Consumer Goods & FMCG
30 Jun
Head of Purchasing
Our client is a leading Dutch company in the Beauty sector with one of the world’s most respected haircare brands, distributed in over 90 countries. The company continues to expand internationally while remaining true to its founding values and prides itself on a warm, collaborative culture that feels like family, empowering employees and clients worldwide to express creativity and confidence.
The company is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Purchasing to lead its end-to-end procurement function. This senior leadership role is responsible for ensuring the availability, quality, cost-efficiency, and sustainability of all purchased goods and services that support their global operations.
Reporting directly to the Board, the Head of Purchasing will lead a team of five professionals across Purchasing, Point of Sale Materials, Ingredients, Packaging Design, and Purchasing Administration.
The role plays a critical part in supporting innovation, operational excellence, and business growth through effective supplier management, sourcing strategies, and cross-functional collaboration.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
· Management of the Purchasing team.
· Develop and execute the overall purchasing and sourcing strategy aligned with company objectives.
· Lead and develop a team of five procurement and supply chain professionals.
· Manage supplier relationships, negotiations, contracts, and performance across direct and indirect spend categories.
· Ensure continuity of supply for ingredients, packaging components, POS materials, and other critical business requirements.
· Drive cost optimisation initiatives while maintaining quality, sustainability, and service standards.
· Collaborate closely with R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing, and Commercial teams.
· Support new product development through early supplier involvement and sourcing expertise.
· Identify and mitigate supply chain risks while strengthening supplier partnerships.
· Monitor market developments, raw material trends, and procurement best practices.
· Contribute to sustainability initiatives through responsible sourcing and supplier engagement.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Professional Experience
· Minimum 8-10 years of procurement or purchasing experience, including several years in a leadership role.
· Experience within FMCG, cosmetics, personal care, or a similarly complex manufacturing environment.
· Bachelor's or Master's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
· Demonstrable track record in man-management and purchase excellence
· Strong track record in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and procurement transformation.
· Experience managing international supplier networks and cross-functional stakeholders.
· Professional fluency in English is essential.
Leadership & Competencies
· Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen.
· Proven people leader capable of developing high-performing teams.
· Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
· Excellent negotiation and influencing capabilities.
· Results-oriented with a hands-on and pragmatic approach.
· Able to balance operational priorities with long-term strategic objectives.
· Effective communicator with strong stakeholder management skills.
Personality & Culture Fit
· Collaborative and relationship-driven.
· Proactive, resilient, and solution-oriented.
· Comfortable operating in a dynamic, international environment.
· Values quality, innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
· Thrives in a family-owned business culture that combines entrepreneurial spirit with long-term thinking.
SALARY & ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
· Highly competitive fixed and performance-based variable salary
· Travel allowance
· 27 vacation days per year (based on full-time employment)
· A solid pension plan
