Head of Group Procurement

• Location: Chester HQ - Hybrid working (requirement to be in the office in Chester 2 days a week minimum)
• Salary: £70,000 - £75,000 DOE
• Reporting To: Head of Leagal
• Team: Group Procurement (reporting to Head of Legal)

About Forge Holiday Group:

Forge Holiday Group unites three amazing brands - Sykes Holidays, Forest Holidays, and Bachcare (NZ), under one mission: to make it easier and more rewarding for people to enjoy unforgettable holidays.

With a team of 1,700 colleagues and four values at our heart- One Business, Keep It Simple, Grow & Learn, Sustainable Impact. We're shaping the future of travel while building a sustainable, values-driven business for our guests, owners, and people.

About The Role

We're looking for a Head of Group Procurement to lead and shape Forge Holiday Group's strategic procurement capability, establishing a unified, value-driven approach across all brands.

This newly created role will bring together all procurement activity under a single "One Business" model. You'll define the Group's procurement strategy, deliver measurable commercial value, embed strong governance and compliance, and champion supplier innovation and sustainability.

This is a pivotal role in driving transformation from divisional procurement practices to a centralised, strategic function that supports Forge Holiday Group's growth ambitions and sustainability commitments.

What You'll Do:

• Strategy & Leadership: Design and implement a Group-wide procurement strategy aligned to business goals, sustainability, and compliance objectives.
• Governance & Compliance: Develop and enforce procurement policy and spend governance framework; ensure all contracts comply with legislation and internal policy.
• Category Management: Lead strategic procurement across all spend categories, Construction & CapEx, Fleet, Food & Beverage, Technology, Facilities, Marketing, Professional Services, and Utilities.
• Supplier Management: Establish SRM processes, conduct due diligence, and champion supplier diversity, innovation, and sustainability.
• Commercial Contracting: Lead high-value, complex negotiations and standardise contract templates.
• Systems & Reporting: Use procurement technology and data to track spend, report performance, and drive continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For:

Essential:

• Significant senior-level procurement leadership experience across multiple categories within a complex, multi-site organisation.
• Proven record in strategic procurement transformation and centralisation.
• MCIPS qualification (or equivalent).
• Expertise in both CapEx and OpEx procurement.
• Strong track record in supplier negotiation, contract drafting, and risk mitigation.
• High commercial and legal awareness across multiple spend categories.
• Proven stakeholder management and influencing skills, including experience engaging at Executive or Board level.

Desirable:

• Experience in leisure, hospitality, retail, or construction industries.
• Understanding of ethical sourcing, ESG standards, and sustainable procurement practices.
• Experience managing outsourced procurement partners and transitioning functions in-house.
• Familiarity with procurement technology, data-led decision making, and spend analytics tools.

About You:

You're a strategic thinker with a commercial mindset and a passion for driving value and sustainability. You thrive on collaboration, influence at senior levels, and bring clarity and structure to complex challenges.

Forge Holiday Group Benefits

• Annual bonus scheme linked to company performance.
• 33 days' holiday (including bank holidays).
• Birthday day off + 2 volunteering days per year.
• Enhanced parental leave (24 weeks maternity, 3 weeks paternity at full pay).
• Discounts on stays with our brands + wellbeing offers.
• Health cash plan & life assurance.
• Training & development opportunities.
• 24/7 mental health support.
• On-site gym and parking at Chester HQ (close to the train station).
• Employee savings scheme + long service awards.
• Proudly one of only 1,000 B Corp-certified companies in the UK.

Inclusion & Belonging: We're at our best when everyone can bring their authentic self to work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, recognising the power of diverse perspectives. If you need adjustments during the recruitment process, our team will be happy to help.

Apply today and help us shape the future of holidays, enabling the business to grow with clarity, confidence, and integrity.