Procurement Manager

Acorn Care and Education; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead diverse procurement activities. The role involves managing procurement processes across new sites, ensuring compliance, quality, and efficiency. Candidates should have proven procurement experience, ideally in education or healthcare sectors, with strong negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills. This hybrid position based in Bolton offers a salary up to £55,000 per annum and various employee benefits, promoting a work/life balance.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with contribution options

Mental and physical health support

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Flexible benefits via Vista

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate procurement exercises effectively.
• Manage and develop the procurement team for high performance.
• Negotiate supplier contracts ensuring value for money.

Skills

Procurement management

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Job description

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

Procurement Manager

Bolton | Hybrid- working 2 days in the office

Permanent | 37.5 hours per week (Mon–Fri)

Salary: Up to £55,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)

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

In 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running. We’re proud to be part of the 4-Day Working Week trial, giving our teams more time to recharge while still earning 100% of their pay.*

Outcomes First Group is the largest independent provider of high-quality special needs education and care in the UK. We deliver research-led, personalised education that helps every child thrive.

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, work together, and hold each other accountable to make the remarkable happen.

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

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Essential Experience & Skills

• 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.

Benefits

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with contribution options
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” mental and physical health support
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Flexible benefits via Vista (discounts, Cycle to Work, Electric Car Scheme, critical illness cover and more)

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

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 statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.