Procurement Manager

Summary:

Procurement Manager needed for a high-performing multi-academy trust. Lead end-to-end procurement processes and drive commercial excellence.

About the School:

The school is dedicated to breaking the link between poverty and academic underperformance, ensuring all children excel regardless of background. It fosters a culture of excellence, collaboration, and shared ambition across its network of academies.

The Opportunity:

As a Procurement Manager, you will lead the trust’s procurement strategy, ensuring compliance with UK legislation and delivering value for money across all academies. This role is ideal for a commercially astute professional looking to make a significant impact on a large-scale, high-performing organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead compliant procurement processes for high-value goods and services.
• Develop and implement the trust’s procurement strategy, embedding innovation and sustainability.
• Manage the trust-wide contract register and ensure timely renewals and compliance.
• Provide expert commercial advice and training to internal stakeholders.
• Undertake procurement assurance, including internal audits and reporting to trustees.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and represent the trust in procurement networks.
• Ensure all procurement activity meets legal, regulatory, and internal governance standards.
• Support major commercial agreements and continuous improvement of procurement systems.

Qualifications & Skills:

Required

• Proven experience leading complex, high-value procurements from end-to-end.
• In-depth knowledge of public sector procurement, including frameworks, tendering, and contract management.
• Strong understanding of the Procurement Act 2023, DfE Buying for Schools guidance, and Academy Trust Handbook.
• Commercially astute with the ability to manage suppliers, contracts, and negotiations.
• Excellent organisational skills with a commitment to audit-ready standards.
• Ability to build strong internal and external relationships.

Preferred

• Experience in developing and implementing procurement strategies.
• Knowledge of sustainability and social value in procurement.
• Familiarity with procurement software and systems.
• Experience in training and providing guidance to procurement teams.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Membership of the local government pension scheme.
• Continued investment in professional development and career growth.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support.
• £2,000 Cycle to Work scheme.