At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement exercises and support strategies in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a major public sector organisation with a dynamic procurement team.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on procurement processes while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in public sector procurement and strong organisational skills required.
Interim Assistant Procurement Manager
Contract: Initial 6-month contract (with potential extension). Rate: £360 per day (Umbrella, Inside IR35). Location: Hybrid, with 50% office-based London. Client: Major Public Sector organisation.
An Interim Assistant Procurement Manager to join a busy and expanding Corporate Services procurement team within a large public sector organisation. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a fast‑paced, high‑volume commercial environment, delivering end‑to‑end procurement activity across a broad portfolio of low to medium complexity procurements (up to c.£5 million).
You will be part of a newly established category delivery model, providing the opportunity to influence ways of working, support continuous improvement and gain exposure to a wide range of procurement categories.
The Role
- You will independently manage a high volume of procurement exercises while receiving support from experienced professionals where required.
- Deliver end‑to‑end public sector procurement processes, including mini competitions, direct awards and contract variations.
- Support procurement strategies, governance papers and award documentation.
- Develop tender documentation, including Invitations to Tender (ITTs) and evaluation criteria.
- Manage tender exercises and coordinate evaluation panels.
- Maintain procurement records and use procurement systems.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders to prioritise workloads and meet delivery deadlines.
Requirements
- Proven experience delivering end‑to‑end public sector procurement exercises independently.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a high‑volume environment.
- Excellent commercial writing and documentation skills, including tender documentation and governance papers.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- Experience using eProcurement systems is desirable but not essential.
This is an urgent requirement. If interested, please apply as soon as possible and for any questions contact claire.shipman@1st-executive.com.
Interim Assistant Procurement Manager £360pd employer: 1st Executive
Join a dynamic and supportive team within a major public sector organisation, where your contributions as an Interim Assistant Procurement Manager will directly impact procurement strategies and processes. Enjoy a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance, alongside opportunities for professional growth in a fast-paced environment that values innovation and continuous improvement. With a focus on collaboration and stakeholder engagement, this role offers a unique chance to influence procurement practices while working with experienced professionals in London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Assistant Procurement Manager £360pd
✨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 Assistant Procurement Manager £360pd
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 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 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 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 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
✨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.
