Head of Procurement
Location: Stevenage. Contract: Permanent. Hours: 37 per week.
Salary: £72,268 per annum, progressing to £80,062.
Directorate: Resources. Reporting to the Director of Finance and part of the Finance Department leadership team.
About the Team
Lead a high performing procurement team that provides strategic advice and tender management services to all departments within Hertfordshire County Council. The team is the Council’s strategic centre of excellence for procurement, offering advice on procurement and commissioning activities for all departments, detailed technical support for above UK threshold tenders, and advice on national frameworks and quotation procedures. You will act as a strategic adviser to major procurements and support development of commercial, procurement and contract management skills.
Responsibilities
* Ensure quality advice to new procurements, support negotiations with suppliers, and champion a commercial approach.
* Develop and maintain a corporate procurement strategy, defining ambitions in local economic development, social value, and sustainability.
* Maintain and improve council’s contract regulations, ensuring compliance with UK procurement legislation and transparency notices.
* Promote best practice procurement across the council and support development of commercial, procurement and contract management skills.
* Work with senior colleagues to ensure effective management of council’s contract spend and use systems such as eTendering, data analysis, data transparency and financial risk management.
* Represent the council at local, regional and national level, promote Hertfordshire, and bring national good practice back to the council.
* Represent the council during the transition period of the local government reorganisation process, collaborating with district and borough procurement colleagues.
* Lead and manage this service, providing inspirational leadership and contributing to broader strategic objectives.
About You – Essential Skills
* Degree level education with a recognised professional qualification such as CIPS Level 6, or equivalent.
* Proven leader in public sector procurement with understanding of relevant procurement legislation.
* Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and motivate staff and to drive and implement best practice.
* Capability to translate strategic business objectives into targeted projects and deliverables, focusing on savings from third‑party spend.
* Skills to build effective teams and relationships, support others in achieving personal and organisational goals.
* Excellent communication skills – clear, concise oral and written, with active listening and responsiveness to feedback.
* Experience in developing and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external partners, including local government reorganisation.
* Encouragement of innovative approaches and use of technology such as AI to improve cost effectiveness and quality.
Desirable
* Broad knowledge of local government and health service priorities and delivery models.
* Experience developing strong personal professional networks.
* Budget management experience.
Legal and Equality Information
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time. This role requires a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We are a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to any applicant disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
To apply, upload your most recent CV and include supporting examples of relevant skills and experiences. A short covering paragraph may be included.
Interview Date: 9th December 2025.
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