Procurement Lead in Manchester

Take ownership of strategically important spend and lead Tf GM's approach to category, commodity and supplier management across a varied organisation.

You will lead complex sourcing activity, develop the team and turn spend insight into measurable savings, stronger supplier performance and better value for Greater Manchester.

• Client Details
• About Transport for Greater Manchester

Transport for Greater Manchester (Tf GM) is the organisation helping to shape a more connected, sustainable and inclusive transport future for the city region.

Its growing, multidisciplinary Commercial Services function brings together procurement, capital commercial, franchise and commercial delivery, corporate finance, supplier relationships, social value, governance and assurance.

The team works with colleagues from the earliest idea and market engagement through sourcing, contract award, mobilisation and supplier performance.

This is not a procurement function operating at the edge of delivery.

The team supports high-profile activity across the Bee Network, bus franchising, Metrolink, rail and station investment, fleet, technology, energy, active travel and public infrastructure.

Procurement at Tf GM helps secure the partners, operators, services, technology and infrastructure required to connect communities and improve millions of journeys, while also supporting good employment, local businesses, social value and carbon reduction.

Description

The opportunity

Commercial Services is where big ideas become real.

In this role, your procurement expertise will help Tf GM buy well, understand its markets, improve supplier relationships and secure sustainable value for customers, communities, taxpayers and the environment.

You will work with senior stakeholders and operational teams across the organisation, with the opportunity to influence how requirements are shaped and how suppliers deliver.

Key responsibilities

• Own sourcing categories and lead complex procurement activity from market assessment and strategy through tendering, negotiation and commercial outcome.
• Develop and implement a recognised commodity-management methodology across Tf GM.
• Create and maintain a clear spend map covering current and future expenditure, savings opportunities and sourcing priorities.
• Identify and deliver measurable savings, service improvements and wider value from Tf GM's third-party spend.
• Identify strategically important suppliers and build sustainable relationships that improve quality, service and value.
• Establish supplier-performance reporting, using meaningful measures to assess activity, efficiency and value for money.
• Lead, support and develop a team of three procurement professionals, creating clear priorities and accountability.
• Provide credible procurement advice and challenge to senior stakeholders, project teams and colleagues across Tf GM.
• Maintain procurement performance reporting and identify future opportunities through analysis of activity, expenditure and savings.
• Drive continuous improvement, challenge established processes and coach the wider organisation to strengthen its value-for-money culture.
• Profile
• The successful candidate
• Considerable experience supporting the procurement needs of a large or similarly complex organisation.
• Substantial senior-level experience working with senior managers to deliver sourcing and procurement activity.
• Experience taking responsibility for a procurement team's performance, including reporting on activity, outcomes and savings.
• Strong commercial awareness and sound knowledge of procurement methodologies, including relevant e-procurement solutions.
• A proven record of developing and implementing complex procurement policies, processes and commodity or category strategies.
• In-depth knowledge of supplier-management techniques and experience improving supplier performance.
• A demonstrable track record of identifying and delivering savings across multiple spend categories.
• Strong analytical, written, negotiation and communication skills, with the confidence to influence at all organisational levels.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject.
• MCIPS or an equivalent professional qualification, or a willingness to work towards MCIPS accreditation.
• A note on sector background

Tf GM values strong, transferable procurement capability.

Candidates from transport, infrastructure, utilities, energy, technology, professional services and other complex public or regulated environments are encouraged to demonstrate how their sourcing, category and supplier-management experience transfers.

• Job Offer
• What's on offer
• Salary shown for each role.
• 28+ days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy additional leave.
• Free rail, Metrolink and bus travel to and from work.
• Local Government Pension Scheme and associated life cover.
• Flexible and hybrid working embedded within policy and culture.
• Enhanced family-friendly leave, including maternity, adoption, paternity and fertility treatment support.
• Employee Assistance Programme and wider wellbeing support.
• Professional fee reimbursement where essential to the role.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• A visible career platform within a growing and modernising Commercial Services function.
• Application information
• Appointments are made on merit.
• Applications and CVs must be anonymised in line with Tf GM's recruitment requirements.
• Tf GM offers a Guaranteed Assessment Scheme and will support reasonable adjustments throughout the process.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to work in the UK. Tf GM is not a licensed sponsor.
• Candidates should ensure their application is specific, evidence-led and grounded in their own experience