At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and partner with teams to drive value and innovation.
- Company: Dynamic ISP focused on education and professional services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a team committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while supporting educational success.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Job Description
- ISP Divisional Procurement Lead - Europe
- Purpose of Role
Lead procurement across an ISP division while owning the Professional Services category strategy.
The role combines regional procurement leadership, stakeholder partnership and operational support with global category management responsibility for consultancy, legal, marketing, technology and systems integration partners, recruitment and other professional services.
The role drives value, governance, supplier performance, risk management and stakeholder satisfaction while ensuring divisional requirements are effectively represented in wider procurement strategies.
- ISP Divisional Procurement Lead Key Responsibilities
- .
- Own and develop Professional Services category strategies while supporting divisional procurement priorities across a wider portfolio of indirect and technology spend.
- Partner with divisional leadership teams, school operators and functional leaders to understand business requirements and translate them into sourcing strategies.
Develop and execute category plans that deliver savings, cost avoidance, supplier innovation, demand management and risk reduction.
- Act as the senior procurement point of contact for the division, providing advice and support on local procurement queries, escalations and sourcing activities.
- Lead complex sourcing, tendering, negotiation and contracting activities for high-value and strategic professional services engagements.
- Establish supplier segmentation, governance and performance management processes for key service providers.
- Drive compliance with procurement policies, delegated authorities and contracting standards.
- Challenge demand, specifications and ways of working to ensure external spend is necessary, appropriately scoped and commercially optimised.
- Support annual budgeting, forecasting and spend planning through detailed category and supplier insights.
- Work with Legal, Finance, HR, IT and Marketing teams to manage commercial and contractual risk.
- Identify opportunities to aggregate demand across regions and leverage global scale while balancing local business needs.
- Develop market intelligence on professional services sectors and advise stakeholders on emerging risks, trends and opportunities.
- Monitor supplier diversity, ESG and ethical sourcing considerations where relevant.
- Support procurement capability development across the division and coach stakeholders on best practice sourcing and supplier management.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
- Demonstrated ability to operate as a strategic procurement business partner, balancing stakeholder priorities with commercial, risk and governance outcomes.
- Extensive procurement experience with strong indirect procurement knowledge, including Professional Services and related corporate spend categories.
- Demonstrable experience managing spend across multiple professional services categories such as consultancy, legal, marketing, recruitment, technology services and systems integration is desirable.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with the ability to work successfully across multiple countries, cultures and seniority levels.
- Experience balancing strategic category leadership with hands-on operational procurement support.
- Strong commercial, contractual and negotiation capabilities with a track record of delivering measurable value.
- Experience leading complex sourcing projects and competitive tender processes.
- Ability to analyse spend, identify opportunities and translate data into actionable procurement strategies.
- Knowledge of supplier relationship management, performance management and risk management methodologies.
- Excellent communication, presentation and facilitation skills.
- Able to operate independently in a fast-paced, geographically dispersed environment.
- Strong financial acumen and understanding of total cost of ownership and value creation principles.
- Experience working within matrix organisations and influencing without direct authority.
- CIPS qualification or equivalent procurement qualification desirable.
- Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience desirable.
- ISP Principles
Begin with our children and students .
Our children and students are at the heart of what we do.
Simply, their success is our success.
Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning.
Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
Treat everyone with care and respect . We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
Operate effectively.
We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
Are financially responsible.
We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
Learn continuously.
Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.
ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.
ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics.
Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.
Divisional Procurement Lead - Europe in London employer: International Schools Partnership
As a Delivery & Solutions Manager at our organisation, you will thrive in a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the success and well-being of our children and students. We offer robust professional development opportunities, ensuring you grow alongside your career while contributing to meaningful technology initiatives. Located in a dynamic environment, our commitment to safeguarding and continuous improvement makes us an exceptional employer for those seeking impactful and rewarding work.
Contact Details:
International Schools Partnership Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Divisional Procurement Lead - Europe in London
✨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 International Schools Partnership.
✨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 Divisional Procurement Lead - Europe in London
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 International Schools Partnership:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to International Schools Partnership. 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 International Schools Partnership.
How to prepare for a job interview at International Schools Partnership
✨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 International Schools Partnership!
✨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 International Schools Partnership. 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 International Schools Partnership's culture.
