Interim Procurement Lead – HR & Contingent Labour

Cedar Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 96,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Cedar Recruitment is seeking a Procurement & Sourcing Lead for Contingent Labour & HR/Talent on an initial 9-month contract. The role focuses on shaping external talent access, partnering with senior stakeholders across HR, Talent Acquisition, Legal, Finance and Procurement to deliver strategic sourcing solutions.

The successful candidate will lead category management for Temporary Labour and Talent Acquisition Services, drive supplier relationships across MSPs and agencies, and manage

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic sourcing, procurement or category management at a senior level.
• Strong experience in contingent labour, temporary workforce or recruitment services procurement.
• Experience managing MSPs, staffing suppliers, RPO providers and executive search partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead category management and sourcing strategies across temporary labour and talent acquisition services.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships including MSPs, staffing agencies, RPO providers and recruitment partners.
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing projects, including RFx processes, supplier evaluations and contract negotiations.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies across geographies aligned with workforce requirements.
• Drive cost savings and continuous improvement in supplier performance.
• Lead governance meetings and executive reviews with suppliers.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Category Management

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation

Procurement Systems

Tools

Coupa

Icertis

Job description

Procurement & Sourcing Lead – Contingent Labour & HR/Talent

Rate: Up to £600 per day
Contract: 9 months
Location: Hybrid working
IR35 Status: Inside IR35

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Procurement Lead to join a leading global organisation on an initial 9-month contract.

This is a high-profile, enterprise-wide role responsible for developing and delivering strategic sourcing solutions across Contingent Labour and Talent Acquisition Services.

You will play a key role in shaping how the organisation accesses external talent, working closely with senior business stakeholders, HR, Talent Acquisition, Legal, Finance and Procurement teams to develop effective workforce strategies and optimise supplier relationships.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused procurement professional with strong experience across contingent workforce, recruitment services and strategic category management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead category management and sourcing strategies across Temporary Labour and Talent Acquisition Services.

• Manage strategic supplier relationships, including MSPs, staffing agencies, RPO providers, executive search and recruitment partners.

• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing projects, including RFx processes, supplier evaluations, commercial analysis and contract negotiations.

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies aligned with business and workforce requirements across multiple geographies.

• Drive cost savings, commercial value and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Manage supplier performance, governance meetings, executive business reviews and improvement plans.

• Lead complex commercial negotiations covering MSAs, SOWs, renewals, pricing and service-level agreements.

• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing decisions and driving procurement strategies.

• Conduct market research, supplier benchmarking and pricing analysis to identify opportunities and mitigate risk.

• Support improvements to workforce management processes, systems and operating models.

• Provide additional sourcing support across consulting services and wider professional services categories where required.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement or Category Management at a senior level.

• Strong experience within Contingent Labour, Temporary Workforce or Recruitment Services procurement.

• Experience managing MSPs, staffing suppliers, RPO providers, executive search and contingent recruitment solutions.

• Demonstrable experience leading complex sourcing projects and commercial negotiations.

• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and engage senior business leaders.

• Experience developing category strategies, delivering cost savings and driving supplier performance.

• Strong commercial, analytical and project management capabilities.

• Experience working across multiple geographies, particularly the UK and US markets.

• Experience within regulated environments; pharmaceutical or life sciences experience would be advantageous.

• Knowledge of VMS platforms and procurement systems such as Coupa and Icertis would be beneficial.

Desirable Experience

• Consulting services and Statement of Work (SOW) procurement.

• Broader HR and recruitment services sourcing within Pharma

• Extended workforce solutions and FMS models.

• CCWP or relevant contingent workforce management certification.

Contract Details

• Day Rate: Up to £600 per day

• Duration: 9-month contract

• IR35: Inside IR35

• Working Pattern: Hybrid