Our client, a leading international organisation with diversified operations across multiple geographies, is seeking an accomplished Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) to lead and transform its global procurement and strategic sourcing function.

This is a senior executive leadership opportunity for a commercially astute procurement professional with extensive experience in developing global procurement strategies, driving cost efficiencies, strengthening supplier partnerships and establishing robust procurement governance across complex, multi-country operations.

The successful candidate will play a strategic role in supporting the organisation's international growth, operational efficiency and long-term business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Global Procurement Strategy

• Develop and implement the organisation's global procurement strategy aligned with overall business objectives.
• Lead strategic sourcing and procurement activities across multiple geographies and business units.
• Establish centralised procurement frameworks while ensuring effective coordination with regional and local operations.
• Identify opportunities for procurement optimisation, cost reduction and value creation.

2. Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives across direct and indirect procurement categories.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, vendors and international partners.
• Negotiate major commercial agreements, framework contracts and long-term supply arrangements.
• Establish supplier evaluation, performance monitoring and risk management frameworks.
• Ensure supply continuity, quality, competitiveness and operational reliability.

3. Commercial & Financial Management

• Drive procurement savings, cost optimisation and working capital improvements.
• Establish category management strategies and strategic spend management processes.
• Oversee procurement budgets, financial controls and commercial negotiations.
• Monitor procurement performance through measurable KPIs and reporting mechanisms.
• Ensure procurement decisions deliver sustainable commercial value.

4. Procurement Governance & Risk Management

• Establish and strengthen procurement policies, procedures and governance frameworks.
• Ensure transparency, accountability and compliance with internal controls.
• Oversee contract management, tendering processes and procurement approvals.
• Identify and mitigate supplier, market, geopolitical and supply chain risks.
• Promote ethical sourcing and sustainable procurement practices.

5. Operational & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work closely with business leadership, finance, operations, farming, logistics and other functional heads.
• Ensure procurement strategies support operational requirements across international business units.
• Drive coordination between central procurement and regional operating teams.
• Support strategic business expansion, operational transformation and new investment initiatives.

6. Digital Procurement & Transformation

• Lead procurement transformation initiatives through digitalisation, automation and data analytics.
• Strengthen procurement systems, spend visibility and performance reporting.
• Introduce best practices in category management, supplier intelligence and strategic sourcing.

7. Leadership & Team Development

• Build, lead and develop a high-performing global procurement organisation.
• Establish clear performance objectives and accountability across procurement teams.
• Develop procurement talent, succession pipelines and organisational capabilities.
• Foster a culture of commercial excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Candidate Profile & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering or a related discipline. A relevant Master's degree or MBA is preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive procurement and strategic sourcing experience, with significant exposure to senior leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience leading procurement functions across international or multi-country operations.
• Strong experience in strategic sourcing, category management, supplier negotiations and commercial contract management.
• Experience managing complex procurement portfolios and significant expenditure.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable cost savings, procurement efficiencies and operational improvements.
• Experience in agriculture, agribusiness, food production, FMCG, manufacturing or other asset-intensive industries would be advantageous.
• Strong understanding of international supply markets, commodity procurement and supply chain dynamics.
• Experience in procurement governance, risk management and digital procurement transformation.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic and commercial acumen.
• Strong negotiation and influencing capabilities.
• Global stakeholder and supplier relationship management.
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making.
• Change management and transformation leadership.
• Strong communication and executive-level presentation skills.
• Ability to operate effectively across diverse cultural and geographical environments.

Application

Interested professionals with relevant global procurement leadership experience are invited to express their interest through a confidential discussion.

All applications and discussions will be treated with strict confidentiality.