Interim Head of Procurement

Opus People Solutions Ltd; Leeds; On-site; GBP 118,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

North West Local Authority seeks an experienced Interim Head of Procurement to provide strategic leadership and oversee its procurement function during transformation.

The role requires strong governance, value-for-money delivery, and compliance with Procurement Act 2023. You will direct teams, shape commercial strategies, and manage high-value projects across multiple service areas.

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level procurement leadership experience within Local Government or the public sector.
• Strong knowledge of public procurement legislation and best practice.
• Demonstrable experience managing large-scale, complex procurement programmes.

Responsibilities

• Leading and managing the procurement and commissioning teams.
• Providing strategic procurement advice to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Driving procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensuring compliance with procurement regulations.
• Developing commercial strategies delivering efficiency savings and social value.
• Managing complex, high-value procurement projects across service areas.
• Strengthening supplier relationships, contract management and governance.

Skills

Senior procurement leadership

Public sector procurement

Strategic planning

Job description

Job Description

Interim Head of Procurement

North West Local Authority - £750 per day (Inside IR35) Immediate Start Initial 3-Month Contract

A North West Local Authority is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Procurement to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of its procurement and commercial function during a period of change and transformation.

This is a high-profile appointment requiring an accomplished procurement leader with a proven track record within the public sector, capable of delivering commercial excellence, governance compliance, and value for money across a diverse portfolio of spend.

The Role

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Resources, the Interim Head of Procurement will lead the council's procurement function, ensuring effective commercial management and compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing the procurement and commissioning teams.
• Providing strategic procurement advice to senior leadership, elected members, and key stakeholders.
• Driving procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and wider public sector procurement regulations.
• Developing and implementing commercial strategies that deliver efficiency savings and social value outcomes.
• Managing complex, high-value procurement projects across multiple service areas.
• Strengthening supplier relationships, contract management, and governance arrangements.
• Supporting wider organisational change programmes and budget delivery objectives.

The Candidate

We are seeking a commercially astute procurement professional who can make an immediate impact.

You will have:

• Significant senior-level procurement leadership experience within Local Government or the wider public sector.
• Strong knowledge of public procurement legislation and best practice.
• Demonstrable experience managing large-scale, complex procurement programmes.