Procurement Manager (Category Lead) (Public Sector)
Hybrid: 3 Days In
Location: North London
Rate: £450 - £500p/d Umbrella
Local Government / Public Sector Experience Essential (CIPS Also Essential)
Job Purpose
To develop and maintain a forward procurement plan for the assigned category or categories. To act as the subject matter expert in procurement, providing strategic and operational guidance that ensures outcomes are delivered effectively and resources are used to best effect.
The role is responsible for leading and owning category strategies that deliver both commercial and social outcomes, including financial savings, enhanced service quality, social value, and environmental benefits.
The postholder will conduct end-to-end procurements within the agreed scope, ensuring compliance with relevant procurement rules and legislation, while building and maintaining strategic stakeholder relationships. They will also contribute to supplier relationship management, market development, and provider engagement to ensure a healthy, competitive, and sustainable supply base.
Key Accountabilities
* Take ownership of the procurement of goods/services across designated categories, using approaches including negotiation, formal procurement, partnership development, enabling, and regulation.
* Produce procurement documentation, contracts, and service level agreements, in partnership with legal colleagues where required, to deliver improved outcomes.
* Ensure procurement strategies reflect organisational priorities and are underpinned by a clear understanding of policy, service delivery needs, and cross-cutting opportunities.
* Lead and translate category strategies into clear and achievable procurement plans in collaboration with commissioners and stakeholders.
* Provide expert procurement advice, updates on legislation and best practice, and support governance processes (e.g. Procurement Boards or equivalent).
* Promote a strategic approach to value for money, quality, demand management, and innovation in service delivery.
* Ensure contracts and agreements deliver against organisational priorities and measurable outcomes.
* Lead on strategic reviews of categories, resulting in effective service solutions.
* Support the achievement of social value objectives and environmental sustainability within procurement activities.
* Act as a single point of contact for providers, leading market engagement, supplier forums, and open-day style events to stimulate innovation and competition.
* Review and recommend procurement routes and models, challenging historic approaches and encouraging innovation.
* Undertake other duties commensurate with the role.
General Responsibilities
* Deliver assigned projects on time, within budget, and to the expected standard.
* Ensure procurement and financial activity is accurately recorded using the appropriate finance, e-procurement, or contract management tools.
* Provide accessible, customer-focused services, maintaining clear communication and resolving queries within service standards.
* Oversee personal training needs and recommend wider team development where appropriate.
* Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, organisational policies, financial regulations, data protection, equality, diversity, and health & safety requirements.
* Maintain high standards of records management and information security.
* Actively contribute to the development of a high-quality procurement service.
* Take responsibility for own professional development and participate in training activities.