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- Tasks: Lead procurement operations, ensuring compliance and driving cost savings for the Directorate.
- Company: Reading Borough Council, committed to diversity and innovation.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, pension scheme, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment while enhancing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong procurement experience and strategic thinking abilities required.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to making Reading a vibrant place.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced procurement professional looking for a strategic leadership role? Reading Borough Council is seeking a Procurement and Contracts Manager to oversee procurement operations for one of our Directorates, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and value for money. We support hybrid working, allowing flexibility while ensuring employees can excel in their roles. Within this role we’d expect you will need to be in the office 1-2 days per week on average. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, seeking talent from the widest pool of candidates. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively support the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the Role
You’ll be responsible for managing the procurement programme for the Directorate of Economic Growth and Neighbourhoods service area, overseeing key procurement projects while also supporting the leadership team by analysing and producing data that supports efficiencies. We will support you to lead procurement projects from conception to contract management, ensuring best practices and regulatory compliance. Working closely with stakeholders, you will drive cost savings, sustainability, and social value while managing supplier relationships and contract performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the procurement programme for the Directorate of Economic Growth and Neighbourhoods service area.
- Provide expert advice and guidance on procurement systems and processes to support team capacity building and ensure consistent operational practices.
- Lead market engagement and sourcing activities, including tendering and contract negotiations.
- Ensure compliance with procurement regulations, including the Procurement Act 2023.
- Drive value for money, cost savings, and supplier performance improvements.
- Oversee contract execution, risk management, and performance monitoring.
- Support benchmarking activities to ensure competitive procurement practices.
- Analyse and produce data to support performance reporting and efficiencies.
- Lead meetings, supporting the directorate in procurement and contract management best practices.
About You
We’re looking for someone with strong operational procurement experience, particularly in delivering complex, high-value projects efficiently. Overall key requirements are:
- Expertise in procurement regulations and ensuring compliance across all operational activities.
- Strategic thinking with the ability to develop and implement a Procurement Plan that enhances efficiency and quality.
- Stakeholder management skills, ensuring effective collaboration across departments.
- Analytical and commercial acumen, driving cost savings and supplier performance improvements.
- Leadership skills, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
- Good overall interpersonal skills in particular strong communicational skills.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision and values
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
- Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
- Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency.
- Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
- Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
- Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave.
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading.
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
For more information or an informal discussion, contact Flora Challis - Contracts and Technical Support Manager.
Closing Date: Wednesday 11th February 2026
Interview Process: Competency-based interview
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Procurement and Contracts Manager in England employer: Reading Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Reading Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement and Contracts Manager in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its procurement practices. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how they operate and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around compliance and efficiency. Tailor your examples to highlight your strategic thinking and stakeholder management skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement and Contracts Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your procurement experience and how it aligns with the role. We want to see how your skills can drive efficiency and value for money in our team!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve led successful procurement projects or improved supplier performance. We love seeing tangible results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Team Reading!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Know Your Procurement Regulations
Make sure you brush up on the latest procurement regulations, especially the Procurement Act 2023. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the rules but also committed to compliance and best practices.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've developed and implemented procurement plans in the past. Highlight your ability to drive efficiency and quality, as this role requires a strategic mindset to enhance operations within the Directorate.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Think of specific instances where you've successfully collaborated with various stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you’ve built relationships and driven cost savings through effective communication and teamwork.
✨Bring Data to Life
Since the role involves analysing data for performance reporting, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to support decision-making and improve supplier performance. This will illustrate your analytical skills and commercial acumen.
