At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement processes and frameworks in the public sector, ensuring value for money.
- Company: Join a not-for-profit charity dedicated to supporting the education sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, 27 days leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities for training and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in public sector procurement and knowledge of relevant legislation required.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 41000 € per year.
Are you an experienced Procurement professional with public sector experience looking for an exciting new role? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Contracts Manager to join our expanding team and organisation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and we are interested in you as an individual. We are looking for a highly organised professional with a positive attitude, dedicated to achieving excellence in public sector procurement.
Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) is a not-for-profit charity that gives back to the education sector and a one-stop procurement shop, with a vision of being the first-choice procurement services charity that gives back to the education sector. Combining professional support, expert guidance, and resources with FREE training and development opportunities via Crescent Learning.
CPC provides a range of services which include 80+ compliant frameworks, with several approved by the Department for Education (DfE), consultancy services which can aid with every aspect of an institution's procurement journey from facilitating flexible procurement outsourcing, five days a week, to designing a strategic procurement package to maximise your savings.
Each year CPC's Board of Trustees review the level of reserves our charity has and any surpluses are reinvested back into the education sector via the 'Giving Back' initiative. To date over £2 million has been designated for re-investment in the form of various projects with the largest amount being used specifically for awarding non-refundable grants to CPC members supporting SEND learners, wellbeing and absenteeism in colleges, schools, academies, and universities nationwide.
What makes us different? We're an award-winning organisation recognised and certified as a “Great place to work”. We offer a collaborative, exciting environment where your ideas are heard and valued. We provide competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for career development. We're making a real difference and you can be a part of it!
This is just the beginning, we're constantly growing and evolving and we're always looking for passionate individuals who share our Vision, Mission and Values:
- CPC’s Vision: to be the first-choice procurement services charity that gives back to the education sector.
- CPC’s Mission: we want our members to receive outstanding procurement services.
- CPC’s Values:
- People First - We provide a caring, inclusive, and supporting environment that focuses on individual needs to enable our people to be the best they can be.
- Customer Always - Everything we do is for the benefit of our customers, to help them provide the best service possible to their learners.
- Excellence - We are 100% committed to delivering the highest-quality services that exceed expectations, with continuous improvement at the heart of what we do.
You will join the Contracting Team, which recently restructured into three broad categories, People, Place and Product. You will be responsible for, amongst other duties and assigned agreements, managing the complexity and demands of CPC’s highly successful Building Cleaning and other associated “Place” related frameworks. The Building Cleaning framework is one of our strategically important services and will require you to manage any risk, relationships and service levels, so our members receive value for money.
CPC agreements cover a wide variety of supplies, works and services, and we aim to continue to develop this portfolio in line with our members' needs. CPC currently offers 88 unique agreements to its membership, which recently exceeded 10,000 institutions from across the UK education sector.
Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will be responsible for the delivery of the whole procurement cycle from business planning, pre-market engagement, end-to-end tendering, contract management, stakeholder engagement and managing the overall performance of your allocated framework.
You will also provide mentoring support to the Senior Procurement Officers & Procurement Officers as well as providing a full and professional procurement service to all members, covering the acquisition of any goods or services under Framework Agreements and Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS).
Person Specification
We seek a candidate who has extensive procurement experience within the public sector. Ideally, you will have a detailed working knowledge of public sector procurement legislation and experience of working in the education sector. You can develop and tender high value framework and contracts and support members and clients to define requirements and set specifications. The ideal candidate will be able to support members and clients to determine contractual requirements and embed them into the tender and award process. Candidates working towards CIPS or demonstrating suitable alternative qualifications and/or experience will be required for this role.
If you are a skilled and experienced procurement professional with the ability to deliver all aspects of this role, then we would love to hear from you.
Salary and Benefits
In return for your dedication to the role you will receive a salary between £38,000 - £41,000 FTE, dependant on experience. Additionally, you will be joining a charity which:
- Is owned and overseen by the Further Education sector, with a great charity ethos and a developed programme of ‘giving back’ to the communities in which it is based and which it supports.
- Offers a discretionary annual bonus of up to £3,000.
- Offers 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and an additional three days’ Christmas period closure).
- Offers the opportunity to join a Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Offers flexible and agile working patterns with homeworking opportunities. The successful candidate must be willing to work at least 2 days at the Head Office in Salford.
- Free car parking is available within the grounds of the office and the office is a short walk from local transport links.
- Provides a comprehensive induction through the initial probationary period, together with support for ongoing training & development, designed to help you be the best you can be.
- Provides funding to achieve full MCIPS qualification and ongoing CIPS membership fees payment.
- Offers a comprehensive wellbeing support package, including a fully-funded EAP, mental health first-aid, and annual volunteering opportunities.
Next Steps
If the above sounds interesting, please click through to our careers site for further information about this role at www.thecpc.ac.uk/careers.
CPC is an Equal Opportunities Employer and committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at every level. We welcome and encourage all applications and we believe that having a diverse workforce with different perspectives and ideas is fundamental to our values.
The closing date for written applications is Sunday 7th June 2026.
Contracts Manager in Manchester employer: Crescent Purchasing Consortium
Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment where your contributions are valued. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including 27 days of annual leave, and a commitment to employee development through funding for professional qualifications, CPC offers a meaningful career path in public sector procurement. Located in Salford, the organisation not only supports the education sector but also prioritises employee wellbeing and community engagement, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
Contact Detail:
Crescent Purchasing Consortium Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field, especially those who have experience in the public sector. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching CPC and its values. Understand their mission of giving back to the education sector and think about how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your extensive procurement experience can benefit CPC. Highlight specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to manage complex frameworks and deliver value for money.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our amazing team at CPC.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Contracts Manager role. Highlight your public sector procurement experience and how it aligns with CPC's mission and values. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills have made a difference in previous roles. Use specific examples that reflect your ability to manage complex frameworks and deliver excellent service to members.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value individuality and want to know what makes you unique. Share your passion for procurement and how you can help us achieve excellence at CPC.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our careers site. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with CPC!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crescent Purchasing Consortium
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on public sector procurement legislation and the specific frameworks CPC uses. Familiarise yourself with their mission and values, as this will show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous procurement experiences, especially those related to the education sector. Be ready to provide examples of how you've managed contracts and frameworks, and how you've delivered value for money in past roles.
✨Engage with Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about CPC's future projects or how they measure success in their procurement processes. It shows you're engaged and thinking critically about the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
CPC values collaboration, so be prepared to talk about how you've worked effectively in teams. Share examples of mentoring or supporting colleagues, as this aligns with their focus on a caring and inclusive environment.
