Public Sector Strategic Procurement Lead

Essential Employment; South Tyneside; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Essential Employment is seeking a Strategic Procurement Manager for a Surrey-based, full-time temporary role paying £500 per day. The position focuses on developing long-term procurement strategies, managing high-value contracts, and ensuring regulatory compliance across multiple spend categories.

The role requires leadership in category management, supplier engagement, and delivering social value, with AMO-level interaction across Directors and senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver strategic procurement plans with a two-year planning horizon for a major spend category.
• Lead complex, high-value procurement and commercial projects from concept through to contract award and implementation.
• Manage procurement exercises covering goods, services, and works contracts, often with values ranging from £50m to £100m.
• Ensure compliance with Public Procurement Regulations, Procurement Standing Orders, and relevant legislation.
• Advise Directors, Heads of Service, and senior stakeholders on procurement strategy, commercial opportunities, and routes to market.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and value for money through effective procurement solutions.
• Deliver social value objectives through procurement activity in line with policies.
• Lead category management activities including market analysis, commercial assessments, supplier engagement, and strategic sourcing.
• Monitor project delivery, procurement benefits, savings, and outcomes, ensuring these are accurately reported.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal clients, suppliers, elected members, and external partners.
• Represent the organisation at regional and national procurement forums and industry events.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of procurement services across the partnership.

Job description

Essential Employment is seeking a Strategic Procurement Manager for a Surrey-based, full-time temporary role paying £500 per day. The position focuses on developing long-term procurement strategies, managing high-value contracts, and ensuring regulatory compliance across multiple spend categories.

The role requires leadership in category management, supplier engagement, and delivering social value, with AMO-level interaction across Directors and senior stakeholders.