Head of Procurement

Company DescriptionVersion 1 has celebrated 30 years in business and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver technology and transformation solutions that drive customer success. Our deep expertise enables our customers to navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape. We foster strong partnerships with global technology leaders including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems, Snowflake, ensuring that our customers are provided with the highest quality solutions and services. We’re an award-winning employer reflecting how our employees are at the very heart of what we do:UK & Ireland's premier AWS, Microsoft & Oracle partner 3300+ strong, €350/£300m revenue business 10+ years as a Great Place to Work in Ireland & UK Best Workplace for Women in the UK & Ireland by GPTW Best Workplace for Wellbeing in the UK by GPTW We’re a core values driven company, we hire people who share our values, and we reward those who display and foster them, it’s deeply embedded within our DNA. Invest in us and we’ll invest in you!.Job DescriptionWe are recruiting for a newly created Head of Procurement role, to establish and lead a best-in-class procurement function from the ground up within our growing IT Services and Consulting business. Reporting to the CFO, you will set policy, establish supplier relationships, and create the procurement operating model.This role is accountable for setting procurement strategy, delivering measurable savings, ensuring compliance and governance across all external spend, and owning the full contract lifecycle. The role acts as the primary business-facing lead for supplier governance, risk management, and executive reporting.The successful candidate will be experienced and highly motivated to build, develop and lead the Procurement team and function.Job ResponsibilitiesProcurement Strategy & Operating Model Define and implement the procurement strategy aligned to business growth plansEstablish procurement policies, governance frameworks, and controlsDesign and embed the procurement operating model, including category management and sourcing approachBuild the procurement roadmap, including systems, processes, and capability developmentLead, develop and performance-manage the teamReport directly to CFO and hold a seat at relevant leadership discussionsCost Optimisation & Value Delivery Drive and coordinate the delivery of agreed annual cost saving targetsIdentify value opportunities across all major spend categories (e.g., IT and software licensing, contractors and contingent workforce,, subcontractors, facilities, professional services)Track and report savings delivery with robust methodologiesDrive total cost of ownership (TCO) optimisation across supplier baseProcurement Governance & P2P Ownership Own the end-to-end Procure-to-Pay process and drive compliance across business unitsEnforce compliance with procurement policy across all business unitsReview and manage approval thresholds, controls, and audit mechanismsWork closely with wider Finance team to ensure alignment between procurement and financial controlsStrategic Sourcing & Category Management Lead or support strategic sourcing initiatives for high-value and critical spend categoriesDevelop category strategies where appropriateRun competitive tender processes (RFPs, RFQs) to drive value and reduce riskSupport business stakeholders in supplier selection decisionsSoftware Vendor and Licensing ManagementLiaise with the internal Software Asset Management (SAM) team to ensure delivery of software licencing cost savings and delivery of value for money.Contract Lifecyle Management Own and manage contracts from inception through to renewal/terminationEnsure contract compliance, visibility, and standardisation of termsImplement contract management practices including:SLA/KPI trackingPerformance reviewsRenewal planning and negotiationMaintain a centralised contract repositorySupplier Relationship Management (SRM) Build and manage strategic supplier relationships, where relevant, at senior levelDrive structured supplier performance reviews and governance forumsManage supplier risk, including financial, operational, and compliance riskRisk & Compliance Management Own and maintain the procurement risk registerEnsure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and data/privacy obligationsWork with Legal, Finance, and Risk teams to mitigate supplier-related riskImplement third-party due diligence processesMaintain awareness of Irish and EU procurement regulations and their application to Version 1's purchasing and public sector supply obligationsReporting & Stakeholder Engagement Develop and report procurement KPIs to CFO / COO and executive leadershipProvide insights on spend, savings, supplier performance, and riskAct as the main point of contact for senior stakeholders on procurement mattersSupport strategic decision-making through data-driven analysisQualifications8–10+ years’ procurement experience, with at least 3 years managing a function or significant category independentlyMCIPS qualified (or working towards), or equivalent recognised procurement qualification; IIPMM membership an advantage for the Irish marketExperience in a Technology Consulting, Professional Services, Resale or high-growth environmentProven experience building or transforming a procurement functionStrong track record of delivering cost savings and commercial valueExperience across indirect spend categories, particularly in:Contractors / contingent workforceProfessional services / consultingTechnology and software licensingDeep understanding of contract negotiation and supplier managementWorking knowledge of Irish and EU procurement regulations; familiarity with public sector framework procurement (e.g. OGP, G-Cloud) an advantageStrong knowledge of procurement governance, policies, and P2P processesCompetencies / SkillsDemonstrated experience in professional services spend categories: contractors, subcontractors, facilities, IT and advisory servicesHas either built a procurement function from scratch or materially restructured oneStrong leadership in developing and inspiring a high-performing teamAbility to operate at executive level and align Procurement Policy to business goalsStrong negotiation and cost management capabilityBuild credibility with and engage and challenge senior stakeholdersProactively identifies and mitigates supplier risksComfortable producing board-level reporting on savings, risk, and supplier performanceBrings structure to ambiguity without waiting to be askedAdditional InformationAt Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing, professional growth, and financial stability.Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme, where employees collectively benefit from a share of our company's profits Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme Flexible/remote working, Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and people’s individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work life balance Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Version 1 Pension with a 5% employee-matched contribution, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more. 24 days holiday allowance plus Public Holidays, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & quarterly Star Awards. Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes. And many more exciting benefits… drop us a note to find out more.Version 1 is an equal opportunities employerWe are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone feels valued and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences, and we value the different perspectives people bring including those shaped by disability and neurodiversity.We want every candidate to have a positive and accessible recruitment experience. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process, please contact the recruiter at bhumika.singh@version1.com. We will consider all requests carefully, respectfully and confidentially.