Senior Procurement Category Manager

Derbyshire County Council; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive team environment

Leadership development opportunities

Public sector procurement exposure

Job summary

Derbyshire County Council is seeking a Senior Procurement Category Manager to lead the council’s procurement strategy across a directorate. You will partner with senior leaders, drive high‑value procurement, and embed proactive planning, governance and continuous improvement in commercial outcomes.

You will mentor procurement colleagues and deputise for the Strategic Procurement Manager when required, ensuring strategic continuity and delivery of the procurement agenda across services.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience delivering high‑value, complex procurement in a regulated environment.
• In‑depth knowledge of public procurement legislation and frameworks.
• Experience of managing, mentoring and developing procurement staff.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex procurement projects with robust governance and legal compliance.
• Act as senior procurement partner to directors and budget holders.
• Mentor and manage a team of Procurement Category Managers and Assistants.
• Deputise for Strategic Procurement Manager to ensure leadership continuity.

Skills

Leadership

Public sector procurement

Stakeholder management

Strategic procurement planning

Governance & compliance

Mentoring & development

Risk management

Education

CIPS Level 5 or equivalent

Job description

Closing date: 31 January 2027

We are looking to appoint experienced and motivated Senior Procurement Category Managers to support the delivery of our strategic, proactive procurement function across the Council.

About The Role

This is a key leadership role within the Procurement service, responsible for delivering the Council’s procurement strategy across a designated directorate. You will act as a trusted business partner to senior leaders, leading complex and high‑value procurement activity, embedding proactive procurement planning, compliance, and driving continuous improvement in commercial outcomes.

You will also play an important role in developing and mentoring procurement colleagues, while providing strategic continuity by deputising for the Strategic Procurement Manager when required.

What You Will Be Doing

• Supporting the delivery of the directorate procurement strategy, aligning activity to service priorities, budgets, and corporate objectives
• Acting as a senior procurement partner to Assistant directors, Heads of Service, Service Managers, and budget holders
• Leading high‑value, high‑risk, and complex procurement projects, ensuring robust governance and legal compliance
• Managing and mentoring a team of Procurement Category Managers and Procurement Assistants supporting their development and performance
• Deputising for the Strategic Procurement Manager where required, providing leadership continuity
• Embedding compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, PCRs, PSR and Council governance frameworks
• Supporting early engagement in service planning to shape appropriate commercial solutions
• Driving improved contract management, performance monitoring, and risk management across services
• Promoting innovation, collaboration, and best practice within procurement delivery
• Representing the Council in partnership procurement forums, including work with neighbouring authorities

About You

You will be an experienced procurement professional with strong leadership capability and a track record of delivering complex procurement in a regulated environment.

You will bring:

• Substantial experience delivering high‑value and complex procurement activity, ideally within the public sector
• In‑depth knowledge of public procurement legislation and frameworks
• Experience of managing, mentoring, and developing procurement staff
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• A strategic, solutions‑focused mindset with the ability to work proactively with services
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to manage risk and compliance effectively

A management qualification or leadership experience is desirable.

Essential Qualifications

• CIPS Level 5 or equivalent experience with evidence of progression

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a service transformation, helping shape a modern, strategic procurement function.
• Work on high‑profile and complex procurement projects that make a real difference.
• Opportunity to develop leadership and strategic management experience.
• Supportive, collaborative team environment.