Ray Searles
Procurement Team Leader (Europe)
Ray is an experienced procurement professional who specialises in leading change programs within strategic procurement. Ray's application of robust processes has enabled clients to improve supply chain performance, effectively manage and control supplier relationships, increase value delivery and upskill teams.
Ray's consulting experience in the food industry includes projects with Rich Products, Weetabix, Bakkavor (Geest), Natural American Foods and Bernard Matthews (where he led cross-functional teams sourcing ingredients, packaging, indirect matrials and professional services). Ray led a total procurement transformation project for a client with 26 food manufacturing locations which included redesigning the organizational structure, training key people and delivering a CLAN (Centre-led Action Network)-based procurement organization that reduced overall costs by 12%.
For another client, Ray led a team based in key supply countries buying a natural product and sourced 66% of the client's spend with direct producers as opposed to distributors , a process which saved in the region of 15%.
Ray has worked with clients large and small both in Europe and around the World and has carried out major sourcing activities in Asia, South Africa, USA and Europe.
- BSc, Mathematics - University of Surrey, Guildford
- Qualified MCIPS - Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply