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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement projects, manage contracts, and engage suppliers to drive value and sustainability.
- Company: Join the University of Sussex, a renowned research-led institution committed to social responsibility.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, a supportive team, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in higher education while developing your skills in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualifications or experience in procurement, ideally within regulated sectors like higher education.
- Other info: Located near beautiful South Downs, with excellent transport links and a cycle-to-work scheme.
The predicted salary is between 38784 - 46049 £ per year.
Full-time considered up to a maximum of 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours) Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).
Grade 7 starting at £38,784 to £46,049 per annum, pro rata if part time.
Contract Type
Permanent
About the role
The higher education sector is facing significant financial pressures, but at the University of Sussex, we see this as a strategic opportunity for procurement to lead with impact. We are seeking a dedicated Procurement Consultant to join our collaborative and forward-thinking Strategic Procurement team.
Working predominantly within our newly established SEM, Estates and Facilities Category, this role will be instrumental in supporting the delivery of our long-term Estates Capital Programme, including planned maintenance and a diverse portfolio of projects varying in size, scale, and complexity. You’ll help drive value, ensure compliance, and support sustainability across procurement activities.
Aligned with the Managerial level of the CIPS Global Standards, candidates should bring relevant qualifications or equivalent experience.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading sourcing, contract management, and supplier engagement.
- Driving cost-effectiveness and performance improvement.
- Developing category strategies and maintaining a commercial pipeline.
- Supporting sustainability and compliance across procurement activities.
- Representing Procurement in strategic initiatives and mentoring others.
Join us to make a meaningful impact at a critical time for the sector.
About you
You’re a procurement professional with a proven ability to deliver value, ideally within complex or regulated environments such as higher education or the wider public sector. You understand the financial pressures universities face and are motivated to support smarter, more sustainable procurement.
You have experience running tenders, managing supplier relationships, and working within frameworks like the Public Contracts Regulations. You’re confident engaging with stakeholders and supporting decisions that align with institutional priorities.
Experience in SEM, Estates or Facilities categories is beneficial but not essential. More important is your collaborative mindset, adaptability, and commitment to learning and continuous improvement.
In this role, you’ll help maximise value in the University’s commercial relationships by supporting or leading on strategic projects, tenders, and supplier negotiations. While public sector experience is welcome, we also encourage applications from those in other sectors who understand the implications of working in a regulated environment.
This is a great opportunity to grow your career in a supportive, forward-thinking team—helping the University of Sussex deliver value for money while advancing its sustainability and social responsibility goals.
About our Division
The Finance Division is led by the Chief Finance Officer who reports directly to the Vice Chancellor. We employ some 80 staff who provide high quality financial and commercial services which support both the day to day running of our schools, services, and the development and delivery of the University’s strategic aims.
Our staff work in partnership with academic, professional service colleagues, and students to understand their priorities and needs. We maintain efficient and effective services, systems, and processes, assist in identifying and exploiting commercial and strategic opportunities, manage financial risk and improve ‘spending power’ through negotiation of favourable commercial terms. We work hard to equip staff across the University with financial capability and confidence to ensure that the University makes the best use of resources for our students and research partners.
Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.
Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.
The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.
If you are experiencing any issues using our application portal or if you require adjustments to be made to the selection process, please contact us on (01273) 873743 or to discuss your requirements.
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Procurement Consultant Ref: 41309 employer: Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Contact Detail:
Brighton and Sussex Medical School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Consultant Ref: 41309
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific procurement processes and regulations relevant to the higher education sector. Understanding frameworks like the Public Contracts Regulations will give you an edge in discussions and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in procurement within the higher education sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to gain insights and make connections that could help you during the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your collaborative mindset by preparing examples of past experiences where you've successfully worked with diverse teams or stakeholders. This will highlight your ability to engage effectively, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the University of Sussex's current projects and sustainability goals. Being knowledgeable about their initiatives will allow you to tailor your conversations and demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Consultant Ref: 41309
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, especially within complex or regulated environments. Emphasise any specific achievements related to cost-effectiveness, supplier management, and sustainability.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your understanding of the financial pressures faced by universities and how your skills can help address these challenges. Mention your collaborative mindset and adaptability, as these are key traits for the role.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have qualifications related to procurement or CIPS Global Standards, make sure to mention them prominently. If you lack formal qualifications, focus on equivalent experience that demonstrates your capability in procurement.
Showcase Stakeholder Engagement Skills: Provide examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in previous roles. This could include managing supplier relationships or supporting strategic decisions that align with institutional priorities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Brighton and Sussex Medical School
✨Understand the Sector
Familiarise yourself with the financial pressures facing higher education institutions, particularly the University of Sussex. Demonstrating your understanding of these challenges will show that you are not only knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in making a positive impact.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous procurement experience, especially in complex or regulated environments. Highlight specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships, run tenders, or developed category strategies that align with institutional priorities.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Adaptability
The role requires a collaborative mindset and adaptability. Share examples of how you've worked effectively within teams, mentored others, or adapted to changing circumstances in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your fit within the forward-thinking Strategic Procurement team.
✨Prepare Questions
Have thoughtful questions ready for your interviewers about the role, the team, and the university's strategic goals. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you assess if the role aligns with your career aspirations and values.
