Head of Procurement and Accounts Payable

Overview

As Head of Procurement and Accounts Payable, you will lead UPP’s UK-wide procurement and P2P functions within the CFO leadership team, shaping strategy and driving value from a c.60m spend. You will oversee category management across FM and utilities, negotiate high-value contracts, and strengthen governance and ESG-aligned sourcing. You’ll develop and mentor teams, partner with senior stakeholders, and enhance processes through digital tools and automation. This role offers strategic influence, operational delivery, and an opportunity to advance sustainability across the estate.

Pay / Benefits

• Discretionary performance bonus
• 29 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Private healthcare
• Pension
• Enhanced family leave
• Life assurance

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver a UK-wide procurement strategy to maximise value from ~£60m spend
• Lead category management across Hard FM, Soft FM, corporate services and utilities
• Develop category strategies, specifications, KPIs and SLAs aligned with operations
• Lead high-value RFPs and tenders with effective negotiations and risk mitigation
• Strengthen supplier relationship management via scorecards, market data and partnerships
• Oversee energy procurement arrangements and broker performance for ESG decisions
• Integrate ethical sourcing, local supply chains and green initiatives
• Lead and develop Procurement and Accounts Payable teams with a culture of accountability
• Oversee P2P processes, controls, and AP efficiency and accuracy
• Use digital tools, automation and MI to provide data-led commercial insight
• Act as strategic partner to CFO and senior stakeholders on spend and risk
• Ensure procurement activity complies with policies, governance and regulatory requirements

Key requirements

• Significant senior procurement experience within facilities management, infrastructure, real estate, or equivalent UK environment
• Experience managing a large third-party spend within a complex, multi-site organisation
• Track record of delivering measurable savings, cost avoidance and commercial improvement
• Proven experience in strategic sourcing, category management, tendering and negotiations
• Experience procuring utilities and managing energy broker relationships using data for decision-making
• Ability to transform procurement, AP and P2P through improved processes, technology and automation
• Strong knowledge of procurement governance, controls and UK procurement requirements
• Excellent commercial judgement, analytical capability and negotiation skills
• Confidence influencing senior stakeholders and translating complex information into clear recommendations
• Strong people leadership to develop capable, accountable teams
• CIPS or equivalent professional qualification

• Strong leadership and people development
• Strategic influencing and stakeholder management
• Commercial judgement and analytical thinking
• Category management
• Strategic sourcing and tendering
• Energy procurement and broker management

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