Job Title

Group Head of Procurement: Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society Limited (The Group) is the second largest dairy processor on the island of Ireland. The business is complex and ambitious with a milk supply pool of 2 billion litres of milk, drawn from over 3,200 family farms across 16 counties. With the most modern dairy manufacturing facilities in 6 locations on a cross-border basis, the Group supplies to a broad customer base including some of the worlds foremost blue chip companies across the dairy food ingredients, foodservice and consumer food channels on a domestic Ireland, UK, European and global basis. Internationally we export some 240 different products to over 100 countries worldwide. The Groups Agribusiness Division (Lakeland Agri) operates a state-of-the-art Animal Feed Manufacturing Facility and is a leading and innovative provider of the highest quality feeds and agricultural inputs to dairy, beef, and sheep farmers across the north and south of Ireland. The Role The Group Head of Procurement will lead the procurement function for Group and the Dairy Divisions within Lakeland Dairies. This strategic leadership role is responsible for developing group[1]wide procurement strategies that ensure cost savings, supply chain continuity, efficiency and compliance. Key priorities include building supplier relationships, risk mitigation and advancing sustainable sourcing practices. Key Responsibilities Lead & develop a high-performing procurement team with responsibility for: Source to Contract Procurement across the Packaging, Commodities, Veg Oils, Ingredients, Chemicals, Energy and MRO Categories Supplier Contract Management Purchase Order Workflows Suppler Risk Management & Regulatory Compliance Driving the Companys Sustainability & CSR Agenda Spend Data Management & Spend Analytics Driving Maximum Supply Chain Value Work with Business Stakeholders to develop business aligned Category and Sourcing Strategies. Implement procurement best practices, policies, and procedures to drive efficiency and cost savings. Develop and maintain a Supplier Risk Management Strategy to protect the companys assets, commercial interests and reputation. Conduct supply market analysis and benchmarking to stay informed about industry trends and leverage insights for negotiation and supplier selection. Manage a team of procurement professionals tasked business stakeholders and departmental in the delivery of wider business objectives. Conduct data gathering, spend analytics and utilize market intelligence to develop procurement strategies and business cases that will assist the business in delivering measurable cost savings, cost avoidance and multi-year productivity Demonstrate a measurable reduction in year over year total cost of ownership for the services being sourced without compromising quality and service levels. Qualifications and Experience Bachelor or Masters degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business or related discipline. Significant experience in procurement ideally in the Food Industry. Demonstrated experience in conducting key account negotiations and cost optimisation. Strong background in managing procurement across multiple locations and business divisions. A proven track record of sourcing, contract management and supplier development. Experience leading and developing a high performing procurement team across regions and business units. Proven success in cost reduction, value engineering and efficiency initiatives without compromising quality or continuity. To request a detailed job description, please email gemma.lambelakelanddairies.com. To apply for this role, please e-mail your CV and cover letter quoting reference GRP0161 to Gemma Lambe, Group Head of Talent Acquisition at gemma.lambelakelanddairies.com Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 2nd May 2025. Lakeland Dairies Ltd is committed to having an inclusive workplace where every employee feels they belong. If you require accommodations to be made during the recruitment process or have questions relating to accessibility, please contact us at 049 4364200 or email careerslakelanddairies.com.