At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and optimise supplier performance across the group.
- Company: Join SEG, the UK's leading education services platform, empowering over 18,000 customers.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, healthcare plans, and flexible benefits.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact in education while fostering a culture of inclusivity and growth.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in procurement, sourcing, and outsourcing is essential.
- Other info: Ideal for those with a passion for transforming education and driving change.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About Us: At Supporting Education Group (SEG), we empower the world of education. As the UK’s leading education services platform, we bring together four specialist practices that support every corner of the sector - from teacher supply and SEN tutoring to qualifications, training and essential professional services. We serve over 18,000 customers, employ 1,600 people, and generate over £288 million in revenue annually. Backed by private equity, our rapid growth means we’re constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of schools, educators, and learners. With central teams across technology, finance, people, and marketing, we’re now entering an exciting transformation phase - simplifying how we work, consolidating contracts, and strengthening supplier relationships to build a more sustainable, efficient future.
About the Role: We’re looking for an experienced and commercially astute Head of Procurement, Supplier Management and Outsourcing to lead and execute our procurement strategy across the group. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering a consistent, group-wide approach to procurement, outsourcing, and supplier governance. You’ll play a key role in optimising supplier performance, driving cost efficiencies, and improving procurement capabilities across our senior leadership teams. This is your opportunity to build a function from the ground up and make a lasting impact as we continue to scale.
- Procurement Strategy & Operations: Develop and lead our group procurement function, aligning with business goals while improving efficiencies, compliance and value-for-money.
- Supplier & Outsourcing Management: Oversee strategic supplier relationships, SLAs and KPIs, and lead our outsourcing strategy to improve service scalability and cost-effectiveness.
- Cost Optimisation & Value Creation: Use data, benchmarking and negotiation to identify synergies, reduce costs and support M&A integration.
- Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a trusted advisor across the group, working closely with our central and practice teams to embed procurement best practice.
About You: You’re an experienced procurement leader with a track record of driving transformation in fast-paced, multi-entity organisations - ideally with exposure to private equity environments and post-acquisition integration. You combine commercial acumen with strategic thinking, and have the influencing skills to build strong relationships at every level. To succeed in this role, you’ll need to bring:
- Significant experience in procurement, sourcing, and outsourcing - ideally in a service-led or multi-site business.
- Proven success negotiating contracts, managing suppliers, and delivering cost savings.
- Experience creating and executing outsourcing strategies and managing third-party governance.
- Strong understanding of procurement risks, regulations, and compliance.
- Leadership experience with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive change.
- Knowledge of procurement systems or ERP platforms (desirable).
It would be desirable if you had:
- Experience in the education, healthcare, or professional services sectors.
- Previous involvement in M&A procurement due diligence and integration.
Our Benefits: Hybrid working (minimum 3 days per week in our London office) 28 days holiday + bank holidays, increasing to 33 days with length of service Healthcare plan (post-probation), including access to a private GP Life insurance (x4 salary) from day one Pension scheme with employer contributions Access to flexible benefits including extra holiday, dental, electric cars, gym membership and more.
Our Culture: At Supporting Education Group, our people come first. We’re creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to do their best work. From open communication to opportunities for growth and development, we believe work should be both meaningful and enjoyable. We’re proud to foster a culture of inclusivity and authenticity, where diverse perspectives are embraced and celebrated. If you’re looking for a career where you can make a difference, be yourself, and help shape the future of education - we’d love to hear from you.
Head of Procurement, Supplier Management, and Outsourcing employer: Supporting Education Group
Contact Detail:
Supporting Education Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement, Supplier Management, and Outsourcing
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the education sector and its unique procurement challenges. Understanding the specific needs of schools and educational institutions will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to optimise supplier performance.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in procurement and education services. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others in the field. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with data-driven decision-making. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data and benchmarking in previous roles to drive cost efficiencies and improve procurement capabilities, as this aligns closely with the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and stakeholder engagement strategies. Highlight examples where you've influenced senior stakeholders and driven change, as this is crucial for the Head of Procurement role at Supporting Education Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Procurement, Supplier Management, and Outsourcing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, supplier management, and outsourcing. Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in negotiating contracts and managing suppliers.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your strategic thinking and leadership skills. Mention how your background aligns with the company's goals and how you can contribute to their transformation phase.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: In your application, focus on quantifiable achievements related to cost savings, supplier performance optimisation, and successful outsourcing strategies. This will help illustrate your impact in previous roles.
Showcase Your Understanding of the Sector: Demonstrate your knowledge of the education sector and its challenges. Mention any relevant experience in education, healthcare, or professional services to strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Supporting Education Group
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to research Supporting Education Group's culture and values. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to inclusivity and how they support their employees. This will help you align your answers with their ethos and demonstrate that you're a good fit.
✨Showcase Your Procurement Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in procurement, sourcing, and outsourcing. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully negotiated contracts or managed supplier relationships. This will showcase your expertise and give the interviewers confidence in your abilities.
✨Prepare for Strategic Questions
Expect questions that assess your strategic thinking and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and lead a procurement function that aligns with business goals. Think about how you can optimise supplier performance and drive cost efficiencies, as these are key areas for the role.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Since this role involves working closely with senior stakeholders, prepare to discuss how you've influenced decision-making in the past. Share examples of how you've built strong relationships and embedded best practices in previous roles, as this will be crucial for success in this position.