At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in strategic procurement and deliver high-value projects.
- Company: High-profile public sector organisation in Birmingham City Centre.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and impactful role.
- Other info: Initial 6-month contract with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a difference in procurement while enhancing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior procurement roles and strong team management skills.
We are recruiting for an experienced Senior Procurement Manager to join a high-profile public sector organisation on an initial 6-month contract. This role offers the opportunity to lead a team of procurement professionals, drive strategic procurement activity, and deliver complex, high-value projects across a diverse portfolio. You will play a key role in enhancing procurement performance, embedding best practice, and supporting strategic transformation initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team of procurement professionals, setting objectives, supporting development, and driving performance.
- Deliver end-to-end procurement activity across multiple projects and categories.
- Develop and implement procurement strategies that maximise value for money and ensure compliance.
- Act as a procurement lead across business areas, managing stakeholder relationships and expectations.
- Ensure compliance with public sector procurement regulations, governance, and financial controls.
- Drive continuous improvement and promote best practice procurement across the organisation.
- Manage a pipeline of tender activity and oversee multiple workstreams simultaneously.
- Support the delivery of social value objectives through procurement activities.
- Provide expert advice to senior stakeholders and contribute to boards/committees where required.
Key Requirements
- Proven experience operating at Senior Procurement Manager level (or similar).
- Strong team management experience, including leading and developing high-performing teams.
- Extensive experience working within the public sector and knowledge of procurement regulations (PCR / UK procurement legislation).
- Demonstrable experience delivering complex procurement projects end-to-end.
- Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence at senior level.
- Commercially astute with strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
- Experience using e-tendering systems and procurement tools.
Desirable
- MCIPS (or working towards).
- Experience within large, complex or regulated organisations.
Working Arrangement
Hybrid: 2 days per week in Birmingham City Centre.
Interim Senior Procurement Manager in Birmingham employer: Hays HR
Join a high-profile public sector organisation in Birmingham City Centre as an Interim Senior Procurement Manager, where you will lead a dynamic team and drive strategic procurement initiatives. Enjoy a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance, alongside opportunities for professional development and the chance to make a significant impact on procurement performance and social value objectives. With a commitment to best practices and compliance, this role offers a rewarding environment for those looking to advance their careers in procurement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Senior Procurement Manager in Birmingham
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Senior Procurement Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Hays HR that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Hays HR can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Hays HR that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Hays HR know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays HR
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
