Head of Procurement

Position Overview:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Procurement to lead and manage our procurement function for a rapidly expanding gifting company. With a focus on scaling operations to meet growing demand, this role will be critical in overseeing strategic sourcing, vendor management, and procurement operations. As we expand into new markets and dark stores to support omnichannel distribution, the Head of Procurement will play a key role in ensuring that procurement strategies are aligned with our expansion goals and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management:

• Develop and implement procurement strategies that support the companys growth initiatives, including expansion into new markets and the establishment of dark stores for localized fulfillment.
• Identify and establish relationships with suppliers to ensure a robust supply chain, supporting both retail and e-commerce operations.
• Negotiate contracts and manage supplier performance, ensuring consistent quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery to support expansion.

Cost Control & Budget Management:

• Develop and manage the procurement budget, closely working with finance to track expenditures and identify areas for cost optimization, especially in the context of expanding to dark stores and new regions.
• Identify opportunities for procurement cost reductions without compromising on quality or delivery timelines.

Supply Chain Optimization:

• Oversee the procurement of gifts and products for various seasonal and promotional campaigns, ensuring timely delivery and cost efficiency across channels, including online and in-store.
• Leverage data and market trends to optimize sourcing decisions, considering demand shifts due to regional expansions and dark store requirements.

Expansion Support & Dark Store Operations:

• Collaborate with the operations and logistics teams to ensure the procurement of products aligns with the opening of new locations, particularly dark stores for last-mile delivery solutions.
• Develop sourcing strategies that support the expansion into new markets, ensuring product availability and supply chain efficiency for both physical stores and dark stores.
• Monitor inventory levels across multiple fulfillment centers and dark stores to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction.

Team Leadership:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing procurement team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Establish performance metrics and KPIs to ensure the procurement function delivers against expansion targets, quality standards, and cost optimization goals.

Risk Management & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, sustainability practices, and ethical sourcing standards.
• Develop risk management strategies to mitigate disruptions in the supply chain, particularly in areas impacted by regional expansion and dark store setup.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (Masters preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of procurement experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role, ideally within retail, gifting, or e-commerce industries.
• Proven expertise in scaling procurement operations to support business expansion, including experience with dark stores or similar retail distribution models.
• Strong vendor negotiation skills and the ability to manage complex supplier relationships across multiple regions.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in procurement software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.