At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-value IT sourcing activities and negotiate contracts for major projects.
- Company: Large public sector entity focused on infrastructure and services.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid working, and opportunity to influence procurement strategies.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a structured environment while driving innovation and savings.
- Qualifications: Proven sourcing expertise, strong negotiation skills, and experience in complex environments.
We are seeking an experienced Interim IT Sourcing Manager to lead complex, high-value sourcing activity across major IT categories. This role is suited to a commercially astute professional with a strong track record of delivering value through strategic sourcing, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement within a highly regulated environment.
Client Details
The hiring organisation is a large public sector entity with a focus on infrastructure and services. They operate in a structured environment and are dedicated to optimising procurement and supply chain operations.
You will manage end-to-end sourcing activity for multi-million-pound opportunities, working collaboratively with senior stakeholders to generate innovation, manage risk, and deliver measurable commercial and contractual value.
Description
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead and manage the full sourcing lifecycle from business requirement through to contract signature for medium cost, medium business risk opportunities valued in the multi-millions.
- Deliver sourcing activity in support of annual cost savings and value-creation targets.
- Implement approved Integrated Category Strategies through a qualified sourcing pipeline, delivering agreed savings and benefits with ambition to exceed targets.
- Apply a structured sourcing framework within an OJEU-regulated environment, ensuring full compliance with governance, legislative, and regulatory requirements.
- Act as an expert negotiator, securing sourcing-enabled savings and benefits that are approved by Finance and embedded into budgets.
- Develop and deliver innovative sourcing-led business cases to solve complex business challenges using external market expertise.
- Challenge and demand-manage stakeholder requirements to maximise group-wide commercial value across a complex, devolved organisation.
- Drive continuous improvement activity, including pipeline assessments and customer satisfaction initiatives.
- Contribute to the development of best-in-class sourcing practices, commercial models, and total cost of ownership approaches within the wider sourcing function.
Profile
A successful Interim IT Sourcing Manager should have:
- Deep sourcing expertise with a demonstrable track record of delivering savings.
- Strong negotiation and dispute resolution capabilities.
- Sound knowledge of contract law and financial management.
- Proven experience delivering value from complex sourcing opportunities.
- Experience working in agile, cross-functional environments.
- Politically savvy with the ability to influence at executive level using both direct and indirect approaches.
- Strong problem-solving capability across complex sourcing challenges.
Job Offer
A day rate GBP550 per day inside IR35. Hybrid working. Based in Milton Keynes, with a focus on public sector procurement. Opportunity to work with a large organisation in a structured environment.
Interim IT Sourcing Manager employer: Michael Page Procurement & Supply Chain
As a large public sector entity based in Milton Keynes, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to excel in their roles. With a strong commitment to professional development, we offer numerous growth opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact through strategic sourcing initiatives. Our structured environment ensures compliance and governance while promoting continuous improvement, making us an excellent employer for those seeking rewarding careers in procurement and supply chain management.
Contact Details:
Michael Page Procurement & Supply Chain Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim IT Sourcing Manager
✨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 Interim IT Sourcing Manager
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 Michael Page Procurement & Supply Chain 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, Michael Page Procurement & Supply Chain 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 Michael Page Procurement & Supply Chain 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 Michael Page Procurement & Supply Chain 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 Michael Page Procurement & Supply Chain
✨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.
