide regular information and expert opinion to influence pricing and contracting decisions
• Anticipate external factors affecting purchases and mitigate risks within Group guidelines
• Adopt industry best purchasing practices and align Croda’s processes and systems accordingly

Key requirements

• Experience in a similar regional/global purchasing role within manufacturing
• Proven track record in cost-effective, risk-managed sourcing and key supplier management
• Strong negotiation and communication skills at high levels
• Experience in managing and developing a small purchasing team
• Financial acumen with drive to achieve commercial results
• Knowledge of contract law and competition law
• Familiarity with UK Bribery Act, REACH, EUDR, CBAM and EU purchasing compliance
• Degree in a Science-related discipline
• Membership of Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply, level 5 minimum preferred

• Excellent communicator with persuasion and influence at all levels
• Creative problem solving and cross-functional collaboration
• Strategic thinking and leadership for a regional agenda
• Sourcing strategy and category management
• Supplier relationship management
• Contract negotiation and governance

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