James McLaughlan

A versatile creative, strategic & transformational procurement leader with a strong track record of exceeding targets, function transformation & leadership / team development. Experienced in starting greenfield procurement functions at growing start up organisations and leading procurement transformations / turnarounds at FTSE 250 level organisations. Strong in Direct, Indirect & Capex procurement across various FMCG companies.

Procurement Director at Paragon CC (2024-09 – Present)

Executive level procurement role leading a procurement transformation on all spend and businesses with £400m annual spend managed.

• Led a transformation of underperforming procurement function and implemented a number of new processes, policies and procedures
• Delivered £12m cost reduction savings in first year (3% cost reduction)
• Reduced number of inactive suppliers on ERP system down from 4000+ to 2500
• Implemented robust procurement policy, P2P & KYS processes among others
• Aided in achieving EcoVadis platinum with businesses largest improved score area in Sustainable Procurement
• Restructured procurement department giving clear objectives and progression plan to all members

Global Head of Procurement at Pladis Global (2022-12 – 2024-09)

Managing global category strategy for packaging, carton board, corrugate and other packaging. Part of global procurement transformation leadership team and transformation programme.

• Developed global sourcing strategy & implemented first truly global packaging tender (£1m saved)
• Created global sourcing strategy signed off by leadership team and rolled out
• Implemented best practice on supplier performance tracking reducing NOQ's by 60%
• Standardised payment terms globally increasing DPO by 1 day (£1.4m)
• Established 100% recycle ready packaging programme
• Mentored and aided in promotion of junior procurement team member

Procurement Role at Britishvolt (2022-06 – 2022-12)

Company went into administration ceasing operations.

Global Procurement Director at Essentra Packaging LTD (2017-07 – 2022-06)

FTSE 250 company and a leading global provider of packaging. Full ownership over direct, indirect & capex procurement across 24 manufacturing sites globally.

• Led a successful procurement transformation taking 3 separate regional teams and forming a global category procurement team & 2 regional
• Implemented several core processes and procedures including KYS, procurement policy, saving methodology among others
• Developed and delivered global procurement strategy including direct, indirect and capex
• Ownership of global procurement budgets and long-term strategic plan
• Tripled Essentra's procurement savings over a 2-year period globally
• In 2021 awarded an internal award for Openness, Honesty & Integrity voted by the board
• Took an existing unmotivated procurement team turning into a highly effective team
• Supported the acquisition of 3 businesses in Europe and North America and divestment of a UK manufacturing site
• Part of the senior leadership team turned operating margin from -0.4% in 2017 to +4.3% in 2019
• Successfully steered global procurement through Brexit & Covid 19 – minimum supply disruptions globally

Head of Procurement at BrewDog PLC (2015-12 – 2017-07)

Greenfield procurement role creating procurement function and developing the team. Providing leadership for best direct / indirect and Capex procurement practises across BrewDog PLC, Bars and Distillery.

• Developed and executed company-wide negotiation strategies bringing PLC, bar division and USA together to leverage scale
• Member of the BrewDog and supply chain leadership team
• Saved £4.2 million in the first year–direct / indirect (£1.2m) and capex (£3m Capex)
• Awarded top dog – one of 14 top performing staff members for 2016 in BrewDog
• Centralised procurement function across PLC and bar division
• Implemented Ethical Business Policy. Ensured all key suppliers signed up
• Created a risk register & balanced scorecard, identifying and scoring likelihood of supply / supplier risk
• Implemented minimum raw material stock levels with fully planned and managed replenishment
• Introduced Lean methodology, structure, strategy and process to BrewDog for all purchasing & supply chain

Group Senior Buyer at Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd (2015-04 – 2016-12)

FTSE 250 PLC role managing European, North/South American & Asian procurement activities. Sourcing activities, including vendor selection, negotiation, and contracting.

• Sourcing activities, including vendor selection, negotiation, and contracting
• Formulation of indirect category and Plc sourcing strategies & category plans
• Identify key areas of financial risk and supply vulnerability
• Reduced occupational health spend by 70% through tender & negotiation, annual savings of £200,000
• Corporate cards / Fleet / FM – savings more than £450,000
• Implemented a number of framework agreements across several spend areas previously vulnerable

European Supply Chain Manager at Rexam Beverage Can (2012-08 – 2015-04)

FTSE 100 multinational company and global leader in the beverage can industry. Developed and implementing European freight, warehousing and packaging category strategies.

• Project management using lean methodologies (DMAIC, 5s, 5 whys, Root cause, pareto, fishbone analysis, cost benefit analysis)
• Development and implementation of European and Russian negotiation strategies & tenders
• Collaborating with strategic suppliers, identifying cost saving and service improvement opportunities
• Led & managed of European Supply chain financing programme, cost savings more than £800,000
• Successfully led negotiations and tenders resulting in cost savings more than £1,000,000
• Developed European & Russian long & short-term supply chain strategy & roadmaps
• Led several supplier collaboration projects including UK warehouse solar panelling

BSc Honours in Business Information Technology Multimedia – University of the West of Scotland (2002-09 – 2006-07)