Head of procurement

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 £24m 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.

• 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.

• 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. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.

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.

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.