Procurement and Contracts Manager in Kettering

Location: Flexible with some travel to the Kettering Office

Join us in Opening Minds, Opening Doors! Are you ready to step into a rewarding role within one of our dynamic national teams? Whether your expertise lies in Finance, Estates, IT, Operations, or People, we believe in harnessing innovation and collaboration to drive excellence across our trust. We are excited to welcome passionate professionals who want to make a meaningful impact.

Our national teams play a vital role in supporting academies across England. You’ll join a dedicated network that helps shape the educational experience of thousands of children - because their success is at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for a Procurement and Contracts Manager to provide a proactive procurement and contract management service ensuring value for money throughout the contract lifecycle and compliance with public sector procurement obligations, regulations and best practice.

• Lead and execute procurement tenders for high value and trust wide contracts to support the Trusts category led procurement approach, ensuring legal compliance, risk management value for money and delivery of what is required.
• Advise and support colleagues with procurement activities, ensuring adherence to policy, standards and procedures are followed, known risks are managed and, specification of requirements is clear.
• Provide procurement services to internal stakeholders to ensure procurement and contract management standards are met including evaluation moderation service, support with supplier feedback and contract documentation.
• Support contract management, to ensure effective delivery of goods, services and works, meeting contractual obligations and identifying and managing risks.
• Support strategic supplier relationships by monitoring performance, driving value and innovation, ensuring contract compliance, mitigating risks, and aligning with financial and operational controls.

Pay range: SCP 35-39 £46,142 - £50,269, 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, Permanent.

• CIPS qualification.
• Contract management experience.
• Analytical and problem solving skills.
• Must be fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills.

What are we about? Join a trust that is going places! At E-ACT, we believe every child deserves opportunity. Our ‘Opening Minds, Opening Doors’ strategy breaks down barriers and builds pathways to success; driven by purposeful leadership, collaboration, and innovation. We champion diversity, encourage a people-first culture, and ensure every voice is heard.

We are proud to lead system-wide change both locally and nationally - providing sector-wide support while transforming futures. Our achievements are recognised through winning MAT of the Year 2023 at the MAT Excellence Awards and National School Awards, and also the TES Trust Leadership Award 2024. E-ACT is recognised for shaping bold educational outcomes.

With 38 academies and over 25,000 pupils, our dedicated staff make excellence possible. We prioritise wellbeing, tackle workload, and continuously raise the bar. We don’t just educate, we inspire ambition and empower every child to thrive.

• Financial and Lifestyle: We offer a strong financial package including access to defined benefit pension schemes (LGPS or TPS), life cover at three times pensionable pay, and 31 days of annual leave for year-round employees. Staff can also benefit from the Cycle to Work scheme, promoting healthy and sustainable commuting.
• Professional Growth and Development: We invest heavily in staff development through tailored INSET days and high-quality CPD opportunities. Teaching staff benefit from automatic TLR progression, a structured 9-point pay scale (M1 to UPS3), and full TLR payments for part-time colleagues fulfilling full responsibilities.
• Culture and Wellbeing: Our people-first culture values every colleague. We support wellbeing through the Wisdom app and a free Employee Assistance Programme offering counselling and financial advice. Collaboration is at the heart of our Trust, encouraging shared learning and collective success.

Please look at our 'Work for Us' page and Recruitment Pack for more information. E-ACT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references. E-ACT is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.