Senior Procurement Category Manager

East Midlands Councils/East Midlands Jobs; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

East Midlands Councils is seeking an experienced Senior Procurement Category Manager to lead a strategic procurement function across a designated directorate. You will partner with senior leaders, drive high-value procurement activity, ensure governance and compliance, and champion proactive planning.

You will mentor procurement colleagues, deputise for the Strategic Procurement Manager when required, and promote innovation and best practice while shaping commercial outcomes across services.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of the directorate procurement strategy, aligning activity to service priorities, budgets, and corporate objectives.
• Act as a senior procurement partner to Assistant directors, Heads of Service, Service Managers, and budget holders.
• Lead 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.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Mentoring staff

Commercial awareness

Education

CIPS Level 5 or equivalent

Management qualification

Job description

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.

Please don't wait until the closing date to apply as we will be reviewing applications as they are received and inviting shortlisted candidates to interview throughout the advertising period. Early applications are strongly encouraged, as the position may be filled before the advertised closing date.

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

Essential Qualifications

• CIPS Level 5 or equivalent experience with evidence of progression

A management qualification or leadership experience is desirable.

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.