The Challenge
Following a UK-wide restructure, the business needed to rapidly build out its procurement leadership and category management capability. The roles included:
- Head of Indirect Procurement
- Head of Procurement Transformation
- Two Indirect Category Managers
- Direct Category Manager
The challenge was two-fold: tight timeframes driven by cost-saving targets, and the need to attract high-calibre procurement professionals who were capable of operating in a complex, changing environment.
The Solution
We took a structured and insight-led approach from the outset. Each role was scoped through detailed job briefings, covering technical requirements alongside softer indicators such as leadership style, stakeholder management, and change capability. This ensured clarity on what “good” looked like for each hire, rather than relying on generic job descriptions.
We supported the process with current market insight, including salary benchmarking and hiring trends, to align expectations and ensure the roles were positioned competitively.
All candidates were pre-screened, assessing both technical capability and cultural fit, before being introduced to the client. This significantly reduced interview volume for the client while maintaining quality.
The Impact
All roles were successfully filled within a six-week period. Every role offered was accepted, with an average of just three interviews per hire, enabling the client to move quickly while maintaining confidence in decision-making.
Client Feedback:
“JSS were instrumental in supporting the UK procurement transformation and found some very high-calibre individuals who landed well and have gone on to add strategic value.”
– Director of Procurement
