At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement processes and frameworks in the public sector, ensuring value for money.
- Company: Join Crescent Purchasing Consortium, a charity dedicated to supporting education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, 30 days leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with ongoing training and support for professional development.
- 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.
Who are we? 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 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 30 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.
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 Ltd
Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises individual growth and development. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including 30 days of annual leave, and a commitment to reinvesting in the education sector, CPC offers a unique opportunity for Contracts Managers to make a meaningful impact while enjoying flexible working arrangements and comprehensive wellbeing support. Join us in our mission to provide outstanding procurement services and be part of a team that values your contributions and ideas.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager in Manchester
✨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 Crescent Purchasing Ltd.
✨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 Contracts Manager in Manchester
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 Crescent Purchasing Ltd:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Crescent Purchasing Ltd. 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 Crescent Purchasing Ltd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Crescent Purchasing Ltd
✨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 Crescent Purchasing Ltd!
✨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 Crescent Purchasing Ltd. 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 Crescent Purchasing Ltd's culture.
