The posting
THE ROLE: As our Head of Procurement at New Look, you will have the opportunity to shape and deliver our Group procurement strategy, ensuring procurement is recognised as a strategic driver of business performance, commercial value and sustainable growth. Reporting to the General Counsel & Company Secretary, you will translate business objectives into a clear, prioritised procurement plan that delivers sustainable cost efficiencies while enhancing supplier performance and service quality. A key part of the role will be continuing the transformation of Procurement from a transactional function into a value-adding strategic and commercial partner to the business. As a trusted adviser to the Executive Team and senior stakeholders, you will strengthen commercial discipline across the Group’s non-trade spend and build strategic supplier partnerships. You will lead and develop a high-performing procurement team, ensuring procurement is recognised as a strategic function that supports business growth and operational excellence. The role sits within the team responsible for the end-to-end business service of contract management and works closely alongside specialist advisers in Legal, Data Privacy and Insurance. Together, these functions provide expert commercial and governance support to the wider business, ensuring effective risk management, value delivery and strong supplier relationships across the organisation. With support centres based across our London, Stoke and Weymouth locations, the team works with stakeholders throughout the business to deliver effective commercial and governance outcomes.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:
Develop, own and deliver a multi-year procurement strategy aligned to the company plan, financial priorities and customer proposition. Optimise existing and future ERP investment to automate and strengthen company-wide procurement processes, controls and management information. Build and maintain a robust spend baseline, category pipeline and benefits plan across addressable non-trade spend, with clear ownership, milestones and executive reporting. Deliver measurable value through cost reduction, cost avoidance, demand management, specification challenge, process improvement, working-capital opportunities and supplier-led innovation.
Lead category strategies and complex sourcing activity across technology, logistics, property and facilities, marketing, professional services, utilities, store operations and corporate services, as applicable. Establish proportionate, competitive and auditable sourcing processes with clear requirements, objective evaluation criteria, negotiation strategies and documented recommendations. Provide commercial challenge early in business planning so Procurement shapes requirements before supplier commitments are made. Oversee contract renewals and pipeline planning to reduce unmanaged extensions, fragmented buying and value leakage.
Lead sensitive and high-value commercial negotiations, including hands-on drafting and negotiation of complex Master Services Agreements and Statements of Work, in partnership with Legal. Lead the commercial resolution of material supplier disputes and underperformance, escalating legal or regulatory issues appropriately. Prepare clear, evidence-based recommendations for Executive approval of high-impact supplier appointments, contract awards and renewals.
Create a tiered supplier relationship management framework for critical and strategic suppliers, supported by executive sponsorship, scorecards, review cadence and improvement plans. Implement and monitor a robust supplier management programme covering financial health, concentration, operational resilience, information security, data protection, business continuity and geographic or market exposure, escalating material risks promptly. Lead resolution of significant supplier performance or commercial issues and ensure effective exit, transition and contingency plans for critical services.
Partner with Legal, Finance, Information Security, Data Protection, ESG and operational teams to ensure appropriate due diligence, contracting, approvals and ongoing compliance. Embed responsible procurement expectations covering ethical trading, modern slavery, human rights, environmental impact, diversity and inclusion and supplier codes of conduct, using risk-based evidence and remediation. Establish and maintain a robust procurement performance framework and executive dashboard covering addressable spend, pipeline, realised and forecast benefits, Finance-validated savings, supplier performance, compliance, risk, contract coverage and overall value delivered. Develop procurement capability across the organisation, providing budget holders and contract owners with practical tools, guidance and training to support effective commercial decision-making.
WHO YOU ARE:
Significant senior procurement and commercial leadership experience in a complex, multi-site consumer, retail or similarly fast-paced organisation, with a strong record of leading transformation and delivering sustainable value. Broad indirect category experience and confidence operating with Executive stakeholders are essential. Fashion or omnichannel retail experience is desirable rather than mandatory. Demonstrable experience of category management, strategic sourcing, complex negotiation, contract lifecycle management and supplier relationship management. Experience building procurement governance, controls, systems, data and benefits reporting in an organisation with varying levels of procurement maturity. Working knowledge of supplier risk, operational resilience, responsible procurement and the commercial implications of data protection, information security and ESG requirements. Experience leading and developing a team through change while maintaining delivery. Commercially rigorous and strategically minded, influential and pragmatic, with strong financial, analytical, negotiation and programme leadership capability. MCIPS, CIPS Level 6 or an equivalent recognised procurement qualification is desirable; equivalent practical experience will also be considered. Demonstrated proficiency in ERP, e-sourcing and digital procurement applications. Able to travel between company locations and to supplier sites where the role requires it.
WHATS IN IT FOR YOU:
40% staff discount plus friends & family discounts throughout the year Access to our reward platform for external discount and offers Private pension scheme Profit related bonus scheme Option to join our Healthcare Private Medical Scheme Virtual GP access for you and your children – it allows you to speak to a doctor at a time and date that suits you All employees are covered by our life assurance policy from day one Unlock extra leave with our buy more holiday scheme. Celebrate YOU! Enjoy an extra paid day off on your birthday each year Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental leave (eligible after 2 years service) Spread the cost of your commute with interest-free season ticket loans Do your bit for the environment and save money with our Cycle2Work scheme We're proud to partner with the Retail Trust and Fashion & Textile Children's
