At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT procurement for digital transformation in a fast-paced public sector environment.
- Company: Join a dynamic public sector team driving innovation and compliance.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with mentorship opportunities and career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape critical digital procurement strategies and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in public sector procurement and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 59576 - 70089 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced IT Procurement Lead - Digital, Data & Technology to lead a high-impact IT procurement portfolio within a fast-paced public sector transformation environment. This is a fantastic opportunity for a confident and credible procurement professional who thrives at the intersection of technology, commercial strategy and public sector governance, and who can balance compliant procurement delivery with pace, innovation and stakeholder influence.
You will lead sourcing activity across hardware, software, cloud, telecoms and IT professional services, ensuring all procurement activity is fully aligned to the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and PCR15 principles where applicable, delivering value for money, transparency, fairness and robust commercial outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end procurement activity across the DD&T category, including complex sourcing, RFP design, tender execution, evaluation, negotiation and contract award.
- Develop and release RFPs and manage full tender processes in line with PA23 compliant routes to market and established public sector frameworks.
- Ensure all procurement activity is fully compliant, well governed and auditable, maintaining strong controls around risk, approvals and governance.
- Produce clear, commercially robust sourcing recommendations, ensuring governance panels and stakeholders receive transparent and well-supported decision-making information.
- Manage a portfolio of strategic IT and digital transformation programmes, ensuring procurement activity aligns with wider organisational technology and change road maps.
- Drive category strategy development across DD&T, identifying opportunities for cost optimisation, supplier performance improvement and long-term value creation.
- Maintain and develop a structured sourcing pipeline, ensuring effective prioritisation of demand across competing programmes.
- Provide commercial leadership and procurement expertise across major digital transformation initiatives, system implementations and cloud-related programmes.
- Lead supplier engagement and selection processes, including negotiation of complex commercial and contractual arrangements.
- Act as a key interface between IT leadership, Finance, Legal, suppliers and wider business stakeholders.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities within procurement governance, processes and compliance frameworks.
Stakeholder & Leadership Focus
- Partner closely with CIO, DD&T leadership, Finance, Legal and senior business stakeholders to align procurement strategy with digital and technology road maps.
- Operate with credibility and gravitas in senior stakeholder environments, influencing decision-making and challenging constructively where required.
- Lead and support procurement colleagues and managed service provider (MSP) teams, ensuring strong performance, clear direction and delivery accountability.
- Provide mentorship and coaching to support capability development across the wider procurement function.
About You
- Strong experience in public sector procurement, ideally within regulated or central government environments.
- Deep knowledge of IT, Digital and Technology procurement categories.
- Hands-on experience with PA23 and/or PCR15 compliant procurement processes and frameworks.
- Proven ability to run complex end-to-end tenders and manage compliant routes to market.
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation capability.
- Confidence operating in fast-paced transformation or change environments.
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders with authority and clarity.
- A collaborative and personable approach with natural gravitas and influence.
- A pragmatic approach to balancing compliance, pace and commercial outcomes.
This is a high-profile opportunity to shape and deliver critical digital and technology procurement activity within a major public sector transformation programme. You will play a key role in ensuring procurement not only remains compliant, but actively enables modernisation, innovation and value delivery across DD&T services.
Interim IT Procurement Lead - Inside IR35 (Public Sector) in London employer: Cedar Recruitment
Join a leading technology-based business that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work culture where your expertise in indirect tax will be highly regarded. With a focus on employee growth, you will have access to professional development opportunities and the chance to work with cutting-edge AI and automation tools. Located in a vibrant area, this role not only provides a competitive salary but also the chance to make a significant impact within a high-profile team known for its excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim IT Procurement Lead - Inside IR35 (Public Sector) in London
✨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 IT Procurement Lead - Inside IR35 (Public Sector) in London
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 Cedar Recruitment 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, Cedar Recruitment 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 Cedar Recruitment 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 Cedar Recruitment 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 Cedar Recruitment
✨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.
