Associate Procurement Director

NHS; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 79,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

A national healthcare provider is seeking an Associate Procurement Director to provide leadership and strategic direction for procurement services. This role is pivotal for managing procurement activities across two Trusts, focusing on long-term strategies and supplier relationships. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in procurement and team management, aiming to drive value and innovation in a public sector context.

Benefits

Flexible working

Excellent health and wellbeing support

Career development opportunities

Free parking

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in procurement, including at least 2 years in senior management.
• Experience in building and developing effective teams.
• Experience of developing partnerships for complex procurements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the integrated procurement function across both Trusts.
• Devise and implement a joint procurement strategy.
• Provide expert advice on UK procurement regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

People management

Communication

Commercial acumen

Education

MCIPS professional qualification or studying towards this

Job description

Associate Procurement Director

The closing date is 07 December 2025.

This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your strategy and procurement skills to deliver better outcomes for the NHS.

We are looking for an inspirational leader to develop and manage the Integrated Procurement Service (IPS) team across both Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP) and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT).

The role is pivotal across both Trusts, requiring joint strategic direction and collaboration, whilst appreciating the autonomy of each organisation.

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic individual wanting to make a positive difference in the NHS. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate excellent personal skills, extensive experience and enthusiasm for procurement, a strong people‑focused approach, broad commercial acumen, and be a good communicator.

Main duties of the job

The role will include developing a long‑term procurement strategy, along with an annual workplan to deliver value and savings, collaborative procurement solutions, drive innovation and supplier relationships.

You will be accountable for all procurement activity and governance across all non‑pay spend areas, responsible for demonstrating the value delivered to each Trust.

You will work autonomously, manage and support people to achieve their potential, have a strong customer focus, and will be an active participant across both organisations, working with senior stakeholders up to Executive level.

Skills, experience, and a passion for this subject area are essential, together with a need for strong practical implementation experience.

The role will be based at SABP HQ in Leatherhead and will require travel across any locations of both SABP and SPFT. Travel across the Southeast, London and nationally may also be required.

About us

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.

We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trusts to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.

Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.

Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the role.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Job responsibilities

Job Overview

The Associate Procurement Director will provide inspirational leadership and direction to the Procurement teams across both Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS FT (SABP) and Sussex Partnership NHS FT (SPT). This is a pivotal post across both Trusts with responsibility for the strategic development and management of non‑pay spend across the organisations, developing long‑term procurement strategies, policies and work plans. You will be an experienced and effective manager, the principal expert in all procurement related matters and lead across all departments and directorates in relation to all relevant procurement rules and best practice.

Suitable for someone who

Is commercially astute and has the capability and drive to provide inspirational leadership and management to the Procurement Teams across two organisations. You will work autonomously, enjoy managing and supporting people to achieve their potential, have a strong customer focus, and will be an active participant across both organisations.

Key Responsibilities of the role are:

• Lead and manage the delivery of an effective integrated procurement function across Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
• Devise, implement and continually review a joint procurement strategy to ensure innovation and improved value for money from non‑pay expenditure across both SABP and SPT.
• Produce an annual joint procurement work plan, which is consistent and integrated with the procurement strategy and business objectives of both SABP and SPT.
• Develop and maintain procurement policy and guidance documents for both SABP and SPT.
• Lead on complex procurements covering a broad range of commodities and providing strategic advice to Senior Management and Divisional Leads across SABP and SPT.
• Evaluate cost‑saving opportunities using benchmarking and re‑negotiation, re‑engineering and volume leverage.
• Collaborate effectively with other collaborative procurement organisations and NHS Trusts on contracting opportunities.
• Provide expert technical advice and knowledge on UK procurement regulations to ensure all Trust procurement activities are in accordance with the Trusts policies and procedures, Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and all current legislation.
• Lead cross‑functional and across‑Trust teams on major procurement projects, coordinating, planning and monitoring all project work.
• Review national policy and procurement practice, recommend changes and lead on change management.
• Prepare appropriate tender documentation (specifications and terms and conditions of contract), undertake option appraisals and evaluation of tenders and award contracts.
• Ensure effective contract management arrangements are in place for both SABP and SPT.
• Continually assess and develop internal controls to ensure compliance with regulatory and legislative requirements.
• Ensure processes and procedures support current systems so financial transactions are accurately and promptly recorded and information produced is reliable for decision making.
• Plan, review and prioritise the work of both SABP and SPT Procurement teams to ensure each Trust’s priorities are met and responsibilities are appropriately allocated. Set the culture and personal development priorities for the integrated team, creating an environment for the team to excel, and ensure effective management is in place.
• Ensure all staff understand and comply with the Trusts Standing Financial Instructions, financial procedures and other financial matters, providing guidance on the application and development of these policies.
• Conduct performance reviews and objective setting for all team members annually, providing feedback at regular intervals throughout the year.
• Manage the performance of the integrated procurement function, applying Trust policies and procedures, identifying and providing relevant training, encouraging and motivating staff to achieve full potential.
• Ensure subordinate staff are aware of and comply with Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and Trust Financial and Personnel Policies and Procedures, providing consistent and financially sound advice to budget managers.
• Evolve a climate that recognises and rewards achievement, challenges underperformance through excellent management, communication and engagement with the team.
• Provide opportunities for personal development for all team members to maximise individual potential and develop and maintain staff competence to meet current and future needs of the Trust.
• Constantly challenge the team to aspire to demanding goals and build desire and passion to excel.
• Work flexibly and cooperatively with other finance colleagues to ensure the finance service covers its entire responsibility and meets the needs of the Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• MCIPS professional qualification or studying towards this.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in procurement, including at least 2 years at a senior management level in public/healthcare or commercial sectors, with team management responsibility.
• Experience of developing partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver robust and complex procurements compliant with UK Procurement Regulations.
• Experience of leading procurement projects to a successful conclusion.
• Experience of building and developing highly effective teams including excellent people management skills.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Address

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – Mole Business Park, 18, off Ronson Way, Randalls Rd.

£79,163 to £90,880 a year, incl. 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full‑time

Reference number

325-7619287-CORP

Job locations

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – Mole Business Park, 18, off Ronson Way, Randalls Rd.