Head of Procurement, London

Your impact 

We have an exciting opportunity for a strategic, hands on and analytical Procurement Lead to build our sourcing function from the ground up. Reporting directly to the Finance Director, you will lead on building and implementing a durable, value-driven sourcing strategy.  We are looking for a builder; this role offers the unique challenge of establishing a function within a rapidly scaling, mission-driven environment. Your leadership will bridge the gap between commercial discipline and groundbreaking science, ensuring our operational engine is as innovative as our AI models.

What you will do 

Your primary focus will be on managing RFPs, vendor selection and strategy, negotiation, and vendor onboarding.  

• Strategy & Architecture: Design and implement the company’s first formal procurement policy and strategy.
• Vendor selection and negotiation: Partner with Function Leads, Technical Program Managers and Operating Partners to lead the selection, negotiation, and onboarding of vendors. 
• Category Management: Oversee spend across G&A software, licenses and databases, IT/SaaS, and Professional Services.
• Cost Optimisation: Identify and execute cost-saving initiatives (e.g., volume discounts, preferred vendor programs) to stretch our capital further and empower a commercial mindset across relevant stakeholders. Benchmark supplier quotes and negotiate with vendors on price and other key terms. 
• Risk Mitigation: Ensure all vendors understand and meet stringent compliance, quality, and data security standards. Implement multisourcing to introduce redundancy for business critical situations.
• Vendor onboarding: Manage the vendor onboarding process including Vendor Security Assessments and Finance systems enrollment.

Skills and qualifications 

• Depth of experience  in procurement, ideally within the Biotech/Pharma or or Tech/SaaS  industry  
• Proven track record of building, scaling, or significantly transforming a procurement function from the ground up, including writing policies and establishing governance. 
• Deep understanding of sourcing strategies across critical spend areas, specifically IT infrastructure, enterprise software licenses, data/databases, and professional services.
• Advanced negotiation skills with a strong grasp of commercial contract law, IP considerations, and data security/privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR) relevant to vendor onboarding. 
• Ability to work autonomously in a high-growth, venture-backed, rapidly scaling environment.
• Systems: Hands on experience selecting, implementing or optimising ERP/e-Procurement software (e.g., NetSuite, Coupa, or Jaggaer).
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to partner with, influence, and educate highly technical and scientific stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in business would be an advantage, but is not essential.