At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and manage tendering processes to deliver value for our community.
- Company: Join ISHA, a community-focused housing association with a strong social purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in affordable housing while developing your procurement skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills are essential.
This role is based at our Head Office in Finsbury Park with some flexibility to work from home for one day per week after a successful probation period. Come and join us as our Procurement Manager and play a pivotal role in helping us deliver safe, high-quality homes and services for our residents. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded procurement professional to lead a strategic function, shape organisational best practice, and secure real value through compliant, effective and forward-thinking procurement.
Reporting to the Head of Partnerships, Procurement and Energy, you will lead the organisation’s procurement activity across goods, works and services. You will work closely with colleagues across the business to manage tendering, strengthen governance, oversee supplier performance and drive value for money, while ensuring full compliance with relevant legislation and internal standards.
About the role:
- Lead and deliver the organisation’s procurement strategy, ensuring it supports corporate priorities, asset management plans and building safety requirements.
- Manage compliant, transparent and value-driven procurement processes from market engagement through to tendering, negotiation and contract award.
- Strengthen procurement governance by maintaining robust documentation, evaluation frameworks, risk controls and audit-ready processes.
- Work with operational teams to embed effective contract and supplier management, including performance monitoring, KPIs and review activity.
- Drive commercial value by identifying cost savings, supporting budget holders, analysing spend and leading negotiations to secure favourable terms.
- Provide insight, guidance and continuous improvement across the organisation by using data, reporting to senior stakeholders and promoting procurement best practice.
About you:
- Confident and collaborative procurement professional with substantial experience across the full procurement lifecycle and a strong track record of delivering complex tenders and high-value contracts.
- You will bring excellent commercial judgement, analytical ability and negotiation skills, alongside a strong understanding of procurement in a regulated environment and the legislation that underpins it.
- Just as importantly, you will be someone who can build strong relationships across teams, influence stakeholders at all levels and communicate complex information clearly.
- The successful candidate will share ISHA’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, work in a safe and compliant way, and be flexible and responsive in supporting the wider needs of the organisation.
About ISHA
At ISHA, community and neighbourhood mean everything to us, and our roots run deep in the areas of North London that we serve. Founded over 90 years ago, we provide around 2,500 homes for over 5,000 people across Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest. We are proud to remain a community-based housing association with a strong social purpose and an ambitious future. Our values are at the heart of who we are and everything we do, inspiring our thinking and guiding our actions. We strive to build a more diverse organisation, where everyone feels empowered to bring, and be, their best self to work. We are ambitious about the future while remaining grounded in our communities and values.
Why join ISHA?
- A genuinely community-based and values-led organisation.
- Strong social purpose and commitment to affordable housing.
- New corporate strategy and clear organisational ambition with a commitment to growth in our heartlands.
- Flexible and supportive working culture.
- Competitive pension and benefits package.
We can’t be a brilliant landlord if we don’t partner with brilliant colleagues. Could you be one of them? If this sounds exciting, we want you on our team. Please do complete an application.
Inclusion and Diversity
We want ISHA to be a great place to work and to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and those of Other Ethnicities, LGBTQ+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents.
Application Process
When you submit your final application with your CV and a covering letter tell us: (a) Why you feel you’re a strong fit for this role, with reference to the job description and person specification. (b) One work-related challenge you’ve managed, what you did, and what you learned. (c) Your biggest success in terms of procurement. (d) What motivates you most about working in procurement. (e) Anything else you feel is relevant to share with us. Maximum of 250 words per answer, please.
Please note: We can only be able to accept applications from candidates with eligibility to currently work in the UK. We do not offer a visa sponsorship programme. Applications sent without a covering letter will not be accepted.
Asking for adjustments
ISHA is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments or changes for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the application, interview, or assessment process, including providing information in an alternative format, you will be able to contact us.
Procurement Manager employer: ISLINGTON & SHOREDITCH HOUSING ASSOCIATION
ISHA is an exceptional employer that prioritises community and values, offering a supportive and flexible working culture in the heart of Finsbury Park. With a strong commitment to social purpose and affordable housing, employees benefit from a competitive pension and benefits package, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth within a diverse and inclusive environment. Join us to make a meaningful impact while being part of a team that truly values collaboration and innovation.
Contact Details:
ISLINGTON & SHOREDITCH HOUSING ASSOCIATION Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager
✨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 interviews by researching ISHA and its values. Understand their commitment to community and diversity, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Procurement Manager, showcasing your ability to negotiate effectively can set you apart. Consider mock interviews or role-playing scenarios to sharpen those skills before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining ISHA and contributing to their mission of providing high-quality homes and services.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Make sure your cover letter speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in procurement and how it aligns with our values at ISHA. We want to see why you're the perfect fit for this role!
Be Specific in Your Examples:When discussing your work-related challenges and successes, be as specific as possible. Use concrete examples that showcase your skills in managing tenders and driving value for money. This helps us see your impact clearly!
Keep It Concise:Remember, we’ve set a maximum of 250 words per answer. Be clear and concise while still providing enough detail to show off your expertise. We appreciate brevity and clarity in your application!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to complete your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at ISLINGTON & SHOREDITCH HOUSING ASSOCIATION
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially around the full lifecycle and relevant legislation. Be ready to discuss your experience with complex tenders and high-value contracts, as this will show you understand the role inside out.
✨Showcase Your Success Stories
Prepare specific examples of your past successes in procurement. Think about cost savings you've achieved or successful negotiations you've led. This will help demonstrate your commercial judgement and analytical ability, which are key for this role.
✨Understand ISHA's Values
Familiarise yourself with ISHA’s commitment to community, diversity, and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of providing affordable housing.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about their procurement strategy or how they measure success in supplier performance. It shows you're engaged and genuinely interested in the role and the organisation.
