Role Overview
This role sits at the heart of a major multi‑billion‑pound infrastructure programme designed to deliver long‑term resilience for millions of people. As a Senior Procurement Specialist, you will lead the planning and execution of a complex pipeline of procurement projects, ensuring timely, cost‑effective, and compliant outcomes aligned with current legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023.
You will combine strategic insight with strong commercial capability to lead negotiations, develop supplier relationships, and drive best value across the programme. You will also play a key role in providing high‑quality data, improving visibility of project progress, and ensuring systems are accurate and reliable.
As a senior member of the function, you will support, mentor, and help build capability across the procurement team while embedding best practice in a fast‑moving, high‑impact environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Own and deliver a portfolio of procurement projects, ensuring alignment with the programme’s overarching procurement and supply chain strategy.
* Lead supplier selection, tendering, and commercial negotiations to achieve best value, compliance, and effective risk management.
* Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and commercial teams to meet project requirements and maintain strong supplier relationships.
* Develop deep category and market knowledge to shape procurement strategies and support business decision‑making.
* Use data and insights to identify risks, opportunities, and forecasting needs.
* Support contract management activities post‑award, including performance monitoring and supplier exit planning where required.
* Ensure all procurement activity complies with relevant governance, legislation, and internal processes, maintaining accurate and complete documentation.
* Mentor and support colleagues across the procurement function, sharing knowledge and helping embed best practice.
What You’ll Need to Succeed
* Strategic thinker with a strong track record of delivering procurement strategies in major infrastructure or large‑scale capital delivery environments.
* Experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive informed decision‑making.
* Strong negotiation capability and familiarity with Microsoft 365 tools.
Qualifications & Experience:
* CIPS Level 5 (MCIPS preferred) or equivalent qualification OR Bachelor’s degree in procurement, supply chain, commercial, or related field.
* Strong knowledge of public procurement legislation (Procurement Act 2023, PCR 2015, UCR 2016).
* Minimum 5 years’ experience in a commercial/procurement function.
* Minimum 5 years working on major construction or infrastructure projects, including experience with NEC4 contracts.
* Experience in project management and project control principles.
* Proven ability to create and deliver category strategies.
* Experience within utilities or regulated environments (preferred).