Strategic Procurement Manager (Interim)

i-Jobs; Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

i-Jobs in Bradford is seeking an experienced Strategic Procurement Manager (Interim) to lead high‑value procurement across the Council. The role is hybrid with two days in office and three remote, paying PAYE £392 per day. Start ASAP, 3+ months, 37 hours per week.

You will develop procurement strategies, manage end-to-end processes, and drive cost savings while ensuring governance and compliance. Collaborating with finance, legal and operations, you’ll deliver value for money and continuous

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic procurement within public sector or large organisations.
• Strong knowledge of tendering, contract award and supplier management.
• Ability to lead end-to-end procurement projects and drive value for money.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of public procurement legislation and governance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic procurement activities across Bradford Council.
• Develop procurement strategies to support financial, operational and strategic objectives.
• Manage end-to-end procurement exercises from requirements and market engagement through tendering, evaluation, award and contract mobilisation.
• Collaborate with internal service areas to refine specifications and improve value.
• Provide procurement advice to managers, stakeholders and project teams.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiencies and value for money.
• Develop procurement plans, tender documents, evaluation processes and recommendations.
• Engage with suppliers to understand capability and opportunities for innovation.
• Support effective contract management and supplier performance, including governance and audit trails.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with legislation, policies and governance requirements.
• Monitor deadlines, risks and commercial outcomes and report to senior stakeholders.
• Support procurement improvements across the organisation.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Tendering

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Cost savings

Financial analysis

Job description

Job Title: Strategic Procurement Manager (Interim)

Location: Hall Ings, Bradford, BD1 1HX

Contract duration: 3+ Months- 2 days in office, 3 remote

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Start Date: ASAP

Pay Rate: PAYE £392.00 per day

Job Ref: (phone number removed)

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and manage strategic procurement activity across Bradford Metropolitan District Council.
• Develop and implement effective procurement strategies that support the Council's financial, operational and strategic objectives.
• Manage end-to-end procurement exercises, from initial requirements and market engagement through to tendering, evaluation, award and contract mobilisation.
• Work closely with internal service areas to understand requirements, challenge specifications and identify opportunities for improved value and efficiency.
• Provide professional procurement advice and guidance to managers, stakeholders and project teams.
• Identify opportunities to deliver cost savings, efficiencies, improved value for money and commercial benefits.
• Lead complex and high-value procurement projects, ensuring appropriate governance, controls and documentation are maintained.
• Develop procurement plans, tender documentation, evaluation processes and recommendations in line with Council requirements.
• Engage effectively with suppliers and the wider market to understand capability, capacity, pricing and opportunities for innovation.
• Support effective contract management and supplier performance, addressing issues and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with relevant legislation, Council policies, procedures and governance requirements.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, reports, documentation and audit trails.
• Work collaboratively with finance, legal, commissioning, operational and other professional teams where required.
• Monitor procurement activity, deadlines, risks and commercial outcomes and provide clear progress updates to senior stakeholders.
• Support the development of procurement and commercial improvements across the organisation.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering effective, transparent and commercially sound procurement outcomes.

Person Specification

• Proven experience working in strategic procurement, preferably within a complex public sector or large organisational environment.
• Strong understanding of strategic sourcing, tendering, contract award and supplier management processes.
• Experience managing procurement projects from requirements definition through to contract award and implementation.
• Ability to develop effective procurement strategies and identify opportunities for savings, efficiencies and value for money.
• Knowledge of relevant public sector procurement legislation, regulations, policies and governance requirements.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to assess supplier, financial and contractual considerations.
• Experience working with internal stakeholders to develop specifications, procurement plans and tender documentation.
• Strong negotiation, supplier-management and stakeholder-engagement skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and professional advice.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex information and make sound recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple procurement exercises, competing priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation and audit compliance.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of assignments and provide professional procurement advice.
• Strong collaborative approach and ability to build effective relationships with colleagues, suppliers and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work confidently in a fast-paced environment and respond effectively to changing organisational priorities.
• Commitment to transparency, ethical procurement, value for money and continuous improvement.