Head of Procurement in Slough

The Head of Procurement will be responsible for ensuring that the Ark network achieves value for money in all areas of significant spend. They will implement effective procurement solutions that ensure pupils and staff are able to access equipment and services that meet their needs, are compliant with public sector procurement rules and provide value for money.

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Leadership and Value for Money: Own and deliver the Trust’s procurement strategy, defining which categories of spend are best managed centrally and which are delegated to schools. Identify and deliver significant savings by providing procurement solutions across all areas of material spend while improving service quality and outcomes for schools.
• Governance, Compliance and Assurance: Oversee all procurement tenders over £50,000, supporting and training schools to manage their own tenders where appropriate, whilst being responsible for central tenders over £50,000.
• Supplier, contract and framework management: Lead on key supplier management, including overseeing the control of new suppliers and the development of strategies to help manage preferred supplier networks throughout the group.
• Stakeholder engagement and network leadership: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including senior leaders in schools and central teams, suppliers and customers, acting as a trusted adviser on procurement matters. Represent the Trust externally, including participation in MAT procurement networks to look at ways large MATs can work together to share best practice.
• Team leadership, reporting and continuous improvement: Manage and develop the Procurement team, setting clear priorities and performance expectations. Report on procurement savings and efficiencies, including annual reporting to the Risk & Audit Committee and termly updates to the Management Team.

You will have:

• Degree level qualification or equivalent
• MCIPS or other relevant qualification in Procurement and Supply (Desirable)
• Significant experience in procurement leadership, ideally within a multi-site public sector, charity or education environment.
• Strong background in supplier relationship and contract management.
• Demonstrable experience managing tender processes, negotiating contracts, and delivering cost saving.
• Experience managing and developing a procurement team.

Benefits:

• Our flexible working model offers the best of both worlds, balancing in‑person collaboration, either in our state‑of‑the‑art West London office or through visits to our schools, with the flexibility of remote working.
• In addition to flexible working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad.
• Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 - 16.00, helping you prioritise your work-life balance and personal commitments.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays.
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year.
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to.
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform.
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests.

About Us:

Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Our network of 39 schools reaches traditionally underserved communities in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. We educate 30,000 pupils and have nearly 3,000 teaching staff across our network.

Diversity and inclusion: We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.

Safeguarding statement: Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.