At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global procurement transformation and enhance operational excellence across our schools.
- Company: Join a dynamic international education organisation committed to continuous improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on educational excellence while driving sustainability and ethical sourcing.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement operations and change management within a global context.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
ISP is seeking an experienced, dynamic Procurement Operations Lead to lead the continuous evolution of our global procurement function. This role is pivotal in driving procurement transformation, digital enablement, process harmonisation, and change management across our expanding global network of schools and regional hubs.
Reporting to the Head of Group Procurement and acting as a key strategic partner to Procurement Leadership and Regional Business Partners, you will balance strategic vision with hands-on delivery. You will ensure that our Source-to-Pay (S2P) processes, vendor technologies, operational governance, and ESG goals align seamlessly with ISP's ethos of continuous improvement and educational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Process Excellence & Governance
- Serve as the global Subject Matter Expert (SME) for procurement governance, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and internal control frameworks.
- Monitor operational compliance and process performance, identifying efficiency bottlenecks and mitigating supply chain risks.
- Work closely with ISP’s strategic partner for shared services delivery to support the harmonisation of regional buying practices into a clear, scalable global operating model.
- Drive cross-functional projects that enhance the buying experience for school directors, operational heads, and central teams.
- Foster a culture of operational excellence, compliance, and smart spending to deliver value to ISP across non-procurement business users.
- ESG & Responsible Procurement in Education
- Embed ISP’s sustainability and ethical sourcing commitments into daily procurement practices (Scope 3 carbon reduction, supplier diversity, and safeguarding compliance) to support Ecovadis accreditation.
- Support supply chain risk management, ensuring all suppliers meet ISP’s ethical and child-safety compliance standards, as well as data and cyber security protocols.
- Drive reporting and awareness around sustainable purchasing choices within our schools.
- Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement
- Design and execute structured change management and communication strategies for new procurement processes, policies, and digital deployments across diverse geographies.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders across Finance, IT, Regional Operations, Legal, and School Leadership teams.
- Facilitate global working groups, leadership forums, and interactive workshops to foster alignment and organisational readiness.
- Act as a trusted advisor on operational change, navigating cultural and regional nuances across ISP’s global footprint.
- Design and deliver end-to-end training programmes, user guides, webinars, and knowledge repositories to build procurement capabilities group-wide.
- Procurement Technology & Digital Enablement
- Drive the rollout, optimisation, and daily adoption of ISP’s procurement systems and digital tools.
- Partner with the Head of Procurement, Finance and IT to build a systems roadmap with ISP’s preferred software vendors to refine workflows, user experience (UX), and automation (including AI-enabled buying tools).
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
- Proven experience as a Procurement Excellence Manager, Procurement Operations Lead, or Transformation Manager within a matrixed, international organisation.
- Demonstrated track record of leading global change initiatives, process standardisations, and digital tool implementations (e.g. S2P software).
- Strong background in creating training programmes, change toolkits, and clear executive communications.
- Excellent project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple global workstreams simultaneously.
- Core Procurement: Source-to-Pay (S2P), Procurement Operations, Process Mapping, Operational Governance.
- Transformation & Change: Change Management, Continuous Improvement, Workshop Facilitation, Stakeholder Engagement.
- Technology & Data: Digital Adoption, ERP/Procurement System Enablement, Performance Metrics & Dashboarding.
- Soft Skills: Influencing without line management authority, cross-cultural communication, empathetic leadership, problem-solving.
- ESG and Risk Management: Sustainable Sourcing, Ethical Supply Chain Management, Supplier Risk.
Location and Travel
This role can be based in Portugal or another European location where ISP is able to employ. The role operates across ISP’s global footprint and works closely with ISP’s shared service teams, regional hubs and schools. Periodic international travel is an expectation of this role, including travel to ISP schools, regional offices and supplier locations.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Procurement Operations Lead 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 Procurement Operations Lead 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 Procurement Operations Lead 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.
