At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and enhance contract management for a housing association.
- Company: Dynamic housing association in South Wales with a focus on community impact.
- Benefits: Up to £90k salary, hybrid working, and a potential 4-day work week.
- Other info: Opportunity for leadership and professional growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in procurement while enjoying flexible working arrangements.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in procurement and contract management, preferably in social housing.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
We are supporting a housing association based in South Wales who are looking for an experienced Interim Head of Procurement to join on an initial 6 month fixed-term basis. This is a senior leadership opportunity to strengthen procurement and contract-management arrangements across the organisation, providing strategic direction, robust governance and clear assurance.
They are happy to consider both day rate and fixed term contract arrangements up to £90k and offer hybrid working (2/3 days from home) and the opportunity for a condensed hours 4 day work week.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Developing, maintaining and embedding a strengthened procurement control framework across the organisation
- Assessing current procurement capability and recommending an effective long-term operating model
- Strengthening procurement strategy, policies, procedures and practical guidance so they remain current, proportionate and easy to apply
- Operating robust procurement gateways, ensuring the correct route, approvals and controls are identified before commitments are made
- Setting clear, auditable standards for decisions, approvals, competition, exemptions and contract records
- Providing oversight and assurance across procurement and contract-management activity, escalating risks and supporting corrective action
- Advising and challenging colleagues throughout procurement processes, from initial planning to award
- Designing and delivering training, briefings and guidance to build organisational capability and consistent practice
- Maintaining a controlled exemptions process and ensuring contract signing authority is confirmed and evidenced
- Strengthening contract management, including ownership, performance monitoring, variations, extensions, expiry planning and record keeping
Experience required:
- Substantial procurement and contract-management experience gained in social housing, the wider public sector or another regulated environment
- Strong knowledge of relevant procurement legislation, governance requirements and good practice
- Proven experience of designing, strengthening and embedding procurement controls, policies, procedures and approval gateways
- A strong understanding of delegated authority, exemptions, contract approval, signing and record-retention requirements
- Experience of establishing effective contract-management arrangements and improving organisational oversight and assurance
- The ability to explain complex requirements clearly, guide colleagues through procurement activity and deliver practical training
- Strong judgement, attention to detail and the confidence to challenge incomplete evidence, unclear authority or weak controls
Head Of Procurement employer: James Andrew Recruitment Solutions (JAR Solutions) Careers
Join a dynamic Housing Association in South Manchester, where your skills as a Multi-Trade Carpenter will be valued and rewarded. With a strong focus on employee growth and a supportive work culture, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference in the community while enjoying competitive pay and flexible working hours. This role not only offers immediate employment but also the potential for long-term career development in a fulfilling environment.
Contact Details:
James Andrew Recruitment Solutions (JAR Solutions) Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Procurement
✨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 Head Of Procurement
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 James Andrew Recruitment Solutions (JAR Solutions) Careers 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, James Andrew Recruitment Solutions (JAR Solutions) Careers 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 James Andrew Recruitment Solutions (JAR Solutions) Careers 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 James Andrew Recruitment Solutions (JAR Solutions) Careers 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 James Andrew Recruitment Solutions (JAR Solutions) Careers
✨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.
