Procurement & Assurance Lead
Watford Community Housing
Salary: £56,000 - £65,872 - 37 hours per week
The Vacancy
37 hours per week
Introduction to the role
At Watford Community Housing, we use customer feedback to shape the vital services we provide to help people live better lives. We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced procurement professional to join us at a time of important change. We are merging with Thrive Homes and have an opportunity for someone to lead procurement at Watford Community Housing - and in the new organisation following the merger - ensuring that it supports our strategic, value for money, social value, sustainability and ESG objectives.
Role purpose
To help us deliver high-quality customer services that improve residents' lives, you will:
* Lead all procurement activity across the organisation, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, internal policies and standing orders.
* Be the organisation's subject matter expert on procurement legislation, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 / Regulations 2024, ensuring changes are embedded into practice.
* Provide clear, authoritative procurement advice and assurance to Directors, Heads of Service and Budget Managers.
What's the role?
Key Accountabilities:
EndtoEnd Procurement Delivery
* Lead and oversee endtoend procurement exercises, including:
* Routetomarket advice and premarket engagement
* Preparation of tender documentation and evaluation methodologies
* Coordination and moderation of evaluation panels
* Due diligence, contract award and standstill processes
* Ensure appropriate use of frameworks, quotations, competitive tenders and compliant procurement routes to achieve best value.
* Support and challenge stakeholders to plan procurement activity effectively, ensuring sufficient leadin timescales.
Procurement Planning & Assurance
* Develop, maintain and oversee the organisation's multiyear procurement plan in collaboration with business leads, ensuring alignment with budgets and strategic priorities.
* Provide assurance that procurement activity is planned, documented and delivered in line with agreed timescales and governance requirements.
* Monitor compliance with procurement policies and procedures, identifying and addressing risks, issues and noncompliance.
Contract Management & Controls
* Provide guidance and assurance on effective contract management practices across the business.
* Maintain oversight of the Contracts Register, ensuring contracts are accurately recorded, stored and monitored.
* Support valueformoney reviews, extensions and variations, ensuring decisions are evidencebased and compliant.
* Hold stakeholders to account where procurement or contract management advice is not followed.
Stakeholder & Business Partnering
* Build strong working relationships with Directors, Heads of Service and operational teams, acting as a trusted procurement partner.
* Lead regular procurement and contracts review meetings with senior stakeholders to provide visibility of activity, risks and priorities.
* Develop and maintain an external network of procurement professionals and sector peers to share best practice and benchmarking.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement
* Produce and contribute to procurement reports for senior leadership and governance forums, providing insight into activity, performance and compliance.
* Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, documentation and controls, driving continuous improvement.
* Support internal and external audits by providing procurement assurance, evidence and recommendations.
What are we looking for?
* The ideal Candidate will demonstrate a track record of delivery against our key deliverables or a foundation on which can be built to fulfil the full brief.
* We are flexible in how you have achieved your skills and experience, through education or through worked experience.
* Your ability to role model our core behaviours is as important as technical expertise.
* You must be able to support a culture founded in trust and respect for everyone.
Essential:
* Significant experience in public sector or regulated environment procurement.
* Strong working knowledge of UK procurement legislation and best practice.
* Proven experience leading complex procurements and advising senior stakeholders.
* Ability to balance compliance, commerciality and organisational priorities.
* Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.
Desirable:
* MCIPS (or working towards) or equivalent professional qualification.
* Experience of procurement within housing, local government or regulated sectors.
* Experience of embedding new procurement legislation or policy changes.
Who you'll work with
* Responsible to: Assistant Director of Finance
* Responsible for: Procurement and Insurance Coordinator, Procurement and Supply Assistant Apprentice
* Department: Finance
Our values
* Professional - We are honest, open and respectful. People trust us to keep our promises.
* Forward-thinking - We have a can-do attitude and embrace opportunities to improve and innovate.
* Collaborative - We work together as one team and build lasting partnerships to get results.
What can we offer you?
* 28 days' annual leave (pro rata)
* Employer pension contribution of up to 11%
* Development opportunities
* Comprehensive employee rewards scheme
How we work
We embrace agile working - blending time in our communities, shared spaces, and remote working. With digital technology at the heart of our approach, we empower teams and individuals to work flexibly.
How to apply
If this sounds like your next role, click 'apply now', tell us why you've got what it takes, and attach a copy of your current CV.
Closing date: 10 April 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 20 April 2026
(Please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a large response.)