At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of procurement processes to maximise value for residents.
- Company: Local Council focused on innovative financial strategies and community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to improving public service delivery.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of a major transformation that enhances community services and efficiency.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
The Council faces significant and sustained financial pressure over the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, driven by rising demand, inflationary cost pressures and constrained funding. The scale of the budget gap requires a fundamental shift in how the Council manages its third-party spend, ensuring every pound delivers maximum value for residents.
Procurement and contract management represent one of the Council's largest areas of controllable expenditure, yet the current operating model limits the Council's ability to leverage its scale, manage demand and consistently secure value for money. At present, procurement and contract management activity is largely decentralised, with fragmented processes, inconsistent application of governance and limited visibility of spend, contracts and performance. This results in duplication, unclear accountability and a reduced ability to take a coordinated, council-wide approach to commercial decision-making. These challenges are structural in nature and cannot be addressed through incremental improvement alone.
In response, the Council is undertaking a fundamental transformation to a hybrid hub-and-spoke, category-based operating model. This will create a stronger central procurement hub, supported by defined service-facing roles and accountabilities, while recognising the distinct operating requirements of contract management across the Council. The model will be underpinned by strengthened governance, improved data, clearer accountabilities and more consistent end-to-end commercial processes.
Delivery of the transformation is structured through defined workstreams, with clear accountability for outcomes and supported by a central programme function. The programme is being delivered alongside approved business cases to reduce third-party spend, requiring rapid mobilisation of capability, strong programme discipline and close alignment between design and delivery. This will require experienced, delivery-focused resource to operate at pace, embed new ways of working and ensure benefits are realised from the outset.
Role Overview
Accountable for the end-to-end delivery of the Procurement and Contract Management Operating Model transformation, ensuring clear ownership of outcomes, benefits, governance, system dependencies and cross-workstream alignment. The role will provide overall programme leadership for the transition from a fragmented and decentralised model to a hybrid hub-and-spoke, category-based operating model, with a stronger central procurement hub, clearer service-facing accountabilities and a distinct approach to contract management across the Council.
The role will ensure that programme design, implementation planning, business case delivery, systems alignment, benefits realisation and stakeholder engagement are fully coordinated. It will provide the programme grip required to mobilise at pace, manage dependencies, support effective decision-making and embed new ways of working that deliver measurable improvements in value for money, governance, visibility of spend, contract performance and commercial outcomes.
The role is expected to be time-limited and focused on the mobilisation, implementation and embedding of the transformation programme, with duration aligned to the approved programme plan, delivery milestones and benefits realisation timetable.
Key Responsibilities
- Define, mobilise and maintain a single integrated programme plan, aligning P&CM Op Model implementation with associated business case delivery, including clear phasing, milestones and outcomes.
- Establish and lead a robust programme governance framework, including reporting, risk and issue management, escalation routes and decision-making forums, ensuring clear oversight and accountability.
- Lead the establishment and mobilisation planning for the new operating model, including implementation phasing, transition arrangements, resource requirements, role dependencies, service engagement and readiness activity.
- Lead cross-workstream integration, managing dependencies, sequencing and critical path delivery to ensure coordinated and timely implementation across all elements of the programme.
Procurement Transformation Programme Lead employer: Supply Staff Limited
At Supply Staff Limited, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment that empowers our educators to thrive. Located in the vibrant community of Hertfordshire, we offer competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a culture that values creativity and innovation in teaching. Join us to inspire the next generation of performers while enjoying a fulfilling career in a dynamic educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Transformation Programme Lead
✨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 Procurement Transformation Programme Lead
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 Supply Staff Limited 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, Supply Staff Limited 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 Supply Staff Limited 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 Supply Staff Limited 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 Supply Staff Limited
✨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.
