About the role
We're thrilled to offer an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious Senior Procurement Manager to join our dynamic team within the Business Services Directorate. This is much more than just a job‑it’s the chance to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of procurement across the organisation. Step into a position where your regulated procurement expertise will be celebrated, your ideas will drive innovation, and your leadership will make a genuine difference to major programmes and projects. If you're ready to take ownership, collaborate with talented professionals, and leave a lasting legacy, this is the role for you. In this influential position, you will take the helm, inspiring a skilled team to craft and execute cutting‑edge procurement strategies, that meet the regulations but still result in robust, high‑value contracts, supporting the wider vision of the organisation. Your leadership will be crucial in guiding and empowering the team to deliver a quality service while expertly navigating competing demands and priorities. Based at one of the following locations: Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Bedford, Guildford. You will be required to spend 40% of your working week office‑based.
Responsibilities
* Lead a high‑performing team, driving a consistent and innovative approach throughout the entire procurement journey‑from initial strategy to successful contract delivery‑ensuring outstanding results for major programmes and projects.
* Be a catalyst for professional growth, managing and nurturing your team's talents, unlocking their potential and boosting morale, so everyone feels valued and inspired to excel.
* Forge strong relationships with senior stakeholders, delving into business requirements and matching them with a clear‑eyed understanding of market capability and capacity. Your visionary insight will shape inventive supply solutions and forward‑thinking market plans, helping the organisation achieve a powerful and unified stance in the marketplace.
* Take centre stage in awarding contracts and negotiating pivotal contract variations, within the regulations, on behalf of National Highways, directly impacting the future of the organisation.
* Collaborate with contract experts, harnessing their knowledge to overcome complex procurement challenges, ensuring your strategies are watertight and future‑ready.
* Stay ahead of the curve by keeping your finger on the pulse of legislative changes, industry trends, and market dynamics, using your insight to inform and evolve departmental strategies alongside the Head of Procurement.
Qualifications and Skills
* A deep, hands‑on understanding of the end‑to‑end procurement process, as well as in‑depth knowledge of the Procurement Act 2014 and Procurement Contract Regulations 2015 and the associated procurement policy notes that underpin the procurement environment.
* Proven expertise in market analysis and engagement, enabling you to develop approaches that meet—and exceed—business needs.
* A flair for creating and launching compelling tender packs (ITT, RFQ, and beyond) that excite the market and attract the best suppliers.
* Experience with developing and rolling out innovative partnership contract models, particularly NEC, would be a real bonus.
* Professional procurement qualifications—such as CIPS—or a passionate commitment to achieving them.
* Outstanding stakeholder management skills, enabling you to build strong, lasting relationships right across the business.
Location
Based at one of the following locations: Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Bedford, Guildford. 40% of the week office‑based.
Compensation
External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.
EEO Statement
We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
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