Associate Sourcing Lead

Birmingham City Council; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

LGPS pension

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Birmingham City Council is seeking an Associate Sourcing Lead to join our newly established Sourcing Team. The position is permanent, 36.5 hours per week, with flexible hybrid working.

You will lead strategic procurement, develop sourcing strategies, and provide expert advice to internal stakeholders and suppliers. The successful candidate will drive value for money, ensure governance, and mentor a procurement team while pursuing professional development, including the potential to attain a

Qualifications

• Experience developing procurement strategies and leading sourcing activities within a regulated environment.
• In-depth knowledge of procurement legislation, governance and commercial best practice.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and partners.
• Strong analytical skills using supplier performance and data to drive sourcing decisions.
• Experience using procurement systems and digital tools to improve delivery.
• Proven capability to lead, motivate and develop a high-performing team.
• Willingness to pursue Level 5 CIPS Diploma if not already achieved.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement and sourcing projects delivering value for money.
• Provide expert procurement advice to internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Use performance data and market intelligence to identify opportunities.
• Drive continuous improvement and promote procurement systems adoption.
• Develop procurement guidance, toolkits and best practice resources.
• Ensure activity complies with governance and legislation.
• Coach and develop team members to build capability.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Leadership

Stakeholder relations

Data analytics

Procurement systems

Digital tools

AI in procurement

Education

Level 5 CIPS Diploma

Job description

Grade D - £45,091 – £53,460

Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Equal Pay Programme

Working 36.5 hours per week

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Lead strategic sourcing that delivers value for Birmingham

Are you an experienced procurement professional ready to take the next step in your career? Birmingham City Council is recruiting two Associate Sourcing Leads to join our newly established Sourcing Team.

Permanent

About The Role

As an Associate Sourcing Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering strategic procurement by:

• Leading procurement and sourcing projects, developing innovative sourcing strategies that deliver value for money and meet organisational priorities.
• Providing expert procurement advice to internal stakeholders and suppliers, building trusted relationships across the Council and wider market.
• Using supplier performance, commercial data and market intelligence to identify opportunities for improvement, innovation and risk mitigation.
• Driving continuous improvement by promoting the effective use of procurement systems, technology and AI to enhance procurement practice.
• Developing procurement guidance, toolkits and best practice resources while maintaining high-quality communications across digital platforms.
• Ensuring procurement activity is delivered in accordance with legislative, governance and assurance requirements.
• Leading, coaching and developing a team of procurement professionals, supporting performance, capability building and continuous professional development.

About You

We're looking for a commercially focused procurement professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for delivering excellent outcomes. You'll bring:

• Experience developing procurement strategies and delivering sourcing activity across the full procurement lifecycle within a regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of procurement legislation, governance and commercial best practice, with an understanding of delivering value for money.
• Experience building effective relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and partners, providing trusted commercial advice.
• Strong analytical skills, using supplier performance and commercial data to inform sourcing decisions and continuous improvement.
• Experience using procurement systems, technology and digital tools to improve procurement delivery.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop colleagues, creating a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• A commitment to continuous professional development, with a willingness to work towards a Level 5 CIPS Diploma if not already achieved.

Why Join Us?

At Birmingham City Council, You'll Join a Modern Commercial And Procurement Service At The Forefront Of Transforming Procurement Across One Of Europe's Largest Local Authorities. In Return, We Offer

• The opportunity to lead strategic sourcing projects that deliver lasting value for Birmingham's residents and communities.
• A collaborative and ambitious team environment where innovation, commercial excellence and continuous improvement are encouraged.
• Opportunities to develop your leadership, commercial and strategic procurement expertise through ongoing professional development.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities where service needs allow.
• A competitive Local Government Pension Scheme and generous annual leave entitlement.
• Access to a wide range of employee wellbeing initiatives and staff benefits.
• A rewarding career where you'll help shape ethical, innovative and value-driven procurement that supports the Council's long-term ambitions.

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.

We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Job Description and Person Specification - RM-00137270-Associate Sourcing Lead-Job Description.pdf