Procurement Manager in Winchester

We are proud to be partnering with Winchester College to manage the recruitment of their procurement manager position, a unique greenfield opportunity.

Job Description Overview

The College is seeking an experienced Procurement Manager to lead and manage the school’s end‑to‑end procurement activities. Following merger with The Pilgrims’ School in 2025 and planned expansion of the senior school by 25% over the next three years, the College is seeking someone to proactively harmonise existing contracts and drive a structured review of procurement practices with a view to enhancing and formalising procurement activities. This role ensures the delivery of value for money, robust supplier management, compliance with regulatory and safeguarding requirements, and effective commercial support to academic, pastoral, and operational departments. The postholder acts as the school’s expert on strategic sourcing, contract management, and procurement governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Procurement Strategy & Governance
  • Develop and implement a school-wide procurement strategy aligned to the school’s financial, operational, and educational objectives.
  • Establish and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and financial controls consistent with charity governance requirements and the school’s Scheme of Delegation.
  • Lead category strategies (e.g., estates, IT, facilities, transport, teaching resources).
  • Ensure all purchasing activity supports value for money through competitive processes, total cost of ownership, and whole-life considerations.
• Tendering & Contract Management
  • Manage tender processes, including preparation of specifications, evaluation criteria, negotiation, and award recommendations.
  • Develop and maintain central contracts register, ensuring timely renewals and robust contract performance monitoring.
  • Negotiate commercial terms that protect the school’s interests, including service levels, KPIs, pricing mechanisms, warranties, and safeguarding clauses.
• Supplier Relationship Management
  • Develop structured supplier relationship management mechanisms across strategic suppliers.
  • Conduct formal performance reviews, ensuring delivery against service levels and agreed outcomes.
  • Strengthen resilience in the supply chain and proactively manage risks such as sole‑supplier dependency, cost volatility, and ESG compliance.
• Financial & Data Management
  • Work closely with Finance to align procurement plans with the annual budget, estate development plan, and long-term financial strategy.
  • Deliver cost savings and cost‑avoidance initiatives, tracking results and preparing reports for senior leadership and governors.
  • Use data analytics to identify spending patterns, consolidation opportunities, and areas for improved buying discipline, including analysis of credit card and expenses expenditure.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Partner with operational heads (Estates, ICT, Sports, Operations, Academic departments) to understand demand and plan sourcing activity.
  • Provide expert advice and training to staff involved in purchasing or contract management.
  • Act as the school’s subject-matter expert on procurement matters for SLT, Trustees, and Finance Committee.
• Compliance, Risk & Safeguarding
  • Ensure procurement activity complies with legal and regulatory requirements, including charity law, data protection, and safeguarding due diligence.
  • Conduct supplier vetting, dispute resolution, and contract variations in line with the school’s policies.
• Sustainability & ESG
  • Drive sustainable procurement initiatives aligned to the school’s environmental goals.
  • Embed social value within procurement decisions, including ethical sourcing and responsible supply chains.

Person Specification

Essential

• Professional procurement qualification (e.g., CIPS Level 5/6) or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic procurement, tendering, and contract management including retendering and implementation of software platforms.
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships with diplomacy and clarity.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and project‑management skills.
• Understanding of charity governance, audit requirements, or regulated procurement environments.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.

Desirable

• Experience in education, not‑for‑profit, or multi‑site organisations.
• Knowledge of capital project procurement and estates/facilities categories.
• Experience implementing procurement systems or spend‑control processes.