What is Fractional Procurement? Understanding the Role
The fractional procurement meaning centres on flexible, senior-level procurement leadership. Unlike traditional full-time Procurement Directors earning £100,000-£160,000 annually, a fractional Procurement Director works with multiple companies simultaneously, bringing diverse industry experience and best practices to each engagement.
This model is especially valuable for mid-market companies transforming their procurement function, businesses professionalising supplier relationships, or organisations needing strategic sourcing expertise without full-time executive overhead.
What Does a Fractional Procurement Director Do?
A fractional Procurement Director performs the same functions as a full-time procurement leader, but on a part-time basis:
Strategic Sourcing
Category strategy development, supplier market analysis, and sourcing execution
Supplier Management
Key supplier relationships, performance management, and supplier development
Contract Negotiation
Commercial negotiations, contract drafting, and terms optimisation
Cost Optimisation
Spend analysis, savings identification, and value delivery tracking
Team Development
Procurement team building, training, and capability development
Digital Transformation
P2P system implementation, e-procurement, and process automation
Fractional Procurement Director vs Procurement Consultant
| Factor | Fractional Procurement Director | Procurement Consultant |
|---|---|---|
| Accountability | Owns procurement outcomes | Advises on projects |
| Team Leadership | Manages procurement team | External to team |
| Supplier Relationships | Owns key supplier relationships | Project-based involvement |
| Contract Negotiation | Leads negotiations directly | Supports or advises |
| Best For | Ongoing leadership, transformation | Specific projects, audits |
When Do You Need a Fractional Procurement Director?
- Procurement transformation: Professionalising procurement from reactive to strategic
- Cost reduction pressure: Need to deliver significant savings quickly
- Supply chain risk: Building resilience and dual-sourcing strategies
- M&A activity: Due diligence on supplier contracts and procurement integration
- System implementation: P2P or e-procurement platform deployment
- Interim cover: Bridging gap while recruiting permanent Head of Procurement
Fractional Procurement Director Cost UK
Fractional Procurement Director costs in the UK typically range from £800-£1,200 per day:
Typical Fractional Procurement Director Pricing
- 1 day/week: £3,200-£4,800/month (£38,000-£58,000/year)
- 2 days/week: £6,400-£9,600/month (£77,000-£115,000/year)
- 3 days/week: £9,600-£14,400/month (£115,000-£173,000/year)
Compare to full-time Procurement Director total cost: £140,000-£220,000+ (salary + benefits + bonus)
