Directorate: Resources Salary: £47,181-£52,413 (with a Market Factor Supplement of £7,587 attached)
Grade: F17
Reports to: Head of Procurement
Team: 2 direct reports
Organisation: East Midlands Combined County Authority
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Procurement Business Partner to play a key strategic role within our procurement function. You will act as the primary liaison between the procurement team and internal stakeholders, ensuring procurement activity delivers value for money, complies with legislation, and directly supports organisational priorities.
This role sits at the heart of a modern, commercially focused public sector procurement function—driving innovation, strengthening supplier relationships, and improving outcomes across a diverse portfolio of services.
Candidates will be expected to hold Level 5 CIPS (minimum) and be working towards Level 6, demonstrating strong commitment to professional development in procurement and supply.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the development and delivery of category, sourcing, and contract management strategies aligned with organisational priorities
* Develop and maintain category plans, procurement pipelines, and supporting business cases
* Undertake strategic market analysis to inform sourcing decisions and identify innovation and savings opportunities
* Provide expert procurement and commercial advice to senior stakeholders and contract leads
* Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and market partners to influence service development
* Ensure robust application of procurement policy, legislation, and governance, including the Procurement Act 2023
* Lead negotiations, risk assessments, and contract development in partnership with Legal and Finance teams
* Oversee procurement compliance and drive continuous improvement across services
* Support effective contract management and performance monitoring arrangements
* Produce high-quality reports, briefings, and recommendations for senior leadership
* Contribute to audit, risk management, and organisational assurance activity
* Manage, develop, and support staff, and deputise for the Head of Procurement when required
About You
We are looking for a confident, commercially astute procurement professional with:
* Significant senior-level experience in public sector procurement
* Strong knowledge of procurement legislation, governance, and best practice
* Proven experience across the full procurement and contract lifecycle
* Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills, delivering value for money outcomes
* Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior levels
* Experience leading complex procurement projects and cross-functional teams
* Strong analytical ability to interpret procurement data and inform strategy
* Demonstrable people management and change leadership experience
* A strong commitment to ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible procurement
Qualifications & Professional Requirements
* Level 5 CIPS (minimum)
* Working towards Level 6 CIPS Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply (MCIPS)
* Evidence of continuing professional development (desirable)
* PRINCE2 Foundation or Practitioner (desirable)
Personal Attributes
You will align with a values-led culture and demonstrate the ability to:
* Deliver outcomes that benefit the wider region
* Build strong collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholders
* Turn strategic thinking into practical delivery within constrained resources
* Communicate clearly, influence effectively, and challenge constructively
* Work with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to public value
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