Purchasing and Contracts Manager

Oundle School; Oundle; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

Oundle School is seeking a part-time procurement, commercial and contract management professional to deliver high-quality services to the school and its subsidiaries. You will lead supplier relationships from tender through to handover, optimise commercial processes and support the Director of Finance and Bursar in strategic decisions.

Working within the Finance team, the role is 20-24 hours per week with flexible days to be discussed at interview. The post is based on-site in Oundle.

Job description

The purpose of this role is to provide a high-quality procurement, commercial and contract management service to Oundle School and its subsidiaries and to provide commercial support to the Director of Finance, the Bursar and the wider Leadership Team.

Working within the Finance team, you will report to the Director of Finance and be responsible for leading procurement, supplier management and commercial processes, adapting, improving, and ensuring best practice is always applied and being accountable for supplier relationships from the outset of the decision to tender, tender invite through to handover, as BAU (to include tender management, contract award, mobilisation and sign-off to BAU).

Working weeks: 52 weeks per year.

Hours of work: Part-time, 20-24 hours per week. The specific days and start and finish times can be discussed at the interview stage.

The Schools

Oundle and Laxton Junior Schools have long been associated with the very best of modern independent education, especially boarding. The Schools take seriously their responsibility to pupils so that they can emerge as decent, open-minded adults; ambitious about what they can go on to achieve and contribute. Over 1,400 pupils are on roll at the School, of whom 840 are full boarders. Academic results are steadfastly excellent.

A team of around 800 staff, both academic and support, ensure an education of the highest standard is in place across the Schools, with the efforts of the whole team focused on this fundamental aim.

Living in Oundle

We are fortunate in our location at the heart of a beautiful market town. School and town are part of the same community, and our pupils take their place within this community, not isolated from it. The town has a spirited cultural life, with an annual international festival, literature festival, and frequent performances of nationally touring shows at the School's Stahl Theatre.

If you have any questions about the role, please email: [e-mail] or call: 01832 277193.

Closing date: 9.00am on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

Interview date: w/c 5 October 2026.

Recruitment Agencies

The Corporation of Oundle School has an internal recruitment department, but where agency support is required, we will engage our trusted partners. Our adverts are intended to encourage direct interest from potential applicants, not recruitment agencies. Speculative CVs sent from sources other than directly from a candidate will not be acknowledged or considered.

Safeguarding Statement

Oundle School and Laxton Junior School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.