Procurement Services Category Leader (Ref 25-086)

Cleveland Police; Tees Valley, Thornaby-on-Tees; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional police force is seeking a Procurement Services Category Leader to join their Procurement Team in Thornaby. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and experience in contract management and supplier relationships. The role focuses on optimising external expenditure and driving value for money. Candidates must hold or be working towards CIPS membership. This full-time position offers a salary ranging from £35,526 to £40,893 per year.

Qualifications

• Experience in contract management and supplier relationships.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• Confident in identifying and managing risk in business activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice to Service Units.
• Optimise external expenditure and manage supplier relationships.
• Identify areas for improvement and contract development.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Strong communication skills

Pro-active approach

Education

Membership of CIPS or working towards it

Job description

Procurement Services Category Leader (Ref 25-086)

• Posting date: 12 November 2025
• Salary: £35,526 to £40,893 per year
• Hours: Full time
• Closing date: 03 December 2025
• Location: Thornaby, Stockton-On-Tees
• Remote working: On-site only
• Company: Cleveland Police
• Job type: Permanent

Summary

Post: Procurement Services Category Leader

Salary: SO 1 / 2 - £35,526 - £40,893

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: St Marks House, Thornaby

Cleveland Police are seeking an innovative and dedicated individual to join their Procurement Team. If you have experience dealing with suppliers, contract management and delivering on value for money, this could be the right role for you.

You will be suited to this post if you have strong communication skills with the ability to build effective working relationships. You will have ownership of specific categories, where you will provide specialist advice to Service Units. This will include being responsible for specific contracts such as Operations or ICT. You will be focused on optimising external expenditure, whilst also establishing and maintaining supply sources managing the supplier relationship and optimising contract, added value and delivering on cost savings in all areas.

We welcome applications from candidates who have excellent analytical and negotiation skills, who also possess a pro‑active approach to work, identifying areas for improvement and new opportunities for contract development. You will also be confident in identifying and managing risk in business activities and conducting contract management approaches.

Candidates must be a Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or be working towards attaining this.

If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact Nick Eyley, Commissioning & Procurement Manager on 07971 371468.

If you are interested in applying for this role please progress your application via the link. Application forms should be completed no later than 23:55 on the specified closing date.

Cleveland Police is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010. All appointments will be made on merit.

Regardless of the applicant, this role is on current Cleveland Police Terms and Conditions as per Police Staff Council.

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Disability Confident

About Disability Confident: A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people.