At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing procurement team and manage a £2bn portfolio.
- Company: Join a nationally significant organisation shaping the future of procurement.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to leave a lasting legacy.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence a major infrastructure programme and drive strategic change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on procurement practices and develop future leaders.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in procurement leadership and contract management.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Indirect Procurement Director
Build a legacy that will last This is an opportunity to take on a senior procurement leadership role at one of the UK's most significant infrastructure programmes - and to leave something lasting behind.
As Indirect Procurement Director, you will lead a substantial corporate procurement and contract management function, shaping how a nationally significant organisation engages with its suppliers, manages commercial risk and delivers value for money.
With responsibility for a procurement portfolio of around £2bn over the next four years and a team of approximately 40 people, this is a role with genuine scale, visibility and influence.
The opportunity is about more than delivering contracts.
It is about building capability, developing people, improving commercial discipline and creating a procurement function that stands the test of time.
The opportunity
- Sourcing & Contract Management - leading procurement activity and subsequent commercial and contract management across a significant corporate portfolio.
- Procurement Policy, Governance & Compliance - ensuring robust application of procurement legislation, government policy, governance and assurance requirements.
- Systems, MI & Reporting - strengthening procurement systems, insight and reporting for executive leadership, the Board and key government stakeholders.
Your portfolio will span areas including technology, facilities management, consultancy and professional services, with a particular opportunity to reshape how the organisation approaches high-demand professional and advisory services.
What you will do
- Lead a high-performing procurement and contract management function, developing capability, succession and a collaborative, customer-focused culture.
- Drive the implementation of category management, making greater use of strategic frameworks and creating a more proactive approach to market engagement.
- Oversee complex, high-value procurements and commercial negotiations from strategy and planning through to contract award and delivery.
- Strengthen supplier relationships and market engagement, particularly across consultancy, professional services, technology and other strategic categories.
- Provide assurance across procurement policies, processes, systems and standards.
- Improve visibility of the forward pipeline and encourage earlier engagement with stakeholders, reducing reactive procurement activity.
- Oversee contract management across a portfolio of approximately 200 contracts.
- Champion Equality, Diversity & Inclusion across the procurement function and supply chain.
- Help create a world-class procurement function recognised for its professionalism, commercial capability and supplier relationships.
This is not simply a BAU procurement leadership position.
The organisation is evolving, with changing priorities, stakeholders and requirements, creating an opportunity to move towards earlier business engagement, better pipeline management and a more strategic approach to demand.
You will therefore need to balance strategic transformation with hands-on delivery - providing the leadership and direction expected at this level while remaining close enough to the detail to influence outcomes.
What we're looking for
We are looking for an experienced senior procurement leader who has operated successfully at scale within a complex, regulated or highly governed environment. You will bring:
- Experience leading sizeable procurement teams and developing senior procurement professionals.
- Significant experience leading complex procurement and contract management portfolios
- Experience managing high-value, high-volume procurement across corporate and indirect categories.
- Deep understanding of UK procurement legislation, PA23, government procurement policy and regulated environments.
- Experience across categories such as technology, FM, consultancy and professional services.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to influence senior leaders and government stakeholders.
- The ability to operate strategically while retaining sufficient commercial and operational grip.
- Experience improving procurement policy, process, governance, systems and reporting.
- Strong supplier relationship management and commercial negotiation experience.
Why this role?
Because the opportunity extends far beyond the next procurement cycle.
You will be joining at a pivotal point in the organisation's evolution, with the opportunity to shape how corporate procurement operates, develop a talented team and establish commercial practices that create lasting value.
You will have the scale of £2bn of procurement activity, the leadership responsibility of a team of around 40, and the influence to shape how the organisation partners with its suppliers and stakeholders.
For an ambitious procurement leader, this is a chance to build something better, develop people, influence a nationally significant programme and leave a genuine legacy.
Location: Birmingham, hybrid working with approximately 3 days per week in the office.
London-based arrangements may also be considered.
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Indirect Procurement Director in Birmingham employer: 1st Executive
1st Executive is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Greater London, where innovation and collaboration thrive. With competitive daily rates and a strong focus on professional development, employees are encouraged to enhance their skills while managing high-value contracts that make a real impact. The company fosters a culture of inclusivity and support, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to the success of the infrastructure programme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Indirect Procurement Director in Birmingham
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like 1st Executive.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Indirect Procurement Director in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to 1st Executive:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to 1st Executive. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like 1st Executive.
How to prepare for a job interview at 1st Executive
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at 1st Executive!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at 1st Executive. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into 1st Executive's culture.
