Job Description
4 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is seeking an experienced Procurement Manager to join the Corporate Finance and Procurement Team within Strategic Finance.
• The postholder will provide strategic procurement advice and commercial leadership across Council services, ensuring compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and best practice.
• This role plays a critical part in supporting the Council’s corporate priorities by delivering value for money contracts, driving innovation, and managing end-to-end procurement cycles across a variety of complex and high-value projects (typically £100K+).
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Provide strategic procurement guidance and expert advice to senior officers and directors to enable delivery of efficient, compliant, and high-quality contracts.
• Lead and manage procurement projects across diverse categories, ensuring all activity aligns with the Council’s corporate plan, procurement policy, and governance framework.
• Design and manage tender documentation, evaluation criteria, and procurement project plans from inception through to contract award.
• Research, benchmark, and implement innovative procurement solutions to drive value for money, sustainability, and social value outcomes.
• Advise on complex commercial and legislative risks while promoting effective supplier relationship management.
• Develop and maintain positive stakeholder relationships across services, ensuring early engagement to forecast procurement requirements.
• Monitor market trends and commercial factors to inform contract strategies and category management.
• Ensure compliance with Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs), Public Contracts Regulations, and Procurement Act 2023 (PA23).
• Support and influence continuous improvement initiatives within the Strategic Finance and Procurement team.
Skills/Experience:
• Proven experience managing multiple complex procurement projects within a large public sector organisation.
• Strong working knowledge of procurement management techniques, e-procurement systems, and contract management processes.
• In-depth understanding of Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act 2023, with the ability to ensure compliant and efficient procurement activity.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills at all levels, including engagement with senior officers and suppliers.
• Commercial acumen with the ability to analyse markets, identify opportunities, and deliver cost-effective solutions.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex issues clearly and persuasively.
• High level of organisation and problem-solving ability, with experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Office 365, including Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint.
Additional Information:
• Educated to degree level and/or MCIPS-qualified (or working towards).
• Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday–Friday, 9:00–17:30).
• Location: One Angel Square, Northampton – flexible hybrid working (minimum three days remote).
• Client: West Northamptonshire Council – Strategic Finance and Procurement.
• Reports to: Procurement Business Partner (People Services and Resources).
Requirements
• Proven experience managing multiple complex procurement projects within a large public sector organisation. • Strong working knowledge of procurement management techniques, e-procurement systems, and contract management processes. • In-depth understanding of Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act 2023, with the ability to ensure compliant and efficient procurement activity. • Excellent negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills at all levels, including engagement with senior officers and suppliers. • Commercial acumen with the ability to analyse markets, identify opportunities, and deliver cost-effective solutions. • Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex issues clearly and persuasively. • High level of organisation and problem-solving ability, with experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. • Proficiency in Office 365, including Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint.