Procurement Director - Cumbria

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 Cumbria

Situated in the north-west of England and sharing a border with Scotland, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumberland and County Durham, Cumbria is one of England's largest ceremonial counties and it includes settlements like Carlisle, Penrith and Kendal.

Throughout the region's history it has mainly been a rural location known for its stunning mountains and lovely towns and villages. It contains the Lake District National Park and those seeking Procurement Director vacancies in Cumbria will certainly enjoy having this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty right on their doorstep.

People have been living in Cumbria for thousands of years. The Castlerigg stone circle was built by Neolithic people around 3200 BC, while later inhabitants included the Romans, Angles and Vikings.

By the 19th century, mining had become an important part of the local economy, producing iron ore and coal, while a number of slate quarries established during that time are still in operation today.

These days, there are many large companies based in Cumbria, while plenty more have large facilities in the area. Many of these employers are based in manufacturing - in industries ranging from petrochemicals to food manufacture, steel production, paper making and packaging.

Just some examples include Sealy Beds, Corus, The Stobart Group, Kimberly-Clark, Carr's, McVitie's, Nestle, Heinz, Lakeland and GlaxoSmithKline.

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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