Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,500 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 28 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.
At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.
The Opportunity
This is a highly visible leadership role within the Group Procurement Leadership Team (GPLT), partnering directly with the Vice President Group Procurement and senior executives across the business. You will be responsible for driving the execution of a substantial value creation programme, ensuring robust governance, delivering strategic insights to executive stakeholders, and having overall responsibility of the global Procurement PMO. This role combines strategy, programme leadership, transformation delivery, business performance management, and executive engagement. The position offers a unique opportunity to influence enterprise-wide procurement performance across a global spend portfolio of approximately £1.7bn and a function spanning more than 30 sites worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Business Partnership
Serve as a key member of the Group Procurement Leadership Team, helping shape and execute the procurement strategy.
Partner closely with the VP Group Procurement and senior business leaders to align priorities and deliver strategic objectives.
Act as a trusted advisor to procurement leadership and divisional stakeholders.
Value Creation & Performance Delivery
Lead and govern the global procurement value creation programme across all spend categories.
Drive delivery through over 60 initiative owners, ensuring accountability, progress tracking, and achievement of targeted benefits.
Oversee value tracking methodologies and ensure alignment with Finance leadership.
Monitor performance against key procurement KPIs and drive corrective actions where required.
Programme Management & Transformation
Lead the Group Procurement PMO and governance framework across all major initiatives.
Manage cross-functional programmes, ensuring alignment, risk mitigation, milestone achievement, and successful execution.
Support the implementation of strategic procurement transformation initiatives, operating model improvements, and digital solutions.
Contribute to the development of the Procurement 5-Year Strategy and Transformation Roadmap.
Executive Reporting & Governance
Develop executive-level reporting, dashboards, presentations, and performance narratives for Divisional Leadership Teams and the Executive Committee.
Own the Group Procurement Risk Register, ensuring risks, controls, and action plans are actively managed.
Coordinate leadership meetings, strategic reviews, talent reviews, town halls, and executive updates.
Financial & Operational Management
Manage the annual Group Procurement budget process and ongoing budget performance.
Support major enterprise projects, representing Group Procurement and coordinating functional input as required.
About You
You are a strategic and results-driven leader who thrives in complex global environments and has a proven ability to deliver transformation through influence, collaboration, and disciplined execution.
Experience
Degree qualified
Procurement…