Procurement Manager

Join the West Midlands Combined Authority as a Procurement Manager and play a key role in delivering strategic procurement projects that make a real difference across the region. This is an exciting opportunity to join a double national award-winning Procurement team, recognised for innovation, excellence and delivering high-impact outcomes that support the Mayor's ambitions for jobs, homes, transport and inclusive growth.

From transforming public transport and infrastructure to enabling digital innovation and sustainable communities, you will lead and manage a diverse portfolio of procurement activity across infrastructure, corporate services and wider organisational priorities. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will develop sourcing strategies, deliver compliant end-to-end procurement exercises and secure best value outcomes.

We are looking for an experienced public sector procurement professional who can hit the ground running, act as a trusted commercial adviser, lead complex open tenders from start to finish under PCR2015 / PA2023, and drive innovation, value and strong governance across the organisation.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead end-to-end procurement activity across complex and high-value projects.
• Apply social value requirements effectively within individual procurements and challenge stakeholders where proposals fall short to maximise social, economic and environmental outcomes, in line with the WCMA Social Value Policy.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned to business priorities.
• Deliver compliant tender processes under relevant public procurement legislation.
• Manage open tenders, competitive procedures and market engagement exercises.
• Provide commercial advice to senior leaders and project teams.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration, aggregation and improved value for money.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and partners.
• Support supplier mobilisation, contract implementation and performance management.
• Maintain robust governance, audit trails and compliance standards.
• Promote continuous improvement, innovation and best practice across procurement activity.
• Represent WMCA professionally with external partners, suppliers and regional stakeholders.

What's essential:

• Must have experience running full Open Tenders, independently under PCR2015/PA2023.
• Demonstrates the ability to develop procurement strategies (using appropriate tools and techniques), lead on engaging and evaluate tender responses, undertake bid conditioning and bid clarification, debrief suppliers, award contracts, manage supplier relationships, supplier performance and undertake supplier and contract management activities.
• Strategic sourcing knowledge and experience.
• Experience of computerised financial systems.
• Experience of influencing senior management to accept and endorse proposals, procedures, systems and methods of working.
• Ability to build credibility with key stakeholders and obtain their buy in.
• Able to effectively present information, proposals and ideas whilst engaging the audience and clearly communicating the benefits of change.
• Track record of ability to deliver against targets.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office, Outlook and similar systems.

Location: The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

Salary and benefits:

• We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate.
• This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.
• Local Government Pension Scheme - one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK.
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.
• EV car benefit scheme.
• Healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership, wills writing, and mortgage advice.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Interest-free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology.
• Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more.
• You can now also obtain a Costco membership through the WMCA.
• Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

Reasonable adjustments: If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).

Right to Work in the UK: Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed. Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).