Contract | Civic Recruitment Limited | United Kingdom
Posted On 19/03/2026
Job Information
Work Experience 4-5 years
Interim & Executive Management
City Islington
Province Islington
Postal Code EC1P
Job Description
3 month contract role with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
* Interim Procurement and Strategic Category Lead for London Borough of Islington within the Community Wealth Building directorate.
* Responsible for leading strategic procurement and category management activity across key service areas, driving value for money, social value, and commercial outcomes.
* Provides expert advice to senior stakeholders and leads complex procurement programmes, ensuring compliance with legislation and council governance frameworks.
* Plays a key leadership role in shaping procurement strategy, delivering savings, and supporting inclusive economic growth.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
* Lead category strategies, procurement pipelines, and action plans across multiple service areas.
* Provide expert procurement and commercial advice to Directors, senior leaders, and cross‑organisational boards.
* Manage and develop a team of procurement professionals (up to 6 direct reports).
* Oversee complex, high‑value procurement exercises and contract management activity.
* Ensure compliance with procurement legislation, governance, and policy frameworks.
* Drive value for money, cost savings, and income generation through strategic sourcing.
* Lead stakeholder engagement across internal teams (Finance, Legal, Audit) and external partners (NHS, local authorities, anchor institutions).
* Support development of business cases, tender documentation, and procurement strategies.
* Manage procurement risks, ensuring mitigation strategies are in place.
* Promote social value, sustainability, and community wealth building through procurement activity.
* Lead transformation and continuous improvement initiatives within procurement and category management.
* Deputise for the Head of Strategic Procurement and Category Management when required.
Skills/Experience:
* Extensive experience in strategic procurement and category management within the public sector.
* Strong knowledge of UK procurement legislation, policy, and governance frameworks.
* Demonstrable experience delivering complex procurement projects and programmes.
* Experience managing and leading high‑performing procurement teams.
* Strong commercial acumen, with experience delivering cost savings and value for money.
* Experience working with senior stakeholders, including Directors and elected Members.
* Knowledge of category areas such as corporate services, housing, environment, health, or digital.
* Experience in contract management, supplier engagement, and market shaping.
* Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
* Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Ideally MCIPS qualified or working towards CIPS accreditation.
* Experience embedding social value, sustainability, and community wealth building initiatives.
Additional Information:
* Location: Town Hall, Islington (Hybrid – minimum 1 day on‑site).
* Reports to: Head of Strategic Procurement & Category Management.
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