Corporate Procurement Manager - Hybrid working minimum of 60% time spent in the office, Gateshead Civic Centre.
Lead procurement that truly makes a difference to communities.
Who We Are & What We Stand For
Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match. We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time. We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward‑thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive. At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi‑time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.
Where strategic procurement meets public value.
Working with the Service Director, Financial Management, directorates across the Council, and our external partners, the service is key in shaping and delivering procurement strategies that underpin the Council’s long‑term financial resilience. As part of the Financial Management service, procurement lead the development and implementation of approaches that are aligned with the Council’s overarching objectives, ensuring that every pound spent contributes to better outcomes for residents. By embedding strategic procurement practices, the service ensures value for money, ethical sourcing, and sustainable supply chains that support local economic growth and social value. Through strategic leadership and collaborative working, the service ensures that procurement is not just a transactional function, but a key enabler of the Council’s ambitions for its communities.
Shape the future of public sector procurement.
As Corporate Procurement Manager, you will take on a high‑impact role at the heart of Gateshead Council, shaping major spending decisions and ensuring public money delivers the best possible outcomes for residents and services. Working closely with the Head of Procurement, you will lead the Council’s corporate procurement activity, driving strategic, compliant and innovative procurement across all categories. You will lead and develop a team of Category Leads, and ensure strong governance, legislative compliance and risk management. Through strong leadership, stakeholder engagement and commercial insight, you will help deliver the Council’s objectives, values and long‑term financial sustainability.
What You'll Get To Do
* Lead and manage the Council’s procurement activity across all categories, ensuring delivery of compliant, efficient and valueformoney outcomes, with responsibility for highvalue, highrisk and strategically important procurements.
* Provide expert advice on procurement legislation, commercial practice and contract management to elected members, senior leaders and officers, ensuring legal compliance, risk mitigation and best value.
* Develop and implement the Council’s Procurement Strategy and category strategies, using spend analysis, market intelligence and pipeline planning to deliver savings, social value, innovation and alignment with corporate priorities.
* Oversee supplier and contract performance, strengthening supplier relationships, managing supplychain risk, addressing performance issues and encouraging innovation and continuous improvement.
* Lead the digitalisation and modernisation of procurement, maximising the use of data, systems and insight to improve decisionmaking, transparency and outcomes.
* Manage and develop the Corporate Procurement Service, providing strong leadership, clear direction and effective people management, including recruitment, performance, absence and professional development.
* Build organisational capability and culture, delivering and supporting corporate procurement training and developing the skills of Category Leads, procurement professionals and wider stakeholders.
* Support Head of Procurement and the Service Director as required, representing the Council internally and externally and contributing to strategic commissioning, procurement policy and transformation agendas.
* Manage the service work plan and commercial aspects of procurement, allocating work to Category Leads, forecasting future demand, and ensuring income opportunities, efficiencies and benefits are maximised.
What You'll Bring
* Professionally qualified in procurement, holding CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply (or being prepared and willing to obtain within two years), with strong knowledge of public sector procurement legislation and governance.
* Extensive public sector experience of strategic procurement and category management, including leading highvalue, complex and crossorganisational procurements from strategy through to contract award and management.
* Proven ability to deliver legally compliant and auditready procurement activity, with experience preparing tender documentation, running competitive processes, leading evaluation panels and defending decisions under scrutiny.
* Strong commercial and analytical capability, with experience using spend data, market intelligence and complex information to inform sourcing strategies and deliver best value outcomes.
* Significant experience of contract management, negotiation and supplier relationship management, including addressing performance issues and managing risk within the supply chain.
* Demonstrable people management and leadership experience, including performance management, developing skills and supporting continuous professional development.
* Excellent communication and influencing skills, with a track record of working collaboratively across organisational boundaries and constructively challenging senior stakeholders.
* High level of technical proficiency, including eprocurement systems, financial systems and advanced Microsoft Office skills, with the ability to maintain accurate, comprehensive procurement records.
What's In It For You
* Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
* Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
* Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
* Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
* Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work‑life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
* Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
* Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
* Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax‑efficient cycle to work programme.
* Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand‑new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions a cost‑effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
* Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).
Our commitment to you
We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
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