City Football Group Secures Head of Procurement Through Executive Search
Overview
City Football Group required an experienced procurement leader to oversee its global procurement function and support informed financial decision making across the organisation.
Reporting to the Finance Director for Capital Projects and Investments, the Head of Procurement would develop the Group’s procurement strategy, strengthen supplier management and create sustainable cost efficiencies.
Challenge
The Head of Procurement would hold responsibility for procurement strategy, policies, budgets and purchasing decisions across a complex global organisation.
The successful candidate needed significant experience leading procurement teams and managing substantial budgets. They also required strong negotiation, contract management, analytical and supplier relationship skills.
The remit extended beyond traditional purchasing responsibilities. The successful leader would analyse spending patterns, identify structural cost reductions and oversee supplier performance, audits and risk across the Group.
A further priority was the ability to influence senior stakeholders. The Head of Procurement would advise and challenge the Chief Financial Officer, finance directors and functional leaders, ensuring procurement and supplier considerations were embedded in decision making from the outset.
The search therefore required a leader who could balance strategic thinking with operational delivery, while building a visible, proactive and highly regarded procurement function.
Solution
The search was led by Tom Beswick, Senior Consultant at Executives in Sport Group, who specialises in senior appointments across finance, operations and corporate services.
His established network included potential candidates with relevant procurement leadership experience, as well as trusted contacts able to recommend high-calibre individuals within the market.
This enabled the search to move quickly beyond those actively looking for a new role and reach experienced leaders who may not otherwise have considered a move.
The process focused on senior procurement professionals with evidence of developing global strategies, delivering cost efficiencies and improving procurement policies, systems and reporting.
Candidates were assessed against the organisation’s principal requirements, including team leadership, supplier governance, commercial negotiation, risk management and the ability to influence senior decision makers.
This search required a procurement leader who could influence at the highest level while turning global spend data into practical, sustainable value across the Group.
Tom Beswick – Senior Consultant, EISG
Particular attention was given to candidates who could use spending data and market intelligence to identify opportunities, challenge established practices and provide clear recommendations to senior leadership.
Twelve candidates were interviewed during the search. Four progressed to the shortlist after demonstrating the experience, leadership capability and stakeholder management skills required for the role.
Result
The search delivered a focused shortlist of four senior procurement leaders aligned with City Football Group’s global priorities.
The shortlisted candidates brought relevant experience across procurement strategy, cost management, supplier performance, contract negotiation and organisational change.
By combining specialist market knowledge with a targeted headhunting approach, the process gave City Football Group access to senior candidates who were not actively seeking new opportunities.
The organisation received a strong selection of leaders capable of developing a high-performing procurement function, improving financial decision making and supporting sustainable efficiencies across the Group.
The search also demonstrated the value of using executive sports recruitment specialists to identify experienced corporate services leaders capable of operating across complex, international organisations.