Procurement Manager

This permanent role is based in Midlands and focuses on leading a procurement team within the higher education sector. You will lead and manage the procurement process end to end, mentoring and leading the team throughout the process.

• Procurement Manager on a permanent basis for a higher education provider.
• Hybrid opportunity with 2 days onsite in Midlands paying £50,200 plus.

• Lead and manage a team of procurement professionals, providing support, direction and development.
• Develop and implement category strategies that deliver value, compliance and innovation across key spend areas.
• Manage multiple procurement projects and tenders concurrently, ensuring delivery against agreed timescales and objectives.
• Lead end-to-end tender exercises, including specification development, procurement strategy, market engagement, tender management, evaluation and contract award.
• Act as a trusted procurement advisor to faculties, departments and project teams, providing expert guidance on procurement processes and best practice.
• Support major estates, construction, refurbishment and sustainability-related procurement activities.
• Assess procurement risks and identify the most appropriate commercial and procurement approaches.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships across academic and professional service areas, influencing decision-making and ensuring successful project outcomes.
• Deputise for the Head of Procurement and represent the Procurement function at project boards, governance forums and key stakeholder meetings.
• Support contract management and supplier performance activities, ensuring ongoing value delivery.
• Contribute to the development of procurement policies, procedures and continuous improvement initiatives.

You will be an experienced public sector procurement professional with a proven track record of delivering complex tenders and managing stakeholder relationships in a large and diverse organisation.

• Significant experience delivering end-to-end public sector procurements and tenders.
• Strong understanding of the Procurement Act 2023 and public procurement legislation.
• Experience of category management and strategic sourcing.
• Proven ability to manage multiple procurement projects simultaneously.
• Experience leading, mentoring or managing procurement professionals.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with senior academics, professional services colleagues and suppliers.
• Excellent commercial, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to wider organisational objectives.
• MCIPS qualified or working towards qualification.
• Experience within Higher Education or another complex public-sector environment.
• Experience managing estates, construction, capital works or facilities-related procurements.
• Familiarity with e-tendering systems and supplier relationship management.