The Powerlines Group GmbH is the leading European supplier for railway electrification. The company group is active in the business segments RAIL, PRODUCTS and ENERGY. In the RAIL segment, Powerlines is a full service provider and offers its customers the whole range of services from Consulting and System Design to Installation and Maintenance.
Head of Procurement & Supply Chain
The Head of Procurement & Supply Chain is accountable for leading, developing and delivering a robust, commercial, and value-driven procurement and supply chain function across SPL Powerlines UK & Ireland, supporting the organisation’s strategic objectives within the transport and energy infrastructure sectors.
The role is responsible for the end-to-end procurement lifecycle, supply chain strategy, supplier management, commercial governance, and stock management, ensuring security of supply, value for money, risk mitigation, and compliance with Company, Group, and regulatory requirements.
Operating as a senior leader and trusted business partner, the role works closely with Executive Leadership, Commercial, Finance, Operations, and Project teams to enable safe, timely, and cost-effective delivery of complex regulated infrastructure projects.
Duties:
Strategic Leadership & Governance - Develop, own and deliver the UK & I Procurement and Supply Chain Strategy, aligned to SPL Powerlines Group objectives and business plans.
- Act as the business lead for procurement, providing clear leadership, direction and governance to the procurement and supply chain team.
- Establish and maintain effective procurement policies, procedures, and controls in line with Company, Group, and external regulatory requirements.
- Provide expert advice to Executive and Senior Leadership teams on procurement strategy, market conditions, risk, and commercial opportunities.
- Ensure strong governance over tendering, approval, contract award, and variation management.
Commercial & Project Procurement - Lead procurement activities for strategic, high-value, and complex energy and transport infrastructure projects, ensuring early engagement and effective procurement planning.
- Develop and maintain project procurement schedules, category strategies, and supply chain engagement plans.
- Support the commercial function on contract strategy, risk allocation, and supplier commercial negotiations.
- Ensure consistent and compliant tendering processes, including tender events, evaluations, analysis, and recommendations.
- Drive value through optimal contract structures, framework agreements, and long-term supplier partnerships.
Supplier & Supply Chain Management - Develop and implement category and supplier strategies across materials, plant, subcontractors, and professional services.
- Lead supplier selection, onboarding, performance management, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with strategic and critical suppliers to ensure performance, innovation, and security of supply.
- Monitor and manage supply chain risk, including capacity, financial stability, market volatility, and geopolitical impacts.
- Lead supplier performance improvement and dispute resolution where required.
Cost, Value & Performance Management - Deliver measurable cost savings, value improvement, and total cost of ownership benefits.
- Manage procurement budgets and forecasts, providing clear reporting and assurance to Directors.
- Prepare and present regular reports on cost spend, savings, risk, supplier performance, and market insights.
- Lead and maintain robust procurement KPI frameworks, including reporting to Executive management and supporting client KPI requirements where applicable.
Stock, Materials & Logistics Oversight - Oversee stock management and materials planning to ensure appropriate stock levels, availability, and compliance with corporate and project requirements.
- Implement effective forecasting, inventory controls, and supply chain optimisation practices.
- Ensure logistics and supply arrangements support project delivery, safety, and efficiency.
Compliance, Risk & ESG - Ensure full legal and regulatory compliance across procurement and supply chain activities, including health & safety, ethical sourcing, and modern slavery requirements.
- Embed effective procurement risk management, with early identification and mitigation of strategic and operational risks.
- Support and promote ESG, sustainability, and social value objectives, including:
- Responsible sourcing
- Carbon reduction initiatives
- Increased engagement with SMEs and local suppliers in line with government and client expectations.
People Leadership & Capability Development - Lead, develop and coach the procurement and supply chain team, ensuring clear objectives, high performance, and professional development.
- Ensure the team is appropriately trained and competent, including compliance with the Business Management System (e.g. BMD where applicable).
- Foster a collaborative, high-integrity, and continuous improvement culture within the team.
Stakeholder Engagement - Act as a key interface between Procurement and internal stakeholders, supporting informed decision-making and project delivery.
- Work closely with Operations, Commercial, Engineering, Finance, and SHEQ functions to align procurement outcomes with business priorities.
- Engage effectively with external stakeholders including clients, suppliers, auditors, and regulators.
The person:
Essential Criteria- Demonstrable senior-level procurement experience.
- GCSE Mathematics & English grade C or above
- Minimum 5–10 years’ experience in a senior procurement or supply chain leadership role.
- Proven experience leading procurement in complex, project-based environments.
- Strong track record of commercial negotiation, contract management, and supplier improvement.
- Experience managing and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Strategic thinking with strong commercial acumen.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills.
- Strong financial, analytical, and risk management capability.
- High levels of integrity, judgement, and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
- Strong IT and data literacy, including procurement systems and reporting tools.
- Change management and continuous improvement mindset.
- Clean, valid UK driving licence.
- Willingness to travel as required across UK & Ireland.
Desirable Criteria- Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering or a related discipline.
- CIPS qualification (Level 5 or above).
- Chartered member of CIPS or equivalent professional body.
- Experience within energy, utilities, transport, or regulated infrastructure sectors.
- Experience operating within a group or multi-business environment.
We offer you:
- A varied, responsible and challenging position
- An open, dynamically growing international business environment
- The opportunity to actively participate in the development of the company
If you are interested in this role, have the drive, ambition and relevant experience and skills to join this fast paced team, please apply right here in the Job Portal.
You can find more exciting jobs at
http://career.powerlines-group.com.
Apply now
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