At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and enforce contract performance frameworks for exceptional service delivery in schools.
- Company: Join the River Learning Trust, dedicated to improving education through collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, professional development, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for growth and training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on educational resources and services while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in supplier management and understanding of procurement regulations required.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Behind every great lesson is a central team ensuring our schools have the highest quality resources, services, and commercial partnerships.
As our Procurement Contracts Performance Manager, you aren't just reviewing reports—you are shaping and enforcing the contract performance frameworks that ensure our school leaders and site teams receive exceptional service delivery.
In this exciting new role within our central procurement function, you will act as the key bridge between localised school realities and Trust-wide strategic oversight.
You will hold suppliers strictly accountable for building, maintaining, and populating their own performance reporting suites, ensuring seamless communication and transparency across all Trust schools.
Why This Role Matters
Your primary focus will be to centralise the operational performance of key service contracts—such as catering, cleaning, and grounds maintenance—ensuring they deliver consistent value across the Trust.
You will achieve this by holding commercial partners accountable to rigorous KPI and SLA frameworks, and by synthesizing granular, school-level operational data into comprehensive, Trust-wide performance reports for executive leadership.
In addition to this strategic reporting, you will govern supplier-led dashboards, oversee compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 (TPA) and PCR 2015 regulations, enforce contractual remedies when performance standards are not met, and act as a central expert to support School Business Managers with training and clear escalation pathways.
This is a hybrid all year round role working 22.5 hours per week over 3 or 4 days (to include Tuesday to Thursday) with office-based and home working.
Alternative working patterns will be considered on request.
- What You’ll Bring
- Commercial & Supplier Expertise: Proven experience in supplier management, contract governance, and tracking KPI/SLA frameworks within a multi-site function.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Practical experience or clear understanding of the Procurement Act 2023 (TPA) and PCR 2015 statutory transparency regulations.
- Analytical Mindset: Strong commercial acumen and data interrogation skills to evaluate supplier dashboards, spot trends or gaps, and maintain a "single source of truth".
- Stakeholder & School
Focus: Exceptional communication and listening skills, with the ability to translate busy school operational needs into technical supplier requirements and support School Business Managers.
- Confidence & Leadership: A robust supplier management style with the confidence to challenge underperformance, negotiate remedies, and manage escalations.
- The "Why Us" Difference
- Professional
Agency: We trust your expertise.
You will have full ownership of designing, reviewing, and approving supplier-led contract performance tools and dashboard architecture across the Trust.
- Agile
Working: Enjoy genuine hybrid flexibility, balancing home working with a minimum of one collaborative day per week in our Central Team offices (at Rose Hill Primary School).
- Structured
Impact: Work directly alongside the Head of Procurement and central operations leadership in a cohesive, supportive environment where commercial accountability and operational improvements are valued.
- Shared Growth: Support for role‑specific CPLD, formal professional contract management qualifications, and clear developmental pathways.
- The Whole Person: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and a workplace culture that respects your life outside of work.
Education has the power to change lives, communities and society for the better.
At RLT we believe that we can achieve more for our pupils, trainees, staff and communities by working together rather than alone.
Schools in RLT are united by a common belief in the benefits of working together, and by our commitment to shared principles.
OUR VISION is for our schools and SCITT to improve rapidly, continuously and sustainably: to be better faster together.
OUR ‘WHY?’ is that children and young people ‘only get one go’ in school and therefore as part of RLT we aim to ensure the best possible ‘go’ for our pupils.
OUR ‘HOW?’ is through the highest support and challenge for our schools and each other, underpinned by our principles.
The River Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing extremism.
The Trust is required to conduct a variety of checks and online searches about you as part of their recruitment process in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
It is an offence to apply for certain roles within schools if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
The River Learning Trust is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment for all staff, free from discrimination and harassment.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
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Procurement Contract Performance Manager *Hybrid Role* in Oxford employer: River Learning Trust
The River Learning Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where HR professionals can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working options, and a culture that values humour and community, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across our schools in Oxfordshire. Join us in our mission to enhance educational experiences for children and young people while enjoying a range of benefits including professional learning opportunities and a Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Contract Performance Manager *Hybrid Role* in Oxford
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like River Learning Trust.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Contract Performance Manager *Hybrid Role* in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to River Learning Trust:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to River Learning Trust. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like River Learning Trust.
How to prepare for a job interview at River Learning Trust
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at River Learning Trust!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at River Learning Trust. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into River Learning Trust's culture.
