Bus Franchising Programme - Procurement Lead

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional transportation authority is seeking a Bus Franchising Programme - Procurement Lead to shape the future of public transport in South Yorkshire. The role involves leading procurement activities, ensuring compliance with UK regulations, and developing strategies that align with organizational goals. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in procurement and public service, alongside the ability to make impactful decisions. This is a full-time, permanent position based in Sheffield, with hybrid working opportunities.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Enhanced Holiday Entitlement

Flexible Hours Scheme

Training on the job

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of UK procurement regulations and public sector procurement practices.
• Proven experience in a senior procurement leadership role, ideally within local or central government.
• Experience of complex transport procurement or similar experience of complex strategic procurement.

Responsibilities

• Leading SYMCA’s strategic bus services and franchising procurement activity.
• Developing and maintaining a forward-thinking procurement strategy.
• Providing expert guidance and support across SYMCA to improve procurement outcomes.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Commercial insight

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience

Full membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS)

Job description

Bus Franchising Programme - Procurement Lead

Application Deadline: 30 November 2025

Department: Resources & Investment

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Rebecca Brookes

Compensation: £65,966 - £71,091 / year

Description

• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: Grade 14 £65,966 - £71,091
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has officially committed to bringing bus services across the region back under public control, this landmark decision follows one of the largest public consultations on bus reform in UK history.

Under the new scheme, SYMCA will take ownership of bus depots and fleets, and assume responsibility for routes, timetables, fares, and service standards across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield. This shift aims to improve reliability and integration with other transport modes, and ensure profits are reinvested into the system for public benefit.

This is a key step toward building a fully integrated and accountable transport network in South Yorkshire.

Are you ready to shape the future of public transport in South Yorkshire?

Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role (please see role profile attached). Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal.

About the role

We’re looking for a commercially focused procurement leader to drive the transformation of bus services across our region.

As Bus Franchising Programme - Procurement Lead, you’ll be at the heart of one of the most ambitious transport programmes in the UK, helping to deliver a greener, fairer, and better-connected South Yorkshire.

This is a unique opportunity to lead the development and delivery of our franchising procurement strategy, ensuring it aligns with our wider organisational goals and delivers real value for our communities. You’ll bring commercial insight, strategic thinking, and a collaborative approach to help us build a procurement function that’s innovative, compliant, and future-ready.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading SYMCA’s strategic bus services and franchising procurement activity, ensuring full compliance with UK procurement regulations.
• Developing and maintaining a forward-thinking procurement strategy that supports organisational priorities.
• Providing expert guidance and support across SYMCA to improve procurement outcomes and value for money.
• Supporting the development of contract management approaches across departments.
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Implementing performance measurement processes to ensure an effective and responsive procurement service.
• Discharging statutory duties and contributing to wider organisational initiatives.

About you

You’re a strategic thinker with a passion for public service and a deep understanding of procurement in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. You thrive on challenge, bring people together, and know how to turn commercial insight into real-world impact.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• A degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience.
• Full membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS).
• Extensive knowledge of UK procurement regulations and public sector procurement practices.
• Proven experience in a senior procurement leadership role, ideally within local or central government.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
• A collaborative and resilient approach to leadership.
• Experience of complex transport procurement or similar experience of complex strategic procurement.

Benefits

All colleagues have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.

• Local Government Pension Scheme – A comprehensive and attractive pension scheme with the ability to be flexible in the number of contributions you pay in along with peace of mind from immediate life cover and terminal illness cover after 2 years.
• Continuous Employment – If you are currently employed by a Local Government employer, or any other employer under the Redundancy Modification Scheme, and do not have a break in service, your length of service can be transferred upon starting. This will apply to entitlement calculations including annual leave, maternity leave and enhanced sick pay.
• Enhanced Holiday Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro‑rata for part‑time colleagues.
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to your normal annual leave.
• Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
• Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi‑Scheme which allows office‑based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time‑off in the form of Flexi‑Leave or banked Annual Leave.
• Rewarding You – Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle‑to‑Work schemes.
• Training on the job – Support with upskilling skills through on-the-job training and qualifications.
• Professional Membership Fees – Where membership to Professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management.

Diversity at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority

Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief.

All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment as such all requests will be considered subject to operation requirements.

Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the Role Profile within their application, they will automatically be invited to interview.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please contact [e-mail] or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.