At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement transformation and design a centralised system for our community-focused charity.
- Company: Join Horizon Leisure Centres, a dynamic trust passionate about health and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy free gym access, employee discounts, healthcare plans, and generous leave policies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community outcomes while developing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: AAT, CIPS, or relevant experience in procurement with strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for training, development, and progression.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 53200 £ per year.
Hours: 37.5 per week
Location: Havant Leisure Centre
Salary: £38,000
Looking for a workplace that ignites your passion, values respect, encourages innovation, and embraces being dynamic? This role offers you the opportunity to join a team that believes in empowering its colleagues to unlock their full potential with Horizon.
Horizon Leisure Centres is a leisure trust operating since 1997, with centres in Waterlooville, Havant and Guildford. We are passionate about health and wellbeing and are committed to making an outstanding positive impact on our customers and within our local community. Our mission is to support and inspire our local communities to live healthier and happier lives by providing affordable access to sport and leisure facilities to all.
We are seeking a procurement professional who is motivated by transformation and continuous improvement, someone who can bring structure, challenge established ways of working and deliver demonstrable value that directly benefits our communities. This is not a routine purchasing role. It is an opportunity to design and embed a fit-for-purpose procurement framework that will have a visible and lasting impact across the organisation, enabling more of our resources to be directed toward frontline services and community outcomes.
You must lead a critical procurement transformation project with organisation-wide visibility, working within our Project Portfolio Management framework, rationalise suppliers, improve contract terms, and deliver measurable cost savings and operational efficiencies. You will work as part of a committed Finance team within a dynamic, community-focused charity where your impact is tangible.
What does the role involve?
- Design and implement a centralised procurement system covering all sites.
- Contract lifecycle ownership, maintaining an effective contract register with renewal alerts.
- Embed a system to measure supplier performance.
- Review and analyse current supplier arrangements and spend, rationalising the supplier base and renegotiating contracts to secure best value.
- Review lease, rental, and equipment agreements (including gym equipment) and support future tenders to ensure value for money.
- Establish clear procurement processes for pricing reviews, approvals, and reporting to strengthen transparency and control.
- Work collaboratively with site teams to embed consistent procurement practices without disrupting day-to-day operations.
- Identify cost-saving and efficiency opportunities and deliver measurable financial and operational benefits that support Horizon’s charitable objectives.
- Develop, implement, and maintain procurement policies aligned with best practice, governance requirements, and sustainability objectives.
- Embed effective purchase order and approval workflows through the accounting system to improve cost control, auditability, and accountability.
- Ensure procurement activity complies with Finance Regulations, including requirements for quotations, tenders, and supporting business cases.
Skills and competencies
- Proactive, solutions-focused, and results-driven team player.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of change initiatives.
- Strong communication skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and build consensus.
- Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines.
- Strong attention to detail combined with a pragmatic, commercial mindset.
- Logical and analytical problem-solving capability.
- Professional judgment and sound decision-making skills.
- Collaborative team player with the confidence to work autonomously where required.
Your Qualifications
- AAT, CIPS, business-related degree, or equivalent professional qualification (or significant relevant experience).
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) or equivalent productivity software.
Your Experience
- Proven experience establishing or significantly improving procurement systems in a multi-site environment.
- Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret data and translate it into practical procurement strategies.
- Demonstrable experience negotiating with suppliers and managing contracts.
- Ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
- Experience within leisure, facilities management, public sector, or charitable organisations (desirable).
- Understanding of sustainable and ethical procurement principles.
- Familiarity with legal, regulatory, and tendering frameworks.
- Basic accounting knowledge to interpret financial statements, manage budgets, apply cost-control principles, and have a cost-conscious behaviour to be able to demonstrate ability to optimize spending and identify cost-saving opportunities.
What you can expect from us
- A comprehensive induction and training programme; you don’t need to have worked in the leisure industry before. We will teach you all you need to know!
- Support from the wider team who have a great deal of combined knowledge and experience and who are eager to help you succeed!
- Variety; no two days is the same!
- An environment that encourages innovation and free thinking, surrounded by really dynamic, empowered individuals.
Benefits
- Free access to our award-winning gym’s and exercise classes for you and a +1.
- Employee discounts and wellbeing platform.
- Healthcare Cash plan.
- Free 24/7 access to GPs using our SmartHealth plan.
- Employee Assistance Programme - support for when you need it most.
- 23 days annual leave + 8 days bank holiday.
- Holiday purchase scheme.
- Internal recognition schemes.
- Opportunities for training, development and progression.
- Free onsite parking - subject to availability.
- Hybrid and family friendly policies.
- Generous company sick pay scheme.
- Employee referral scheme.
- Company pension scheme.
- Death in service benefit.
- And much more....
This role will be based at Havant but will be expected to travel to other company site as the need requires.
The recruiting manager will review your CV and if shortlisted, you will be invited to a formal interview/assessment process where we will evaluate your suitability for the role. There may be times when due to the volume of applicants the vacancy may close early to avoid disappointment, so please apply promptly.
If you are a recruitment agency, please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls.
Procurement Lead in Havant employer: Horizon Leisure Centres
Contact Detail:
Horizon Leisure Centres Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Lead in Havant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Horizon Leisure Centres thoroughly. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your skills can help them achieve their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. This will help you articulate your experience and demonstrate how you can lead procurement transformation effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our dynamic team at Horizon.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Lead in Havant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Procurement Lead role. Highlight your achievements in procurement transformation and any relevant experience in multi-site environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission at Horizon. Be specific about your experience with supplier negotiations and contract management.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical capabilities, include examples of how you've used data to drive procurement strategies. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Horizon Leisure Centres
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on procurement principles and practices, especially those related to multi-site environments. Be ready to discuss how you've improved procurement systems in the past and how you can apply that knowledge to Horizon's needs.
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical capabilities. Bring examples of how you've interpreted data to create practical procurement strategies. This role is all about delivering measurable cost savings, so be ready to talk numbers!
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Think about times when you've had to influence stakeholders or challenge established ways of working. Practise articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, as you'll need to build consensus across teams.
✨Embrace the Community Focus
Horizon is all about making a positive impact in the community. Be prepared to discuss how your procurement strategies can support their charitable objectives. Show that you're not just about cost savings, but also about enhancing community wellbeing.