Head of Procurement

Job Description

We 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 Responsibilities

Procurement Strategy & Operating Model  

• Define and implement the procurement strategy aligned to business growth plans
• Establish procurement policies, governance frameworks, and controls
• Design and embed the procurement operating model, including category management and sourcing approach
• Build the procurement roadmap, including systems, processes, and capability development
• Lead, develop and performance-manage the team
• Report directly to CFO and hold a seat at relevant leadership discussions

Cost Optimisation & Value Delivery   

• Drive and coordinate the delivery of agreed annual cost saving targets
• Identify 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 methodologies
• Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) optimisation across supplier base

Procurement Governance & P2P Ownership

• Own the end-to-end Procure-to-Pay process and drive compliance across business units
• Enforce compliance with procurement policy across all business units
• Review and manage approval thresholds, controls, and audit mechanisms
• Work closely with wider Finance team to ensure alignment between procurement and financial controls

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Lead or support strategic sourcing initiatives for high-value and critical spend categories
• Develop category strategies where appropriate
• Run competitive tender processes (RFPs, RFQs) to drive value and reduce risk
• Support business stakeholders in supplier selection decisions

Software Vendor and Licensing Management

• Liaise 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/termination
• Ensure contract compliance, visibility, and standardisation of terms
• Implement contract management practices including:
  • SLA/KPI tracking
  • Performance reviews
  • Renewal planning and negotiation
• Maintain a centralised contract repository

Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships, where relevant, at senior level
• Drive structured supplier performance reviews and governance forums
• Manage supplier risk, including financial, operational, and compliance risk

Risk & Compliance Management

• Own and maintain the procurement risk register
• Ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and data/privacy obligations
• Work with Legal, Finance, and Risk teams to mitigate supplier-related risk
• Implement third-party due diligence processes

Maintain awareness of Irish and EU procurement regulations and their application to Version 1's purchasing and public sector supply obligations

Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and report procurement KPIs to CFO / COO and executive leadership
• Provide insights on spend, savings, supplier performance, and risk
• Act as the main point of contact for senior stakeholders on procurement matters
• Support strategic decision-making through data-driven analysis

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years’ procurement experience, with at least 3 years managing a function or significant category independently
• MCIPS qualified (or working towards), or equivalent recognised procurement qualification; IIPMM membership an advantage for the Irish market
• Experience in a Technology Consulting, Professional Services, Resale or high-growth environment
• Proven experience building or transforming a procurement function
• Strong track record of delivering cost savings and commercial value
• Experience across indirect spend categories, particularly in:
• Contractors / contingent workforce
• Professional services / consulting
• Technology and software licensing
• Deep understanding of contract negotiation and supplier management
• Working knowledge of Irish and EU procurement regulations; familiarity with public sector framework procurement (e.g. OGP, G-Cloud) an advantage
• Strong knowledge of procurement governance, policies, and P2P processes

Competencies / Skills

• Demonstrated experience in professional services spend categories: contractors, subcontractors, facilities, IT and advisory services
• Has either built a procurement function from scratch or materially restructured one
• Strong leadership in developing and inspiring a high-performing team
• Ability to operate at executive level and align Procurement Policy to business goals
• Strong negotiation and cost management capability
• Build credibility with and engage and challenge senior stakeholders
• Proactively identifies and mitigates supplier risks
• Comfortable producing board-level reporting on savings, risk, and supplier performance
• Brings structure to ambiguity without waiting to be asked

Additional Information

At 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 employer 

We 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 [email protected]. We will consider all requests carefully, respectfully and confidentially.

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