United Living is a leading infrastructure, construction, and property services company in the UK. We help our customers and the communities they serve benefit from resilient infrastructure, affordable homes, and improved living spaces that are fit for the future. Our mission is to be the partner and employer of choice for designing, building, maintaining, and connecting communities and critical infrastructure, to create a more sustainable and inclusive society.

United Living Group is comprised of four complementary businesses, all dedicated to realising our vision of creating a connected, sustainable future:

Property Services – We revitalise homes and communities through the regeneration of living spaces, breathing new life into neighbourhoods. From delivering large programmes of work for social housing providers, to ensuring the highest building safety standards, we provide a range of services for public sector clients.

Infrastructure Services – Our team of infrastructure specialists design, build and maintain critical energy and water infrastructure, for the UK’s largest network owners and operators. The work we do supports the requirement for effective solutions to address the UK’s decarbonisation goals, and our processes minimise environmental and carbon impacts, whilst ensuring the safe and reliable operation of assets.

New Homes - As experienced and specialist new build housing contractors, we create homes and regenerate areas with communities in mind. We work collaboratively with registered partners, local authorities, and private developers to provide high quality, energy efficient, and sustainable homes for people to live and grow.

Connected - We connect people through fixed-line and wireless telecom infrastructure, ensuring seamless communication and access to information for all. At United Living, we have one of the largest specialist in-house teams for project management, acquisition, design, construction, and maintenance in the UK.

The purpose of the Head of Supply Chain role will be to lead the supply chain maturity journey of both United Living and the supply chain through regular and early engagement which develops trust and openness in relationships throughout the supply chain.  This role will develop and lead a strategy to support the supply chain in reducing cost (not margin), creating efficiencies and increasing mutual value. 

The Head of Supply Chain will develop and lead robust supply chain management across the Property Services businesses.  The Head of Supply Chain will be a key point of contact for supply chain engagement and communication leading the development of trust and openness in supplier relationships and ensuring the requirements of the client are met whilst also aligning with the business strategic objectives. 

Primary responsibilities

Business collaboration (internal & external)

Develop and maintain strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that client and business needs are fully understood and met with appropriate and best value strategic sourcing strategies

Engagement and collaborative working across United Living business units and Group (e.g. PSSC)

Maximise opportunity with internal businesses

Strategy and planning

Development of overarching procurement and supply chain strategy through engagement with cross functional teams and leveraging value opportunities across United Living businesses

Align business strategy to the relevant client drivers

Develop and encourage cross functional working to ensure strategic sourcing and supplier management are aligned across the business

Strategic supplier relationship management

High level engagement with identified strategic suppliers through B2B meetings, mutual value objectives and joint business plans

Recognition of performance excellence and addressing performance concerns as required

Analysis

Facilitate value opportunities for United Living from trend analysis – internally and externally

Competitor analysis – learn from our competitors

Review and assess ‘Voice of the Supplier’ survey

Supply chain maturity

Cross sector engagement and collaboration to develop ongoing strategy improvement and United Living supply chain development

Communication

Facilitate buy in and engagement from internal stakeholders through socialisation of strategies

Collaboratively engage with the client as required

Key tasks and accountabilities

• Develop the strategic procurement vision
• Assess and review relevant risks and mitigation of potential risks within the procurement and supply chain management processes
• Maintain and develop strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that client and business needs are fully understood and met
• Lead strategy and direction across the business to ensure strategic sourcing objectives are embedded. 
• Support Bid Team in tender submissions to achieve the best possible solutions both in terms of quality, operational and commercial provisions.
• Ensure management of the supply chain in line with Group and business drivers (service, quality, service, social value, carbon etc)
• Engender a sustainable culture with the supplier chain that meets with the business drivers for sustainable procurement (social value, carbon net zero, waste management, recycling etc.)
• Utilise performance measurement and scoring to assess and develop competencies of key providers
• Understand changes to the industry requirements including potential client demands, macro and micro influences and areas of potential innovation
• Work with operational teams to embed a high standard of supply chain management 
• Other tasks and responsibilities as reasonably required

Essential skills and experience

• Results orientated, with demonstratable experience of achieving the best-balanced outcome against project or business demand;
• Advanced knowledge procurement and strategic sourcing concepts and methodologies
• Excellent relationship building skills with the ability to quickly build credibility and confidence with a range of internal and external stakeholders;
• A driven leader, with a proven track record of creativity and improving ways of working to maximise efficiencies;
• Experience of managing strategic suppliers in a complex environment
• Self-awareness, with a strong focus on professional development.
• Develop and implement a strategy to build a diverse supply chain

Preferred skills and experience

• MCIPS Chartered or equivalent experience in procurement or strategic sourcing focused roles in senior in complex organisations;

• A proactive change leader, focused on continuous improvement and developing people

Expected Behaviours

Collaborative

• Be flexible and adaptable in all interactions with internal and external stakeholders
• Communicate effectively at all levels
• Manage conflict effectively in order to achieve win/win outcomes
• Work collaboratively within a close team

Integrity

• Ability to build trusting relationships through regular open and honest conversation
• Conduct all procurement activity in an ethical and transparent manner
• Embrace and deliver mutual value with the supply chain

Excellence

• A tenacious and determined approach to creative problem solving
• Manage time effectively with an ability to multi-task on a regular basis
• Manage projects and initiatives independently
• Ability to manage and mitigate risks and issues

What we need from the head of supply chain candidate

Preferred skills and experience

• MCIPS Chartered or equivalent experience in procurement or strategic sourcing focused roles in senior in complex organisations;

• A proactive change leader, focused on continuous improvement and developing people

Company culture

At United Living Group, we invest in our people and firmly believe that our workforce is our most valuable asset. A driving force for success and the core to achieving our vision of creating a connected and sustainable future, our team is the heart of our organisation.

Building a diverse, inclusive, and equal working environment in which everyone is welcomed and encouraged to be themselves, is a commitment we are dedicated to. We believe that having a diverse workforce not only sets us up for success, but it allows for greater opportunities for innovation, adaptability, and wide-ranging capabilities. We empower our people, and our communities, to champion diversity and change every day.

A fast-paced, diverse, and hugely ambitious business, we welcome challengers, innovators and people who embrace change. Establish yourself in a creative environment that champions freedom of expression and supports you in your personal and professional development – because together, we achieve more.

If you are a Head of Supply Chain seeking a dynamic and diverse work environment, we're offering:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunities for career progression aligned with the company’s growth
• Immediate interview for qualified candidates
• Permanent Opportunities Available 

How to Apply:

If you are ready to be part of our expanding team and contribute to our success, apply today for immediate consideration. Join us on this exciting journey of growth and innovation!

As a business United Living prefer to hire directly and we will be in touch with our PSL Agencies if we require support. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If speculative CVs are sent, no fee will be applicable.