Purchase jobs in United Kingdom

The role As Procurement Manager, you will lead the procurement function across multiple categories including infrastructure, fleet management, and operational resources. You will be responsible for ensuring procurement activities meet high standards of quality, compliance, sustainability and cost-effectiveness, while aligning with strategic growth objectives.

• Lead, plan, and coordinate procurement exercises across the business in a cost-effective and efficient way.
• Lead procurement for new site openings, including sourcing of equipment, utilities, and vehicles.
• Manage and develop the procurement team, providing leadership, guidance, and support to ensure high performance and continuous improvement.
• Ensure all procurement processes adhere to internal policies and external regulatory requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure delivery of goods and services meets quality standards.
• Carry out due diligence checks on suppliers to ensure compliance and quality standards.
• Maintain supplier databases, contracts registers, and succession planning strategies.
• Oversee tenders, price reviews, and onboarding of new suppliers.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to forecast needs and align procurement with operational plans.
• Management of the whole fleet including ordering of new vehicles, ongoing support and vehicle de-fleet and reallocation processes.
• Management of procurement reports to track suppliers and costs.
• Negotiate supplier contracts, ensuring favourable terms and value for money.
• Provide a customer-focused procurement service, handling supplier complaints and disputes effectively.

• Proven experience in procurement management, ideally within education, healthcare, or multi-site operations.
• Strong understanding of compliance frameworks, quality assurance, and sustainability requirements in procurement.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Familiarity with procurement systems and compliance frameworks.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive decisions.
• Commercial acumen and a track record of achieving cost efficiencies.

Outcomes First Group is the largest independent provider of high quality special needs education and care. We are a vital part of local communities in England, Scotland and Wales with a renowned reputation for quality and positive outcomes for the people we educate and care for.

We are proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Our divisional brands include Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools and Momenta Connect.

Our Vision

Empower every child, whatever their ability, with a world-class education that nurtures potential, inspires lifelong learning, and equips them to thrive in a diverse and evolving world.

Our Mission

We commit to unlocking our pupils’ potential through personalised learning, innovation, and opportunity, supporting growth and aspirations.

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including :

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
• And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including :
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks.

All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Equal opportunities We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Please note: this vacancy is subject to successful completion of your probation period and is not a contractual benefit.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. While we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.