Area Head of Procurement for South West Europe

Maersk Area Head of Procurement for South West Europe

Shape procurement strategy for Logistics & Services across South West Europe

Maersk is an ambitious global growth company, expanding and transforming our logistics capabilities to deliver truly integrated supply chain solutions for our customers. Our Logistics & Services organisation is central to that ambition — and our Area Head of Procurement for South West Europe will be at the heart of how we deliver it across Iberia, France and the Maghreb.

You will drive strategic business partnering, cost leadership and operational excellence across the full Logistics & Services portfolio — Landside Transportation (FCL), Warehousing and Depots (OPEX & CAPEX), and FTL/LTL (Middle and Last Mile) — while leading digital innovation in procurement and building a highly engaged team.

This is a role with real influence: representing procurement at Area Leadership Team level, presenting to and being constructively challenged by senior peers, and shaping how the region buys, partners and performs.

Key responsibilities

• In this role, you will

• Manage the Area Procurement team across SWE, including colleagues based in Iberia, France and the Maghreb

• Harmonise Area procurement efforts with the Regional and Centre Procurement teams in a matrix organisation

• Partner with Product, Sales, Customer Experience and Finance on long-term game plans, including growth projects, aligning costs, commercial needs, customer experience and operational execution

• Lead negotiations, hold senior relationships, and coordinate Service Level Agreements between Maersk and its partners

• Integrate Maersk Contract Management frameworks to ensure compliance and best-in-class supplier performance

• Drive a strong digital footprint and agenda within supplier engagements and Area business plans

• Turn supplier market analytics and market intelligence into a competitive edge for Maersk's book of business

• Cooperate closely with colleagues across the Area and the Ocean set-up in the Region

• Maintain and grow relationships with commercial logistics and services Regional directors, supporting Regional strategy through the Area

• Represent procurement at Area Leadership Team level, presenting to and being constructively challenged by peers and senior stakeholders in that forum

• Expected travel to strategic vendor sites, owned assets and other areas of strategic relevance

• Who we are looking for

• We're looking for a leader who already operates with credibility at Area Leadership Team level — someone comfortable presenting to, and being challenged by, senior stakeholders beyond procurement, and used to owning a broad, P&L-style remit rather than a single category.

You bring:

• 10 years of experience in Logistics, specifically Inland transportation, Warehousing, Cold Chain, Intermodal, Contract Logistics and Supply Chain Management

• Experience in supply chain management, contract and lead logistics, landside and intermodal transportation, warehousing and distribution, 3PL, 4PL, fulfilment services and procurement is a benefit, combined with awareness of cost drivers, market knowledge, digital experience and strong leadership skills

• Experience gained in a matrixed multinational environment — freight forwarding, 3PL, shipping, or a large industrial with a comparable leadership structure — rather than a pure category management track

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Business Administration or a related field

• Direct leadership experience, including team capability building, leading a team of approximately 6 direct reports

• Ability to lead digital change and transformation

• High proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Power BI and ERP systems

• Language: English (fluency required). Spanish and/or French are a strong advantage given the geographical scope of the area

• Credibility and presence at Area Leadership Team level, with a track record of operating in senior leadership forums

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills

• Superb communication and interpersonal skills

• Composure when confronted with sudden setbacks

• A knack for negotiation

• Willingness to operate in a fast-paced and often ambiguous environment

• Ability to make quick decisions with 80% information

• High learning agility and a thirst for knowledge

• Ability to constructively challenge and bring change

• Strong stakeholder management skills

• The leadership we value

• You see the bigger picture and translate it into clear direction for your team and your stakeholders. You build trust across functions and geographies, hold your own in senior forums, and create the conditions for your team to grow and perform at their best — while staying close enough to the detail to keep suppliers, costs and service levels under control.

• Why join us?

• Based in Madrid, you'll lead procurement for one of Maersk's most strategically important areas — with the scope to shape supplier relationships, cost performance and digital adoption across three countries and a region in transformation. You'll work closely with Regional leadership in Copenhagen and be a visible voice for procurement at the table where Area decisions get made.

• Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

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