Head of Procurement (Produce & Ambient)

Head of Procurement – Produce & Ambient

Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire

Salary: Competitive

We’re recruiting a Head of Procurement (Produce & Ambient) to lead sourcing, supplier strategy, and commercial performance across one of the most business‑critical areas of our operation.

This is a high‑impact, senior commercial role with ownership of fresh produce at its core, alongside dairy, bakery, chilled, frozen, and ambient food categories. You’ll play a pivotal part in securing supply, protecting margins, and building an industry‑leading procurement function.

The Role

As Head of Procurement, you will:

• Own the end‑to‑end sourcing strategy across fresh produce, dairy, bakery, chilled, frozen, and ambient categories

• Lead and develop a high‑performing procurement team , with clear succession planning

• Manage domestic and global suppliers , growers, processors, and import partners

• Negotiate short, medium, and long‑term contracts , driving value, resilience, and continuity of supply

• Balance commercial performance with food safety, ethical, and sustainability standards

• Work cross‑functionally with Supply Chain, Technical, Quality, Logistics, Operations, and Sales

• Mitigate risk linked to seasonality, weather, market volatility, and global supply disruption

• Drive margin performance, cost savings, forecast accuracy, waste reduction, and supplier KPIs

What We’re Looking For

You’ll be a proven procurement leader with:

• Significant senior‑level procurement experience within food, with a strong bias to fresh produce

• Multi‑category exposure across fresh, chilled, frozen, bakery, dairy, and ambient

• Deep understanding of produce seasonality, global sourcing, and pricing dynamics

• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation capability within FMCG

• Experience modernising or transforming procurement functions

• Previous people leadership experience within food or fresh produce

• CIPS or equivalent qualification (desirable)

You’ll also bring gravitas, resilience, and the ability to operate calmly in fast‑moving, commercially intense environments.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive annual salary

• Bonus Scheme

• Car allowance

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays

• Private health insurance, pension, life assurance

• Retail discounts and additional long‑service benefits

Working Pattern

• Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week

• Early starts required to align with operational changeovers

• Flexibility during seasonal peaks and international supplier travel (UK & overseas)

If you’re a senior procurement professional with deep fresh‑produce expertise and ambition to shape strategy at scale, we’d love to hear from you.

Reynolds Food Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.