Overview
Join Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC), a charity-owned organisation supporting over 10,000 education institutions across the United Kingdom. We help schools, academies, colleges and universities achieve outstanding value for money, ensuring every pound spent benefits students and their learning environments. CPC is a certified Great Place to Work and is driven by the further education sector.
The role
As Procurement Manager within our Contracting Team, you will lead the delivery of high-quality, fully compliant procurement solutions across your category area, primarily for estates, facilities and construction related frameworks, DPS and dynamic marketplaces. You will shape and manage a portfolio of framework agreements and dynamic markets that help our members source goods, works and services simply, compliantly and effectively under the Procurement Act 2023.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the full end‑to‑end procurement cycle for a range of categories.
* Develop business plans, conduct market engagement and manage competitive tender processes.
* Build and maintain effective relationships with members, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
* Oversee performance of frameworks and dynamic markets, driving quality and value.
* Manage, mentor and support Contract Managers, Senior Procurement Officers and Procurement Officers within your category.
* Ensure all processes and documentation meet public sector procurement legislation and CPC’s high standards.
About you
We’re looking for a procurement professional with strong expertise, commercial thinking and a collaborative mindset. You will have:
* Significant experience in public sector procurement.
* A solid understanding of UK procurement legislation, especially the Procurement Act 2023.
* Broad category knowledge, particularly estates, facilities and construction, and experience delivering high-performing commercial agreements.
* Confidence managing stakeholders and leading a small category team.
* Proven ability to deliver value, quality outcomes and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
* MCIPS (or working towards it) is highly desirable; equivalent experience will also be considered.
* A proactive procurement professional who enjoys autonomy, leading people and delivering meaningful outcomes.
Salary and Benefits
* Salary up to £50,000‑£55,000 FTE per annum, depending on experience.
* Generous discretionary bonuses up to £3,500 following successful probation.
* Flexible, agile working patterns – 2 days at the Head Office and 3 days from home, with free parking at head office.
* Access to a local government pension scheme, including death‑in‑service and ill health.
* Support for professional development and MCIPS attainment.
* 38 days holiday (including 3 days additional leave for Christmas closure and bank holidays).
* Time off for volunteering opportunities.
* Enhanced leave packages: paid sickness, carers leave, bereavement and compassionate leave, maternity pay.
* Wellbeing support: access to 8 mental health first aiders and an Employee Assistance Programme.
* Involvement in working groups such as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Wellbeing and Sustainability.
* Employee support networks: Women’s, Men’s and Carer groups.
* Social and employee events throughout summer and Christmas.
* Community “giving back” programmes.
* Travel expenses paid for any required travel outside your contracted place of work.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply is Sunday 11th January 2026.
Next Steps
The interview process will consist of a panel-based Q&A focused on the specific requirements and skills for the Procurement Manager vacancy. We may close the vacancy early if we receive many applications.
Additional information
VISA sponsorship is not offered for this role. We are a disability confident employer and can provide adjustments to support your application, such as different formats or accessibility accommodations. Please contact peopledevelopment@thecpc.ac.uk for assistance.
As an equal opportunities employer, Crescent Purchasing Consortium is committed to equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and disallows discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.
Position details
* Seniority level: Mid‑Senior.
* Employment type: Full‑time.
* Job function: Purchasing and Management.
* Industries: Education and Non‑profit Organizations.
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