Title: Strategic Procurement Manager
Location: Hove, UK (Hybrid)
Contract: 3 months
Working pattern: Full time (9am to 5pm - Monday to Friday)
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver strategic procurement and category plans across designated spend areas, ensuring procurement activity aligns with organisational priorities and delivers measurable value.
- Lead complex end-to-end procurement exercises, tendering activities, and commercial projects, ensuring effective project governance, resource planning, risk management, and successful delivery.
- Identify emerging procurement trends, market developments, risks, and opportunities, providing strategic recommendations to support informed decision-making.
- Develop procurement policies, strategies, and best practice guidance, contributing to continuous improvement and organisational objectives.
- Evaluate existing procurement and service delivery models, recommending innovative solutions to improve quality, efficiency, and long-term value.
- Provide expert commercial advice to senior stakeholders on procurement strategies, route-to-market options, contract management, and supplier engagement.
- Ensure all procurement activities comply with Public Procurement Regulations (PCR 2015 and Procurement Act 2023), Council policies, and legislative requirements, including Social Value, Environmental Sustainability, and Modern Slavery obligations.
- Support the development and implementation of operational procurement plans while contributing to longer-term strategic planning.
- Lead major procurement projects, service reviews, and cross-functional initiatives, representing the procurement function both internally and externally.
- Manage procurement budgets and allocated resources effectively, ensuring financial accountability and delivery within agreed targets.
- Collaborate with managers, service leads, and external partners to identify opportunities for cost savings, process improvements, and enhanced commercial outcomes.
- Lead, coach, and develop procurement professionals, fostering a high-performing team focused on delivering strategic objectives and continuous improvement.
- Represent the organisation at local, regional, and industry procurement forums, building strong professional networks and promoting procurement excellence.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Degree qualified or equivalent professional qualification, ideally CIPS Level 5 (or working towards), or equivalent procurement experience.
- Significant experience in strategic procurement, category management, and commercial leadership within the public or private sector.
- Strong knowledge of Public Procurement Regulations (PCR 2015), the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23), and public sector procurement best practice.
- Proven experience leading complex procurement projects, strategic sourcing initiatives, and high-value tendering exercises.
- Strong understanding of category management methodologies and their practical application.
- Commercially astute with experience in contract negotiation, cost analysis, supplier management, and delivering value-for-money outcomes.
- Knowledge of change management, project management, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders, elected members, and external partners.
- Experience developing procurement strategies, policies, and governance frameworks.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment.
Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
