Procurement Manager (Estates & FM) – 9-Month Fixed-Term Contract

We are currently working with an established public sector organisation in London to recruit an experienced Procurement Manager on a 9-month fixed-term contract.

The Opportunity

This is a hands-on procurement leadership role, reporting to the Director of Finance and taking responsibility for the organisation's procurement function.

You will lead strategic and operational procurement activity, ensuring best value, robust governance, regulatory compliance and effective contract management across a broad range of categories.

The successful candidate will be comfortable operating autonomously, partnering with senior stakeholders and budget holders, and taking ownership of procurement projects from initial requirements through to tender, evaluation, award and supplier onboarding.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement & Tendering

• Lead end-to-end tender processes for a range of significant operating contracts, including areas such as catering, cleaning, utilities, insurance, IT and support services.
• Develop procurement strategies and determine the appropriate route to market, including use of frameworks, competitive tenders and quotations.
• Prepare requirements documentation, specifications, tender documentation and evaluation criteria.
• Manage procurement exercises in accordance with relevant UK procurement legislation and organisational policies.
• Engage with suppliers throughout the procurement process and manage the process through to contract award and onboarding.
• Support budget holders with the evaluation and appraisal of supplier proposals.
• Develop preferred supplier arrangements and make effective use of public sector and other relevant frameworks.
• Monitor procurement activity and compliance, providing regular reporting and recommendations to senior management.

Stakeholder & Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted procurement adviser to senior stakeholders, budget holders and project leads.
• Partner with teams responsible for new programmes, projects, infrastructure and capital investment.
• Provide professional advice on procurement strategy, commercial risk and due process.
• Support the procurement of equipment, services and other requirements associated with new initiatives and investments.
• Advise on significant commercial activities, including property-related procurement and asset disposal where appropriate.
• Work closely with Finance colleagues to ensure procurement activity aligns with budgets, investment plans and organisational priorities.

Contract & Supplier Management

• Support and negotiate commercial agreements with budget holders and suppliers to achieve optimum value and mitigate risk.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of the contract portfolio.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate spend, improve supplier arrangements and generate efficiencies.
• Develop category plans and procurement strategies to deliver value for money.
• Establish and maintain appropriate supplier and preferred supplier arrangements.

Procurement Systems & Governance

• Develop and maintain effective procurement governance systems, including contract registers, tender waiver records and conflict-of-interest registers.
• Work with internal technology teams to improve procurement processes and automate approvals and documentation where appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to improve purchase-to-pay and associated Finance processes.
• Develop practical, user-friendly procurement processes that support the organisation's ongoing growth and development.

Reporting, Policy & Compliance

• Produce regular reports on procurement activity, spend, compliance and key categories for senior management.
• Analyse spend data to identify opportunities for savings, efficiencies and improved procurement practice.
• Review and update procurement policies, procedures and associated financial regulations.
• Ensure procurement practices remain compliant with current UK legislation and regulatory requirements, including the Procurement Act 2023.
• Implement recommendations arising from internal and external reviews, audits and investigations.
• Develop guidance and training materials for colleagues across the organisation.
• Deliver regular procurement training and provide ongoing advice to staff on procurement best practice and compliance.

About You

We are looking for an experienced procurement professional who can combine strong technical procurement knowledge with excellent stakeholder management skills.

You will ideally have

• Significant experience leading end-to-end procurement and tender processes.
• Strong knowledge of UK public procurement legislation and regulations, particularly the Procurement Act 2023.
• Experience drafting procurement documentation, specifications, tender documents and evaluation materials.
• The ability to advise stakeholders at all levels on appropriate procurement routes and best practice.
• Strong contract management and commercial negotiation experience.
• Experience working with public sector frameworks and preferred supplier arrangements.
• Experience developing and improving procurement policies, procedures and governance.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use spend data to inform procurement decisions.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong understanding of risk and compliance.
• The confidence to manage your own workload and lead procurement initiatives independently.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex procurement and regulatory issues clearly to non-specialists.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills.
• High levels of IT literacy, particularly Microsoft Office and procurement/finance systems.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within one or more of the following environments would be advantageous:
• Higher Education
• Education
• Not-for-profit or charitable organisations
• Public sector or other regulated environments

A relevant professional procurement qualification, such as CIPS, would also be advantageous.

What We're Looking For

This role would suit a procurement professional who is comfortable being both strategic and hands-on.

You'll need to be a confident self-starter who can quickly understand an organisation's requirements, build effective relationships with stakeholders and suppliers, and provide practical, commercially sound advice.

You should be able to operate independently while also collaborating effectively with Finance, project teams, senior management and external procurement partners.

• Contract & Location
• 9-month fixed-term contract
• SE London
• Hybrid working – 2–3 days per week in the office
• Reporting to the Director of Finance

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Procurement Manager to take ownership of a varied procurement portfolio within an established organisation and make a tangible impact across procurement, commercial governance and value for money.