At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement activities, drive strategic sourcing, and enhance supplier relationships.
- Company: Join South Ribble Borough Council, dedicated to improving community quality of life.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, hybrid working, healthcare cash plan, and free parking.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local governance while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree, CIPS Diploma, and 3 years of relevant experience required.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Shared Procurement Team serving both Chorley Council and South Ribble Borough Council. We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and forward-thinking Procurement Manager to lead a dedicated team committed to delivering a high-quality, customer-focused, and proactive procurement service. Procurement plays a critical role in supporting the successful delivery of key strategic priorities and projects across both councils, ensuring compliance, value for money, and positive outcomes for our communities.
The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic, positive and confident leader with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels. You will be expected to provide professional advice, challenge constructively where appropriate, and drive continuous improvement across procurement activities.
Who we’re looking for:
- You will hold a degree or formal management qualification.
- You will hold a CIPS Diploma.
- You will have a minimum of 3 years relevant experience.
- Strong management experience.
- You will have experience of working within a local authority/public sector setting.
- You will have excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team to deliver excellent services.
What you will be getting up to:
In this pivotal leadership role, you will lead and oversee end-to-end procurement activity across both Councils, driving strategic sourcing, commercial excellence, and continuous improvement while strengthening supplier relationships and contract management practices across the organisation. You will play a key role in shaping and delivering a modern, forward-thinking procurement service, developing procurement strategy, systems, policies, and training programmes, and leading a high-performing Corporate Procurement Team recognised as a centre of excellence.
With overall responsibility for procurement governance, legislative compliance, and professional standards, you will ensure that all procurement activity is solution-focused, delivers best value, and complies with relevant legislative, regulatory, and constitutional requirements. You will provide professional assurance, advice, and accountability to the Senior Management Team and Elected Members.
You will lead the development and embedding of effective contract management practices across both Councils, working collaboratively with all Directorates to maximise contract performance, realise benefits, manage risk, and secure value throughout the contract lifecycle. The role also includes representing the Councils at regional and national forums, partnerships, and collaborative initiatives to promote innovation, identify opportunities for shared working, and maximise value for the organisation.
In addition, you will oversee spend analysis, procurement performance reporting, market intelligence, and service improvement initiatives, while personally leading complex, high-value, and high-risk procurement projects that support the Councils’ strategic objectives and priorities. We are looking for a commercially astute and resilient professional with a flexible and proactive approach, who thrives in a fast-paced and challenging environment and is able to balance strategic leadership with operational delivery.
Our Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (and Christmas shutdown).
- Hybrid/agile working from day one.
- Car Allowance (6%).
- Local Government pension.
- Healthcare Cash Plan for cash back on health treatments.
- Cashback website access for savings on brands you love.
- Volunteering days.
- Free parking.
About Us:
At South Ribble Council, our mission is to provide a first-class service and improve the quality of life for our communities. Our staff are our greatest resource in helping us achieve this. They’re at the heart of everything we do and are crucial to the delivery of excellent services.
Working Together:
We share a number of our services with Chorley Council. This allows for improved resilience across both councils and provides numerous benefits to our operations. Whilst some staff and back-end processes are shared between the Councils, both Councils still retain sovereignty and have separate strategies and corporate plans.
Equal Opportunities:
We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to the elimination of unfair and unlawful discrimination and prejudice in all our policies, procedures, and practices. We’re committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process, please contact us via the "Contact Us" page on our website. If you are disabled or your last employer was the armed forces, and you meet all the essential criteria of a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Procurement Manager in Chorley employer: Chorley Council and South Ribble Counci
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Contact Details:
Chorley Council and South Ribble Counci Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager in Chorley
✨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 Chorley Council and South Ribble Counci.
✨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 Procurement Manager in Chorley
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 Chorley Council and South Ribble Counci:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Chorley Council and South Ribble Counci. 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 Chorley Council and South Ribble Counci.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chorley Council and South Ribble Counci
✨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 Chorley Council and South Ribble Counci!
✨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 Chorley Council and South Ribble Counci. 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 Chorley Council and South Ribble Counci's culture.
