Senior Procurement Manager

Warwick Employment Group (WEG); Coventry; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Warwick is seeking an experienced Senior Procurement Manager to lead high-value procurement programs, shape category strategies, and deliver best-value solutions across the university.

In this 12-month fixed-term role you will manage a spend of over £10m per year, design end-to-end processes, and collaborate with senior stakeholders to drive continuous improvement. Join a world-class institution and influence strategic procurement at scale.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering procurement strategies and managing high-value spend (£10m+ per year).
• Strong negotiation skills with commercial and legal awareness.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-value category and project procurement strategies aligned to budgets and KPIs.
• Deliver compliant end-to-end procurement processes, including tenders and framework agreements.
• Provide expert leadership on complex strategic negotiations and risk mitigation.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Category management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking Senior Procurement Manager to play a pivotal role in delivering best‑value procurement solutions across the University of Warwick. This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing procurement team and influence major strategic projects, category strategies and supply‑chain optimisation at scale.

In this senior role, you will lead a portfolio exceeding £10m spend per annum, design and implement procurement strategies, and contribute directly to the University’s wider procurement and commercial goals. You will collaborate with senior stakeholders, shape category directions, and drive continuous improvement in one of the UK’s most dynamic higher‑education institutions.

Please note: this is a 12-month fixed-term contract.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading high-value category and project procurement strategies, ensuring alignment with budgets, KPIs, and University goals.
• Delivering compliant, robust and auditable end‑to‑end procurement processes, including competitive tendering and framework agreements.
• Providing expert commercial leadership for complex strategic contract negotiations, mitigating financial, commercial and legal risks.
• Leading cross‑functional project teams to deliver process improvements, category innovations and procurement best practice across the institution.
• Building strong, collaborative relationships with senior academic and professional services stakeholders.
• Supporting and developing junior team members while contributing to the overall maturity and capability of the Procurement Office.
• Producing business cases, options appraisals, KPI analysis and high-impact reporting for senior decision-makers.

What we’re looking for

You’ll bring extensive experience in complex procurement environments and a strong record of delivering value through strategy, category management and negotiation. We’re looking for:

• A degree or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience delivering procurement strategies and managing spend over £10m per year, achieving measurable savings and best value.
• Broad expertise spanning category management, tendering, specification development, whole‑life costing, contract formation and contract management.
• High‑level negotiation skills with strong commercial and legal awareness.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional teams and senior‑level stakeholder groups to successful outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to influence at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to thrive under pressure and to strict deadlines.
• Knowledge of Public Contracts Regulations 2015 / the Procurement Act 2023

This is an opportunity to operate at a genuinely strategic level within a world‑class research institution. You will:

• Shape major category strategies with real institutional impact.
• Lead high-profile, complex procurements and negotiations.
• Work collaboratively with influential stakeholders across the University.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in a mature, forward‑thinking procurement function.
• Enjoy the benefits and stability of a major higher‑education employer.