At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and drive commercial improvements in a dynamic public sector environment.
- Company: Forward-thinking public sector organisation with a focus on innovation and impact.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid working, and the chance to lead high-profile initiatives.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to inspire a high-performing procurement team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by delivering value and improving outcomes across the organisation.
- Qualifications: Senior procurement leadership experience and strong knowledge of public procurement legislation.
Interim Head of Procurement
Rate: £400–£500 per day Ltd (or £303.97–£379.97 PAYE) – Negotiable DBS: Standard DBS required
An Exciting Interim Leadership Opportunity
We are recruiting for an experienced Interim Head of Procurement to provide strategic leadership across procurement, contract management and commercial assurance within a large and complex public sector organisation.
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior procurement professional to lead a high-performing procurement function, ensuring compliance with public procurement legislation while delivering value for money, commercial innovation and improved outcomes across the organisation.
Working closely with senior leadership, elected Members and key stakeholders, you will drive procurement strategy, strengthen governance and support the delivery of corporate priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for procurement, contract management and commercial assurance across the organisation.
- Develop and implement procurement strategies, policies and governance frameworks.
- Lead high-value, complex and politically sensitive procurement activity.
- Drive commercial improvement, contract performance and value for money.
- Identify and deliver procurement savings opportunities across multiple service areas.
- Provide expert procurement advice to senior leaders, Members and stakeholders.
- Strengthen procurement compliance, performance monitoring and reporting.
- Lead, develop and inspire the Procurement team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
- Champion innovation, continuous improvement and best practice across procurement.
About You
We're looking for an accomplished procurement leader with
- Significant senior procurement leadership experience within local government or the wider public sector.
- Extensive knowledge of UK public procurement legislation, governance and commercial best practice.
- MCIPS qualification (or equivalent professional procurement expertise).
- A proven track record of delivering procurement transformation, commercial improvements and measurable savings.
- Experience advising executive leadership teams, directors and elected Members on complex procurement and commercial matters.
- Strong leadership skills with experience developing high-performing teams and leading organisational change.
- Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
What's on Offer?
- Competitive day rate with flexibility for the right candidate.
- Hybrid working – typically three days on site and two days remote.
- Opportunity to lead procurement strategy within a large, forward-thinking public sector organisation.
- Work on high-profile procurement and commercial initiatives that deliver real organisational impact.
If you're an experienced interim procurement leader with the strategic vision, commercial expertise and public sector experience to make an immediate impact, we'd love to hear from you
Interim Head of Procurement in Brighton employer: SOLOS Consultants Ltd
Solos Consultants Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values flexibility and collaboration, allowing you to balance remote work with office engagement in Coalville. With a focus on employee growth, the company provides opportunities for long-term contracts and professional development, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the ICT sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Head of Procurement in Brighton
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of Procurement in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show SOLOS Consultants Ltd that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, SOLOS Consultants Ltd can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows SOLOS Consultants Ltd that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let SOLOS Consultants Ltd know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at SOLOS Consultants Ltd
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
