Interim Procurement Lead - HR & Contingent Labour

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

Job summary

Cedar is seeking an experienced Procurement Lead to join on an initial 9-month contract, focusing on Contingent Labour and Talent Acquisition Services. The role will involve shaping how the organisation accesses external talent, partnering with senior stakeholders across HR, Legal, Finance and Procurement to deliver strategic sourcing solutions.

Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in strategic sourcing and procurement within contingent workforce and recruitment services, with strong

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management at a senior level.
• Strong experience in contingent labour, temporary workforce, or recruitment services procurement.
• Proven ability to manage MSPs, staffing suppliers, RPO providers, and recruitment partners.
• Demonstrated track record in end-to-end sourcing projects and negotiations.
• Excellent stakeholder management and ability to influence senior leaders.

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 search partners.
• Lead RFx projects, supplier evaluations, and contract negotiations.
• Develop sourcing strategies across geographies and drive cost savings.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Procurement

Category Management

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation

MSP management

RPO partnerships

Tools

Coupa

Icertis

VMS platforms

Job description

Rate: Up to £600 per dayContract: 9 monthsLocation: Hybrid workingIR35 Status: Inside IR35

The Opportunity

Procurement & Sourcing Lead - Contingent Labour & HR/Talent

Rate: Up to £600 per dayContract: 9 monthsLocation: Hybrid workingIR35 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

Interested?

If you are an experienced Strategic Sourcing or Procurement professional with a strong background in Contingent Labour and Talent Acquisition Services, and are available for your next contract opportunity, we would love to hear from you.