At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement activities and develop strategies for value-driven outcomes.
- Company: High-profile organisation focused on procurement excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid work model, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in procurement while coaching and mentoring others.
- Qualifications: Senior procurement experience with strong category management skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Interim Procurement & Category Management Lead
Day Rate
Location
Hybrid (1-2 days per week onsite) in Oxford
Contract
3 months with view to extend
Start Date
ASAP (flexible for the right candidate)
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced
Interim Procurement & Category Management Lead to support a high-profile organisation in driving procurement excellence across a broad portfolio of spend.
This is a hands-on leadership role for an accomplished procurement professional with strong category management expertise, a thorough understanding of procurement processes, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Alongside delivering strategic procurement activity, the successful candidate will help improve procurement practices, coach existing team members, and enhance tendering and governance processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end procurement and sourcing activities across a variety of spend categories.
- Develop and implement category management strategies that deliver value for money and commercial benefits.
- Review and improve procurement and tendering processes, ensuring compliance with organisational policies and best practice.
- Coach and mentor procurement colleagues to enhance capability and procurement maturity.
- Provide expert advice on sourcing strategies, market engagement, tender evaluations, negotiations, and contract award processes.
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and facilitate effective working groups and governance meetings.
- Support procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Manage supplier engagement activities and contribute to contract and supplier management best practice.
- Deliver procurement projects within challenging timelines while maintaining high-quality commercial outcomes.
- Candidate Requirements
- Proven experience operating in a senior procurement, category management, or commercial leadership role.
- Strong background in Category Management and strategic sourcing.
- Extensive experience managing complex procurement and tender processes.
- Ability to influence, challenge, and engage stakeholders across multiple business functions.
- Experience coaching, mentoring, or developing procurement professionals.
- Strong commercial acumen with excellent negotiation and supplier management skills.
- Experience driving procurement process improvements and delivering best-practice procurement outcomes.
- Comfortable working autonomously within a fast-paced environment.
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Interim Senior Procurement Manager in Oxford employer: 1st Executive Ltd
Join a forward-thinking organisation that values strategic insight and innovation in the role of Interim Category Manager - MRO. With a focus on resilience and long-term supply chain strategy, you'll be part of a collaborative work culture that encourages professional growth and offers flexible working arrangements between Bristol and London. This position not only allows you to contribute to critical national programmes but also provides opportunities for meaningful engagement with senior stakeholders and industry leaders.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Senior Procurement Manager in Oxford
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Senior Procurement Manager in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show 1st Executive Ltd that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, 1st Executive Ltd can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows 1st Executive Ltd that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let 1st Executive Ltd know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at 1st Executive Ltd
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
