Senior Procurement and Contracts Adviser

Kent and Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust; Maidstone; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare provider in England is seeking a Senior Procurement & Contracts Adviser to enhance procurement excellence across mental health and learning disability services. This role offers the chance to lead high-value procurement projects while ensuring compliance with UK legislation. Ideal candidates will have proven experience in public sector tendering and a strong commercial mindset. The position allows for hybrid working, contributing to both professional growth and patient care improvement.

Benefits

Continuous professional development

Flexible working hours

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in tendering public sector contracts, preferably £500k and above.
• Ability to develop and implement procurement strategies across multiple categories.
• Experience in delivering cost savings and social value benefits.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver compliant procurement projects from initiation to contract award.
• Develop tender documentation and provide expert advice on contract disputes.
• Analyze spend data to inform work planning and risk mitigation.

Skills

Public sector tendering experience

Knowledge of UK procurement legislation

Strong commercial acumen

Excellent communication skills

Job description

Are you an experienced procurement professional ready to make a real impact in the NHS? We are seeking a Senior Procurement & Contracts Adviser to help shape procurement excellence across our vital mental health and learning disability services.

As a Senior Procurement and Contracts Adviser, you’ll lead a portfolio of compliant procurement projects, ensuring compliance with UK Procurement legislation while delivering value for money and wider social value benefits. You will develop and implement procurement strategies across categories such as ICT, estates and facilities, and corporate service contracts, providing informed commercial advice.

This role requires demonstrable experience in tendering public sector contracts (£500k+) across various categories, with in-depth knowledge of UK procurement legislation, strong commercial acumen, and excellent communication skills.

Join a supportive, forward-thinking team that offers hybrid working, opportunities to lead collaborative projects across Kent, and a chance to make a meaningful impact on patient care and services. Benefits include continuous professional development. This is a full-time post with flexible working considered (minimum one day a week in the office).

Please note: Due to urgent recruitment needs and ongoing financial constraints, we are unable to provide sponsorship.

As a Senior Procurement & Contracts Adviser, You Will

• Lead and deliver compliant procurement projects from initiation to contract award, including high-value tenders, framework mini-competitions, and quotations.
• Develop tender documentation, evaluation criteria, and contract terms in line with UK procurement legislation.
• Provide expert advice on contract disputes and supplier negotiations.
• Identify and deliver cost savings, net zero, and social value benefits.
• Analyze spend data to inform work planning and risk mitigation.
• Support procurement governance and embed best practices across the Trust.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Supervise and mentor junior procurement staff, supporting their development.
• Represent the Trust in collaborative procurement initiatives across the Integrated Care System.
• Ensure compliance with Trust policies, Standing Financial Instructions, and relevant legislation.

Come and work with us in the Garden of England, where we combine exceptional professional development opportunities with a high quality of life.

We are Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), providing mental health, learning disability, and specialist services to 1.8 million people in Kent and Medway, with services extending to Sussex and Surrey. We are rated 'Good' by the CQC.

Each year, we care for over 2,000 people in hospitals and 54,000 in the community. We employ over 3,800 people from 66 nationalities, serving diverse communities across rural and urban areas.

You will join friendly, passionate colleagues committed to providing excellent care. Our work environment fosters kindness and compassion, recognizing everyone’s vital role in delivering exemplary service.

Our Strategy

Mission: We deliver brilliant care through brilliant people.

Vision: To provide outstanding care and work in partnership to deliver it in the right place, for every service user, every time.

Check out our recruitment videos Recruitment - YouTube.

For further details or informal visits, contact:

• Name: Jo Newton-Smith
• Job title: Associate Director of Procurement
• Email: [e-mail]
• Telephone: [phone]