Procurement Specialist/Manager

Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Procurement Specialist for our client, a local government organisation based in Southwark, London. The successful post holder will be responsible for delivering approved business cases and embedding this organisation's Procurement Contract Management Target Operating Model. The role will focus on driving commercial outcomes, delivering sustainable savings across third-party spend, implementing category strategies, and improving supplier and contract performance.

Working closely with service areas, finance teams and programme stakeholders, the post holder will ensure delivery remains on track, risks are managed effectively, and agreed benefits are realised. This role is a temporary contract with an initial contract length of 3 months with the possibility to extend. This role is hybrid working 3 days in the office, 2 days remote.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Deliver assigned business cases, ensuring agreed outcomes, savings and performance improvements are achieved.
• Develop and implement category plans using spend analysis, market intelligence and performance data.
• Translate approved business cases into clear delivery plans with defined actions, ownership and timelines.
• Monitor progress against milestones and take corrective action where delivery is off track.
• Coordinate stakeholders across service areas, finance teams and programme functions to ensure successful delivery.
• Lead regular delivery meetings to review progress, risks, dependencies and key actions.
• Identify, manage and resolve risks, issues and delivery blockers, escalating where appropriate.
• Ensure all procurement activity complies with governance requirements, procurement regulations and organisational policies.
• Work closely with finance colleagues to track, validate and report savings and benefits realisation.
• Negotiate with suppliers to secure improved pricing, contract terms and value for money outcomes.
• Establish and support effective contract management practices, including supplier performance reviews and governance meetings.
• Monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and additional efficiencies.
• Maintain delivery documentation including project plans, risk registers, action logs and milestone trackers.
• Produce accurate reporting for senior stakeholders, programme boards and governance forums.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to the ongoing development of procurement and contract management best practice.

Personal Requirements:

• Significant procurement and commercial experience within the public sector or a similarly complex environment.
• Proven experience developing and implementing category strategies.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering procurement-led savings and value-for-money initiatives.
• Strong experience of supplier management, contract negotiation and contract management.
• Experience delivering complex programmes, transformation projects or business case implementation.
• Knowledge of procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023 and public sector governance requirements.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
• Experience working with financial reporting, benefits realisation and performance monitoring frameworks.
• Ability to identify and mitigate risks while maintaining delivery momentum in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organisational, communication and leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a proactive, hands-on approach.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and competing deadlines.

Working Hours: Monday - Friday / 9:00am - 17:00pm

Pay: £454.81 per day

Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.