Head of Procurement

Northumbria University; North East; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Northumbria University seeks a Head of Procurement to drive transformation in procurement processes. You will lead a dynamic team, develop innovative strategies while aligning with the University's vision and financial goals. The position requires strong procurement standards knowledge and people management skills.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Generous holiday entitlement

Excellent pension schemes

Qualifications

• Experience in senior procurement roles within large organizations.
• CIPS qualified or part qualified preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and build strong stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction of procurement and purchasing activities.
• Develop and implement innovative category management practices.
• Head a collaborative Procurement team within the Finance division.

Skills

People Management

Relationship Building

Procurement Standards Knowledge

Prioritization

Effective Communication

Education

CIPS Qualification

Experience in a large organization

Job description

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Job Description

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is your chance to make a real impact and drive transformation in procurement. As our Head of Procurement, you will be at the helm of shaping the strategy and direction of all procurement and purchasing activities. You will lead the way in developing innovative category management practices, seamlessly integrating them across the Finance Service and the broader University community. Your efforts will directly support the University's vision, ensuring alignment with both the strategic goals and the Medium Term Financial Plan.

Further information is available in the job description.

ABOUT THE TEAM

You will head up a dynamic and collaborative Procurement team that's part of the wider University's Finance division. Our talented Category Managers, Procurement Specialists, and Buyers work together to deliver high-impact strategies and provide exceptional service across the University.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in the role you will have:

• Proven experience operating at a senior level within a large, complex organisation, driving high-performing procurement services.
• In-depth knowledge of current procurement standards and regulations.
• A natural ability to build strong, trusted relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong track record of people management, particularly in a matrix structure.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively and convey specialist information to others.
• You will be CIPS qualified or part qualified.

Further information is available in the person specification.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact [e-mail]

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.

We welcome applications from the UK and across the world. Visit our web pages for details about Relocation Assistance.

ABOUT US

Join Northumbria University, a research-intensive institution unlocking potential and changing lives locally and globally. Named Times Higher Education's University of the Year in 2022 and Modern University of the Year in 2025, we rank top 25 in the UK for research power. Discover more about us.

With over 37,000 students from 140+ countries, we offer world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and an outstanding student experience. We empower our exceptional staff, promoting a positive work-life balance and offering great benefits, including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, generous holiday entitlement and more.

Our Northumbria Values, co-created by our team, define who we are: Academic Excellence, Innovation, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Ambition. Our Behaviours shape our work culture: We listen and learn, support one another, respect everyone, trust each other, and are bold.

Located in Newcastle upon Tyne and London, we are an on-campus organisation with flexibility in hours and location. We pride ourselves on diversity and inclusivity, holding numerous awards for gender and race equality, disability confidence, and research excellence. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers. The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.

Apply now and join a community committed to transforming society and the economy. Explore "Our Exceptional People, Our Values and Behaviours" page to learn more about our commitments and see our Privacy Policy for further details.