Head of Procurement

Overview

As Head of Procurement, you will lead the council’s procurement, contract management and commercial assurance to deliver value for money and social value at scale. You’ll shape strategy, governance and improvements across a large, complex organisation, guiding high-stakes procurement decisions and a service undergoing transformation. Your leadership will align procurement with the City Council Plan and wider priorities, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering measurable outcomes for residents. This is a pivotal opportunity to influence public spend and drive innovative, compliant procurement across the organisation.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working
• wellbeing support
• continuous development
• pensions/leave benefits
• collaborative senior leadership environment
• employee-friendly policies

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement, contract management and commercial assurance across the council
• Strengthen governance, systems and processes and drive strategic procurement activities
• Provide expert advice on complex, high-value, high-risk decisions
• Lead the service through change, stabilisation and development
• Ensure procurement remains compliant, innovative and commercially effective
• Collaborate with Members, Corporate Leadership Team and senior officers to align with council priorities

Key requirements

• Senior leader with a proven track record in procurement or commercial leadership within a large, complex organisation
• Strong strategic leadership and experience in developing and delivering procurement or commercial strategies
• Deep knowledge of procurement legislation, governance and best practice
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders on complex issues
• Experience leading high-performing, inclusive teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to translate strategy into delivery
• Effective communication skills with diverse internal and external stakeholders
• Commitment to equality, inclusion and delivering social value through procurement

• influencing senior stakeholders
• communication
• leadership and people development
• procurement legislation knowledge
• governance frameworks
• strategic procurement

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