Head of Procurement

Head of Procurement

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and drive sustainable value for a meaningful organisation.
  • Company: Join Sense, a diverse charity dedicated to supporting disabled individuals.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, excellent training, generous leave, and pension scheme.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming procurement practices for a good cause.
  • Qualifications: Senior-level procurement experience and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: We celebrate diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

We’re now looking for an inspiring and strategic Head of Procurement to shape the future of procurement at Sense and ensure our resources deliver maximum impact for the people we support. This is a hybrid position, working 2-3 days per week from our office in Selly Oak, Birmingham. As our new Head of Procurement, you’ll lead the organisation’s procurement strategy, overseeing around £24 million of annual corporate expenditure. Reporting to the Chief Finance and Commercial Officer, you’ll play a pivotal role in driving sustainable value, innovation, and resilience across all areas of spend.

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead transformation - embedding digital capability, strong governance, and ethical leadership across the organisation. You’ll lead and develop a small, high-performing team, while working collaboratively across departments to optimise procurement practices that support Sense’s long-term financial sustainability.

Key responsibilities:
  • Develop and deliver a national procurement strategy that maximises value, reduces risk, and ensures long-term sustainability.
  • Lead the transformation of procurement through digital tools, insight-led decision making and data-driven performance.
  • Build strategic partnerships with suppliers, championing innovation, social value, and ethical sourcing.
  • Drive continuous improvement, accountability, and excellence across procurement operations.
  • Act as a trusted adviser to the leadership team, influencing strategy and supporting best-in-class commercial governance.
About you:
  • You bring significant senior-level procurement experience across indirect categories.
  • You’ve led multi-disciplinary teams and delivered measurable commercial results.
  • You’re confident, collaborative, and highly skilled in building relationships across all levels.
  • You combine strategic capability with strong analytical and negotiation skills.
  • You hold (or are working towards) MCIPS qualification.
  • You’re passionate about driving ethical, sustainable, and inclusive procurement practices that align with Sense’s mission and values.

We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life.

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

If you share these values and want to lead a function that helps a truly meaningful organisation deliver more impact, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply:

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview, in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented Global Majority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they’re given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential.

Head of Procurement employer: Sense Employees

At Sense, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment that fosters personal and professional growth. As the Head of Procurement, you will lead a high-performing team in a meaningful role that drives ethical and sustainable practices, while enjoying excellent training opportunities, a generous annual leave entitlement, and participation in our Group Personal Pension scheme. Located in Selly Oak, Birmingham, you will be part of a diverse charity dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of disabled individuals, ensuring that your work contributes to a greater purpose.
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Contact Detail:

Sense Employees Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research Sense's mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your approach and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process. It’s all about building those relationships!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to procurement strategy and leadership. Think about how your past experiences align with the role and be ready to share specific examples.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Sense.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Procurement

Procurement Strategy Development
Digital Transformation
Data-Driven Decision Making
Supplier Relationship Management
Negotiation Skills
Analytical Skills
Team Leadership
Commercial Governance
Sustainability Practices
Ethical Sourcing
Collaboration Skills
Risk Management
MCIPS Qualification

Some tips for your application 🫡

Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description and person specification. This will help you tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with what we're looking for.

Be Thorough in Your Application: Make sure to complete every section of the application form. We want to see all your relevant skills and experiences, so don’t leave anything out that could showcase your fit for the Head of Procurement role.

Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: As a Head of Procurement, we’re keen on seeing your strategic mindset. Use your application to demonstrate how you've led procurement strategies in the past and the impact they had on your organisation.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive and review your application, ensuring it gets the attention it deserves.

How to prepare for a job interview at Sense Employees

✨Know Your Procurement Strategy

Before the interview, make sure you understand the key elements of a successful procurement strategy. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and deliver a national procurement strategy that maximises value and reduces risk, as this will show your strategic thinking and alignment with the role.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've led multi-disciplinary teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where your leadership resulted in measurable commercial results. This will demonstrate your capability to lead and develop a high-performing team, which is crucial for this position.

✨Emphasise Ethical Sourcing

Since the role focuses on ethical and sustainable procurement practices, be prepared to discuss your experience with ethical sourcing and how you can champion innovation and social value. This will resonate well with the organisation's mission and values.

✨Build Relationships

Think about how you've built relationships across various levels in previous roles. Be ready to share strategies for fostering collaboration and trust with suppliers and internal stakeholders. This will highlight your confidence and collaborative nature, which are essential for influencing strategy.

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