Project Manager - Procurement / R&D

Senior Procurement Project Manager

Location: London / Weybridge - 2/3 days per week onsite
Contract: Interim / Contract
Day Rate: Competitive
Sector: FMCG / Pharmaceutical

The Opportunity

Our client, a leading global FMCG and Pharmaceutical organisation, is seeking an experienced Senior Procurement Project Manager to lead a portfolio of strategically important procurement initiatives.
This is a high-profile role requiring an accomplished project leader with extensive experience managing complex procurement projects, engaging senior stakeholders, driving governance, and ensuring successful delivery against demanding timelines.

Whilst experience supporting Research & Development (R&D) functions or R&D Procurement projects is highly desirable, the primary focus is on identifying a proven Procurement Project Manager with a track record of delivering large-scale procurement programmes in complex corporate environments.

The Role

As the Senior Procurement Project Manager, you will be responsible for leading and coordinating procurement projects from initiation through to successful completion. You will provide direction to cross-functional teams, manage project risks and dependencies, and ensure all deliverables are achieved on time, within scope, and in line with governance requirements.
You will work closely with procurement leadership, business stakeholders and project teams to deliver strategic sourcing initiatives and transformation programmes that support organisational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multiple procurement projects and strategic sourcing initiatives across complex business environments.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, milestones and governance frameworks.
• Organise, direct and coordinate cross-functional procurement project teams.
• Ensure projects are delivered to agreed quality standards, timelines and compliance requirements.
• Identify, manage and resolve project risks, issues and dependencies.
• Escalate critical challenges and provide recommendations to senior leadership.
• Prepare and present project updates, steering committee reports and executive-level presentations.
• Drive stakeholder engagement across Procurement, Commercial, Finance, Operations and Business Leadership teams.
• Support procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to procurement policies, governance processes and regulatory requirements.

About You

We are particularly interested in candidates who have extensive experience successfully delivering procurement projects in large, complex organisations.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience leading end-to-end procurement projects and programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple stakeholders across senior business and procurement functions.
• Experience creating and presenting project updates to executive stakeholders.
• Proven track record of delivering projects within agreed timelines, budgets and governance frameworks.
• Excellent project planning, risk management and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership and influencing capabilities.

Highly Desirable

• Experience supporting R&D, Innovation, Product Development or Scientific Services functions.
• Exposure to R&D Procurement, Clinical Services, Laboratory Services or outsourced research spend categories.
• Experience within FMCG, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare or Life Sciences organisations.
• Procurement transformation or operating model change experience.

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Vertage Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.