Procurement Hub Operations Manager

Reading Borough Council; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at Reading Borough Council as a Procurement Hub Operations Manager. You'll oversee procurement operations, manage a team, and provide expert guidance on high-value projects. The role offers a supportive environment, flexible working, and a competitive salary with generous benefits.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

On-site day nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in procurement and category management.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational side of the Procurement Hub.
• Manage and develop a team of procurement professionals.
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Communication

Analytical Skills

Influencing

Education

Degree in relevant field

MCIPS/Level 6 qualification

Job description

Join a dynamic and forward-thinking team at Reading Council! Our Procurement & Contracts Hub operates as the governance service for commercial activity across the entire Council, dedicated to ensuring innovative and strategic procurement solutions are delivered. With a clear focus on efficiency, collaboration, and delivering value for money, we are driving change to improve outcomes for our residents and stakeholders.

The team has undergone a recent restructure meaning we have more time to focus on governance and pushing forwards on corporate procurement objectives to meet our Council Plan. Along with the new Act, we have our new governance model which was recently rolled out, plus an updated Social Value policy which we are starting to implement. Its a great time to join us if you are keen on supporting business improvement, change and best practice.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.

About The Role

As the Procurement Hub Operations Manager, you will lead the operational side of the Procurement Hub, tracking day-to-day project progress, overseeing e-sourcing software management, data analysis, transparency reporting, and key performance indicators for our team.

You will also act as the senior procurement category lead, providing expert technical guidance for high-value, high-risk projects within a given category/ categories of spend to procurement managers within departments.

In This Role, You Will

Manage and develop a team of procurement professionals, both directly under your responsibility and via matrix management, ensuring operational excellence in procurements undertaken and how contracts are managed across the organisation.

Champion the Councils Procurement Strategy and deliver strategic procurement initiatives to meet targets you define within your category strategy.

Provide expert advice to senior stakeholders and ensure compliance with regulations.

Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, tools, and systems.

Build strong relationships and foster collaboration across departments to influence change and ensure exemplary procurement activity.

Youll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, youll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Benefits

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance striving to be even better and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

About You

Our ideal candidate will have:

A degree or substantial experience in a relevant leadership role.

MCIPS/Level 6 qualification (or working towards it) or equivalent.

Proven experience in both procurement and category management with an outcome and value-driven approach.

Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.

Strong analytical, influencing, and leadership abilities.

The chance to make a real difference in delivering value for residents.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and youll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A Competitive Salary Alongside a Range Of Benefits Including

Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave

A wide range of flexible working opportunities

Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)

On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted

Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Emily Chomicz, Head of Procurement at

Closing Date: 26th May 2025

Interview Date: 4th and 6th June 2025

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident About Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.