Strategic Sourcing Lead

The Strategic Sourcing Lead is a new role that is responsible for leading a large team of Strategic Procurement Officers to deliver a large volume of complex sourcing events, ensuring the acquisition of goods, works and services is conducted efficiently, cost-effectively, and in compliance with company policies and procedures. This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of procurement processes and supply markets within the energy industry and a focus on continuous improvement. The Strategic Sourcing Lead will manage approximately 250 sourcing events per annum within the Sourcing Centre of Excellence, covering all categories of spend across group. The Strategic Sourcing Lead will ensure all sourcing requests received from across the organisation are triaged and fulfilled to the highest standards, delivering commercial value at every opportunity. Whilst a key focus is commercial value, there is a key need for pace and efficiency of process and empowerment to enable self-serve within the BUs where possible. The role holder will also understand and leverage PA23, where applicable, to identify further opportunities for value and deploy best fit forms of contract relevant to the goods, works or services being procured. You will

• Build strong relationships with internal and external partners, ensuring clear communication and collaboration to deliver sourcing strategies that create real business value.
• Lead with care by guiding and developing a large team of procurement professionals, championing growth, succession planning, and career progression.
• Shape smart sourcing strategies-from business requirements to market engagement to supplier negotiations to contract execution-while spotting opportunities for efficiency and cost savings.
• Drive continuous improvement with the global process owner across sourcing processes, making things simpler, smarter, and more effective.
• Ensure compliance with confidence, maintaining high standards and supporting audits to keep everything aligned with policies and regulations.
• Empower through expertise, coaching teams and stakeholders to build capability and awareness across the organisation.
  Holistic understanding of business needs, category strategies, and sourcing approaches, with strong knowledge of procurement legislation.
• Expertise in sourcing and contracting, including systems like Jaggaer, and proven success in managing complex procurement activities.
• Confident in contracts, able to draft tailored terms and navigate dispute procedures, backed by deep knowledge of legal and company policies.
• Strategic and connected, with insight into supply chains, strong industry relationships, and experience improving processes for efficiency.
• Influential and skilled, bringing advanced negotiation ability, strong analytical and writing skills, and proficiency in procurement systems like Oracle and Achilles.
  SSE has a bold ambition - to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We're investing around £10 million a day in homegrown energy to help power a cleaner, more secure future. Our investment will see us build the world's largest offshore wind farm and transform the grid to deliver greener electricity to millions.
SSE own a portfolio of over 500 property and land assets - power stations, offices, depots and more. Our P&C, Property and FM teams help make sure our portfolio is modern, safe and fit for purpose. They help us get the best service and value from partners, while ensuring suppliers meet compliance, contractual and business obligations.
Salary: £50,100 - £75,100 + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family. Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available, Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.