Procurement Manager

Outcomes First Group; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider in Bolton is seeking a Procurement Manager to oversee the procurement function across various categories. This role offers a hybrid working model with 2 days in the office and competitive salary up to £45,000 per annum. The ideal candidate will have proven procurement management experience and strong negotiation skills. Join our mission to empower every child with exceptional education.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Family Growth Support

Flexible Benefits Platform

Qualifications

• Proven experience in procurement management, ideally within education, healthcare, or multi-site operations.
• Strong understanding of compliance frameworks, quality assurance, and sustainability requirements in procurement.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement function across multiple categories including infrastructure and operational resources.
• Manage and develop the procurement team, ensuring high performance.
• Negotiate supplier contracts, ensuring favorable terms and value for money.

Skills

Procurement management

Negotiation skills

Compliance frameworks

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Job description

We’re reimagining work/life balance – and you could be part of it.

At OFG, we're proud to be part of the 4-Day Working Week trial – a bold step toward giving our teams more time to recharge, refresh, and enjoy life outside of work.

That means you could be working 80% of your usual hours, while still earning 100% of your pay.

If the trial proves successful, we’ll roll out the 4DWW across the Group – making now the perfect time to join #TeamOFG and help shape the future of work.

Job Title: Procurement Manager

Location: Bolton (Hybrid working 2 days in the office)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri 9-5

Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)

About Us

At Outcomes First Group, we believe every child can thrive when given the right environment for success. As one of the world’s leading providers in our sector, we deliver exceptional, research-led education tailored to each individual, with smaller class sizes and personalised learning plans.

Our vision is to empower every child with a world-class education that nurtures potential and inspires lifelong learning. Our mission is to unlock that potential through personalised learning and opportunity. And our promise is simple: we listen, we work together, and we are accountable to one another to make the remarkable happen.

The Role:

As Procurement Manager, you will lead the procurement function across multiple categories including infrastructure, fleet management, and operational resources. You will be responsible for ensuring procurement activities meet high standards of quality, compliance, sustainability and cost-effectiveness, while aligning with strategic growth objectives.

What you'll do:

• Lead, plan, and coordinate procurement exercises across the business in a cost-effective and efficient way.
• Lead procurement for new site openings, including sourcing of, equipment, utilities, and vehicles.
• Manage and develop the procurement team, providing leadership, guidance, and support to ensure high performance and continuous improvement.
• Ensure all procurement processes adhere to internal policies and external regulatory requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure delivery of goods and services meets quality standards.
• Carry out due diligence checks on suppliers to ensure compliance and quality standards.
• Maintain supplier databases, contracts registers, and succession planning strategies.
• Oversee tenders, price reviews, and onboarding of new suppliers.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to forecast needs and align procurement with operational plans.
• Management of the whole fleet including ordering of new vehicles, on-going support and vehicle de-fleet and reallocation processes.
• Management of procurement reports to track suppliers and costs
• Negotiate supplier contracts, ensuring favourable terms and value for money.
• Provide a customer-focused procurement service, handling supplier complaints and disputes effectively.

What we're looking for:

• Proven experience in procurement management, ideally within education, healthcare, or multi-site operations.
• Strong understanding of compliance frameworks, quality assurance, and sustainability requirements in procurement.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Familiarity with procurement systems and compliance frameworks.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive decisions.
• Commercial acumen and a track record of achieving cost efficiencies.

Why join Outcomes First Group?

Outcomes First Group is the largest independent provider of high quality special needs education and care. We are a vital part of local communities in England, Scotland and Wales with a renowned reputation for quality and positive outcomes for the people we educate and care for.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Our divisional brands include Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools and Momenta Connect.

Our Vision

Empower every child, whatever their ability, with a world-class education that nurtures potential, inspires lifelong learning, and equips them to thrive in a diverse and evolving world.

Our Mission

We commit to unlocking our pupils’ potential through personalised learning, innovation, and opportunity, supporting growth and aspirations.

Our Promise

We Listen. We never assume.

We work together. To make the remarkable happen.

We are accountable. To each other and for one another.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• Your Wellbeing Matters – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks.

All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Please note: 4DWW is subject to successful completion of your probation period and is not a contractual benefit.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.