Procurement Manager in Milton Keynes

About us
At Exchange for Change, we are building something the UK has never had before. Working across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, we are designing and delivering a Deposit Return Scheme from the ground up, creating a system that helps reduce litter and waste by encouraging people to return their empty drinks bottles and cans for recycling. We are industry led, and driven by purpose. A national movement with a clear mission. No bottle unreturned. No can left behind. This is not just another job. This is a rare opportunity to do meaningful work, shape a landmark national programme, and help deliver lasting positive impact for people, businesses and the planet alike.

Your role
Reporting to the Head of Commercial, this newly created Procurement Manager position offers a unique opportunity to shape, establish and manage the organisation’s procurement function, ensuring that all procurement activities align with the organisation’s mission, values, and regulatory obligations. This role is pivotal in building internal robust procurement processes from the ground up, driving cost efficiency while ensuring transparency, fairness, and ethical sourcing. The role involves developing procurement policies, systems, and governance frameworks that comply with relevant funding requirements and regulatory standards. The Procurement Manager will lead supplier sourcing, contract negotiation, and supplier relationship management, ensuring value for money and risk mitigation across all expenditure. Working closely with finance, operations, marketing, IT and programme teams, the role ensures that procurement supports service delivery effectively, balancing cost control with quality and social impact. The Procurement Manager plays a key role in embedding sustainable and socially responsible procurement practices, reflecting the organisation’s non-profit purpose. Additionally, the role is responsible for building internal capability by guiding stakeholders on procurement best practices, ensuring compliance, and fostering a culture of accountability. In a start-up environment, the Procurement Manager must be adaptable and proactive, contributing to organisational growth while maintaining strong governance and control over spending.

Key Responsibilities & Priorities

• Support with the build and creation of a Procurement Function: Support with the design and implementation of procurement policies, procedures, and governance frameworks from scratch. Ensure alignment with regulations and organisational standards. Enhance and create further procurement templates and approval processes.
• Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management: Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers aligned with value-for-money and social impact principles. Lead and support sourcing exercises, tendering, and contract negotiations. Build and manage supplier relationships to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance.
• Cost Management & Value Delivery: Drive cost efficiency while maintaining quality and service delivery standards. Ensure optimal use of budgets. Identify opportunities for savings and operational efficiencies.
• Governance, Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure procurement activities comply with legal, regulatory, and funding requirements. Establish robust audit trails and documentation. Identify and mitigate commercial and supply risks.
• Contract Management: Develop and manage contracts, ensuring clear terms, performance measures, and accountability. Monitor supplier performance and manage renewals, variations, and disputes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with internal teams to understand a pipeline of requirements. Provide procurement guidance and support across the organisation. Act as a trusted advisor on purchasing decisions.

About you
Proven track record of establishing and developing procurement functions within new or evolving organisations. Strong expertise in building procurement frameworks, processes, and governance from the ground up. Ability to develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with organisational objectives and best practice. Experience operating in dynamic, fast-paced environments, ideally within start-ups or newly established organisations. Adaptable, resilient, and proactive, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and introduce structure and efficiency as procurement processes mature. CIPS Level 5 or 6 (or MCIPS) – desirable but not essential. Degree in Business, Procurement/Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related discipline. MBA – advantageous but not essential. Experience developing multi-year category strategies. Ownership of the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle. Experience in make-versus-buy analysis, should-cost modelling, and value engineering. Proven contract negotiation skills, including complex, multi-year agreements. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables and financial modelling.

The opportunity
Work that makes a difference - and a place where you can too. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help establish a scheme of national importance, working with purpose-driven colleagues and partners to deliver visible, real-world impact. You’ll contribute directly to meaningful environmental and social change and in return, we support and reward our team through a range of benefits and initiatives, including:

• Competitive base salary
• Bonus scheme
• 34 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays, additional holidays for length of service
• Flexibility with holidays. You may work on a local public holiday and take an alternative day off, giving you the freedom to celebrate the days that matter most to you.
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Life Insurance: Cover of 4 times base salary
• Private Medical Insurance: Includes GP access and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for wellbeing support
• Income protection
• Family Leave: Maternity, adoption, parental, and paternity leave policies will be developed to be progressive and inclusive.
• Hybrid Working: 60% office or field-based and 40% home-based, with some flexibility according to business and personal needs.