Hybrid Working | West London
Shape Procurement Across One of the UK's Leading Multi-Academy Trusts
Allen Lane is delighted to be partnering with Ark, one of the country's most successful and influential education charities, to recruit a Head of Procurement.
This is a rare opportunity to lead and develop procurement across a network of 39 schools serving over 30,000 pupils. Reporting into senior leadership, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring every pound spent delivers value for money while supporting Ark's mission to provide an excellent education for all children, regardless of background.
As Head of Procurement, you will lead the Trust's procurement strategy, driving commercial excellence, compliance and innovation across a diverse range of spend categories. Working closely with school leaders and central teams, you will ensure procurement activity not only delivers significant financial savings but also improves outcomes for schools, staff and pupils.
The Opportunity
This is a highly visible leadership role with responsibility for shaping procurement strategy across a large and complex organisation. You will determine which categories are best managed centrally and where schools should retain local autonomy, balancing commercial effectiveness with operational flexibility.
You will oversee all significant tendering activity, lead supplier relationship management, drive procurement transformation initiatives and develop procurement best practice across the network. Alongside this, you will manage and develop a small procurement team while acting as a trusted commercial adviser to stakeholders across the organisation.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on educational outcomes by ensuring resources are deployed as effectively as possible.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver Ark's procurement strategy across the Trust.
- Identify and implement procurement solutions that deliver measurable savings and improved service quality.
- Lead and oversee all procurement exercises above £50,000, ensuring compliance with public sector procurement regulations.
- Manage key supplier relationships and develop a robust preferred supplier framework.
- Provide strategic procurement advice to school and central leadership teams.
- Build strong internal and external stakeholder relationships across the education sector.
- Represent Ark within Multi-Academy Trust procurement networks and sector forums.
- Lead, coach and develop the procurement team.
- Monitor and report procurement savings, efficiencies and performance to senior leadership and governance committees.
About You
We are keen to hear from procurement professionals who combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to delivery.
You will bring:
- Significant procurement leadership experience, ideally gained within education, the wider public sector, charity sector or another complex multi-site organisation.
- A strong track record of delivering commercial value, cost savings and procurement transformation.
- Extensive experience leading tender exercises and contract negotiations.
- Strong supplier relationship and contract management expertise.
- Experience developing and leading high-performing procurement teams.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the credibility to influence at senior level.
- MCIPS qualification, degree-level education or equivalent professional experience would be advantageous.
Why Join Ark?
Ark is more than a school network. As an education charity, its mission is to ensure every child has access to a great education and real choices in life. With 48 schools across Birmingham, Hastings, London, Pontefract and Portsmouth, Ark has established itself as one of the UK's leading Multi-Academy Trusts.
Alongside a compelling purpose, Ark offers an excellent benefits package including:
- Hybrid working with a minimum of two days per week in West London.
- Flexible working and flexitime arrangements.
- Up to 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closure.
- Generous pension contribution of up to 11%.
- Access to Ark Rewards, including retail discounts, gym membership savings and interest-free travel loans.
- The option to work remotely from elsewhere in the UK or abroad for up to 10 working days per year.
Interviews: Week commencing 16 November
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Head of Procurement in London employer: Allen Lane Limited
Allen Lane Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration within the healthcare sector. Employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities, competitive remuneration, and the chance to make a significant impact on healthcare improvement at a national level. Located in a vibrant area, the company fosters a supportive environment where strategic thinkers can thrive and contribute to meaningful change.
