Senior Strategic Procurement Lead (Public Sector)

Carrington Blake Recruitment; England; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Orbis – Local Authority Partnership seeks a Strategic Procurement Manager to lead major procurement programs across key categories. You will shape strategic plans, drive high-value tenders and ensure compliance with public procurement rules while delivering cost savings and social value.

You will manage a small team, engage senior stakeholders, and oversee contracts from planning to benefits realisation. A background in public sector procurement and CIPS qualifications is preferred.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in strategic procurement and category management.
• Proven experience developing and implementing procurement strategies.
• Experience leading complex, high-value tendering and commercial projects.
• Strong understanding of public procurement regulations and relevant legislation.
• Experience managing commercial contracts, supplier relationships and negotiations.
• Strong financial and commercial awareness, including cost analysis and value-for-money principles.
• Experience influencing and engaging senior stakeholders.
• Previous experience leading, coaching or mentoring procurement professionals.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver strategic projects to deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver strategic procurement and category management plans across an allocated spending area.
• Lead complex procurement projects and high-value tendering exercises, including major contracts worth approximately £50m–£100m.
• Manage procurement projects from initial planning and route-to-market decisions through to contract award and benefits realisation.
• Identify opportunities to improve value for money, achieve cost savings and deliver better commercial outcomes.
• Advise senior stakeholders, including Directors and Heads of Service, on procurement strategies and commercial decisions.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with relevant public procurement regulations, legislation and organisational procedures.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers, partner authorities and internal stakeholders.
• Drive social value through procurement projects in line with organisational policies.
• Lead, coach and develop a small team of procurement professionals.
• Monitor project delivery, budgets, resources and procurement benefits.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Category management

Tendering

Stakeholder engagement

Public procurement regulations

Contract management

Cost analysis

Leadership

Mentoring

Negotiation

Communication

Deadline management

Education

CIPS Level 5

Degree or equivalent qualification

Job description

Orbis – Local Authority Partnership seeks a Strategic Procurement Manager to lead major procurement programs across key categories. You will shape strategic plans, drive high-value tenders and ensure compliance with public procurement rules while delivering cost savings and social value.

You will manage a small team, engage senior stakeholders, and oversee contracts from planning to benefits realisation. A background in public sector procurement and CIPS qualifications is preferred.