Procurement Business Partner
Reports to: Head of Procurement
Direct Reports: 2
The Opportunity
I am looking for an experienced Procurement Business Partner to act as a strategic link between procurement and service areas. This is a senior, commercially focused role responsible for ensuring procurement activity aligns with strategic priorities, delivers value for money, and complies with public sector legislation.
You will play a key role in shaping sourcing strategies, leading complex procurements, supporting contract owners, and embedding best practice contract management. This role requires both strategic thinking and hands-on delivery.
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will:
1. Lead the development and delivery of commercially focused sourcing and contract management strategies.
2. Create and maintain category plans and ensure all activity is captured within the procurement pipeline.
3. Conduct market analysis to inform sourcing decisions and identify savings opportunities.
4. Provide robust value-for-money challenge and strategic procurement advice to service leads.
5. Apply procurement policies (including social value and sustainability) to maximise benefits from third-party spend.
6. Lead negotiations on major procurements and support contract drafting in collaboration with legal and finance teams.
7. Ensure effective contract management in line with the Procurement Act 2023.
8. Monitor procurement compliance and address areas of non-compliance.
9. Prepare tender award reports and senior-level briefings.
10. Work with audit colleagues to identify and mitigate risk.
11. Provide training and guidance on procurement best practice.
12. Collaborate with other public sector bodies to support joined-up procurement approaches.
13. Manage, develop and performance-manage a small team.
14. Identify and deliver process improvements and verified savings.
This role may also deputise for the Head of Procurement when required.
What I'm Looking For
Experience & Expertise
You will bring:
15. Significant senior-level public sector procurement experience.
16. Strong knowledge of public sector procurement legislation.
17. Proven experience managing end-to-end tender processes and contract lifecycle management.
18. Experience leading strategic and cross-functional projects.
19. Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
20. Experience analysing procurement data and translating insight into strategy.
21. A track record of influencing senior stakeholders.
22. Experience managing and developing staff.
23. Knowledge of social value, sustainability and ethical supply chain standards.
24. Confidence using e-procurement systems and standard IT packages.
25. Strong report writing and presentation skills.
Qualifications
26. Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field (desirable).
27. CIPS LEVEL 5 or 6
28. Evidence of continued professional development.
29. PRINCE2 (Foundation or Practitioner) - desirable.
Personal Attributes
I'm looking for someone who:
30. Builds strong working relationships at all levels.
31. Is confident managing conflict and making difficult decisions.
32. Thinks strategically and analytically.
33. Is highly organised and detail-focused.
34. Communicates clearly and confidently to varied audiences.
35. Demonstrates integrity and professionalism.
36. Is proactive, resilient, and delivery-focused.
37. Champions continuous improvement and innovation.