Procurement Manager

Outsource UK Limited; Cirencester; Hybrid; GBP 86,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Outsource UK Limited is seeking an experienced Procurement Manager to join our client on an initial 3–6 month contract in Cirencester, with two days onsite and three days remote.

The role focuses on delivering hands-on procurement across indirect categories, owning projects end-to-end, negotiating with suppliers and working closely with Finance Business Partners.

You will thrive in a pragmatic, delivery-focused environment, manage multiple projects, and hit the ground running from day one.

Qualifications

• Strong experience at Procurement Manager / Category Manager level.
• Background in indirect procurement.
• Experience managing procurement projects end-to-end.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to work with limited supervision.
• Delivery-focused, pragmatic approach.
• Ability to rapidly pick up new categories.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver a range of procurement projects across indirect categories.
• Take ownership from requirements through sourcing, negotiation and implementation.
• Work independently with limited supervision.
• Understand business requirements and identify procurement approaches.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Collaborate with Finance Business Partners and stakeholders.
• Support sourcing, supplier negotiations, tendering and commercial activity.
• Provide pragmatic procurement advice in situations where established processes and structures may not always be clear.
• Ensure projects are progressed efficiently and delivered to a high standard.

Skills

Procurement Manager level

Category Manager

Indirect procurement

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Job description

Procurement Manager Client: A UK-based, FTSE 100 wealth management, fund management, and life insurance company. Location: Cirencester - 2 days onsite / 3 days remote Contract: 3 months initially Rate: £550 per day Inside IR35- Umbrella Start Date: ASAP Working Hours: Full time

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Procurement Manager / Category Manager to join my clients team on an initial 6-month contract following an unexpected resignation at Category Manager level.

This is a hands-on, delivery-focused procurement role suited to someone who can quickly understand a business, operate with limited supervision and hit the ground running.

The successful candidate does not need to be a highly strategic or technology-focused procurement specialist. Instead, they will be someone who is comfortable managing a broad range of indirect procurement projects, taking ownership and getting things done.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver a range of procurement projects across indirect categories.
• Take ownership of projects from initial requirements through to sourcing, negotiation and implementation.
• Work independently with limited supervision.
• Quickly understand business requirements and identify the appropriate procurement approach.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Work closely with Finance Business Partners and internal stakeholders.
• Support sourcing, supplier negotiations, tendering and commercial activity.
• Provide pragmatic procurement advice in situations where established processes and structures may not always be clear.
• Ensure projects are progressed efficiently and delivered to a high standard.

Categories / Projects

• Facilities Management
• Real Estate / Property
• Events and Event Production
• Event Hire
• Travel Marketing and professional services
• Wider indirect procurement categories

About You

We are looking for a strong all-round procurement professional who can hit the ground running.

You will ideally have:

• Strong experience at Procurement Manager / Category Manager level.
• A background in indirect procurement.
• Experience managing procurement projects independently from start to finish.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• The ability to work with limited supervision and take ownership.
• A pragmatic, delivery-focused approach.
• The ability to quickly pick up new categories and projects.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills.
• Experience operating in environments where processes and governance are not always fully established.

Particularly Relevant Backgrounds

Experience across Marketing or Professional Services procurement would be highly desirable, although a strong generalist indirect procurement background would also be considered. This role would suit someone who enjoys getting stuck in, managing a high volume of projects and delivering tangible outcomes, rather than someone looking for a purely strategic procurement position.

Working Environment

This company does not operate within an overly rigid or heavily structured procurement environment, so the successful candidate needs to be comfortable operating in the grey areas and using their own judgement. You will work as part of the wider Procurement function and closely with Finance Business Partners. The wider team consists of approximately 14 people within Procurement, including the Head of Procurement, a technology procurement team and the wider indirect procurement team. The procurement function sits within a broader Financial Business Partner structure of around 30 people.

Interview Process- 2 stage

An immediate start is preferred to support a handover.