At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement across multiple categories, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Join a leading provider of special needs education with a focus on work/life balance.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day working week, competitive salary, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Shape the future of work while making a real impact in education.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement management and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a certified 'Great Place to Work' with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 54000 £ per year.
At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!
Procurement Manager
Bolton | Hybrid- working 2 days in the office
Permanent | 37.5 hours per week (Mon–Fri)
Salary: Up to £55,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
We’re reimagining work/life balance – and you could be part of it.
In 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running. We’re proud to be part of the 4-Day Working Week trial, giving our teams more time to recharge while still earning 100% of their pay.*
Outcomes First Group is the largest independent provider of high-quality special needs education and care in the UK. We deliver research-led, personalised education that helps every child thrive.
Our vision is to empower every child with a world-class education that nurtures potential and inspires lifelong learning. Our mission is to unlock that potential through personalised learning and opportunity, and our promise is simple: we listen, work together, and hold each other accountable to make the remarkable happen.
*Please note: 4DWW is subject to successful completion of your probation period and is not a contractual benefit.
The Role
As Procurement Manager, you will lead the procurement function across multiple categories including infrastructure, fleet management, and operational resources. You will be responsible for ensuring procurement activities meet high standards of quality, compliance, sustainability and cost-effectiveness, while aligning with strategic growth objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, plan, and coordinate procurement exercises across the business in a cost-effective and efficient way.
- Lead procurement for new site openings, including sourcing of, equipment, utilities, and vehicles.
- Manage and develop the procurement team, providing leadership, guidance, and support to ensure high performance and continuous improvement.
- Ensure all procurement processes adhere to internal policies and external regulatory requirements.
- Monitor supplier performance and ensure delivery of goods and services meets quality standards.
- Carry out due diligence checks on suppliers to ensure compliance and quality standards.
- Maintain supplier databases, contracts registers, and succession planning strategies.
- Oversee tenders, price reviews, and onboarding of new suppliers.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to forecast needs and align procurement with operational plans.
- Management of the whole fleet including ordering of new vehicles, on-going support and vehicle de-fleet and reallocation processes.
- Management of procurement reports to track suppliers and costs
- Negotiate supplier contracts, ensuring favourable terms and value for money.
- Provide a customer-focused procurement service, handling supplier complaints and disputes effectively.
Essential Experience & Skills
- Proven experience in procurement management, ideally within education, healthcare, or multi-site operations.
- Strong understanding of compliance frameworks, quality assurance, and sustainability requirements in procurement.
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- Familiarity with procurement systems and compliance frameworks.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive decisions.
- Commercial acumen and a track record of achieving cost efficiencies.
Benefits
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with contribution options
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” mental and physical health support
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Flexible benefits via Vista (discounts, Cycle to Work, Electric Car Scheme, critical illness cover and more)
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
Procurement Manager employer: Outcomes First Group
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group Recruiting 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 hunt for a new role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching OFG and their values. Understand their commitment to work/life balance and how you can contribute to their mission of empowering children. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Procurement Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to secure the best deals. Role-play common interview scenarios where you might need to negotiate terms or resolve supplier disputes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining #TeamOFG and being part of the exciting changes ahead.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Procurement Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in procurement management, especially in education or healthcare, and show how you align with our mission to empower every child.
Showcase Your Skills: We want to see your strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills shine through. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've achieved cost efficiencies and managed multiple projects successfully.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role, and make sure to proofread for any typos or errors.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining #TeamOFG!
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially in areas like compliance frameworks and sustainability. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed procurement processes in the past, particularly in multi-site operations or education.
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of how you've negotiated supplier contracts in the past. Highlight any cost efficiencies you've achieved and be ready to discuss your approach to ensuring value for money while maintaining quality standards.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've collaborated with internal stakeholders in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific instances where your communication skills helped align procurement with operational plans, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Qualities
As a Procurement Manager, you'll need to lead a team. Prepare to talk about your leadership style and how you've supported team development in the past. Share examples of how you've driven high performance and continuous improvement within your team.