Procurement Manager
Location: Leeds
Contract: Full-time
Start Date: To be agreed with the successful candidate
Contract Type: Permanent or Temp-to-Perm
Are you an experienced procurement professional looking for an opportunity to make a significant impact across a high-performing multi-academy trust?
We are currently recruiting for a highly skilled and motivated Procurement Manager to lead the end-to-end procurement lifecycle across a large education organisation and drive excellent commercial outcomes.
As a key member of the central finance and operations team, you will ensure that procurement activity is compliant with UK public procurement legislation, the Academy Trust Handbook and internal financial procedures, while delivering strong value for money and robust governance across multiple academies.
Working closely with the CFO, Principals and central team Directors, you will play a key role in developing and continuously improving the organisation’s procurement strategy. You will manage the organisation-wide contract register, support major commercial agreements and provide expert advice to ensure consistent, effective and compliant purchasing practices.
About You
- Has experience leading complex, high-value procurements from end to end.
- Has a strong understanding of public-sector procurement, including frameworks, tendering, evaluation and contract mobilisation.
- Has knowledge of relevant regulations, including the Procurement Act 2023, DfE Buying for Schools guidance and Academy Trust Handbook.
- Is commercially astute, analytical and confident managing suppliers, contracts and commercial negotiations.
- Can build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
- Is highly organised, detail-oriented and committed to maintaining audit-ready standards.
- Enjoys improving systems, processes and tools to embed procurement best practice across a multi-academy environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead compliant procurement processes for high-value goods and services.
- Develop and deliver the organisation’s procurement strategy.
- Embed innovation, sustainability and social value into procurement activity.
- Manage and maintain the forward procurement pipeline.
- Oversee the organisation-wide contract register, ensuring compliance and timely contract renewals.
- Provide expert commercial advice and guidance to staff involved in procurement.
- Deliver procurement training and support to relevant colleagues.
- Undertake procurement assurance activities, including internal audits.
- Contribute to annual procurement reporting to trustees.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers.
- Represent the organisation within relevant procurement networks.
- Ensure all procurement activity meets legal, regulatory and internal governance requirements.
- Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, efficiency and value for money.
What We Offer
The organisation is committed to supporting professionals at every stage of their career, providing access to expert support, development and training.
Benefits include:
- Membership of a teacher or local government pension scheme, depending on the role.
- Continued investment in professional development and career progression.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme, providing confidential professional advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- The opportunity to work within a collaborative and high-performing education environment.
- The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to procurement, governance and commercial performance across multiple academies.
About the Organisation
This is a well-established multi-academy trust operating across 15 academies, alongside a central team and wider educational initiatives.
The organisation has a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and is focused on creating an environment where every student can achieve regardless of their circumstances.
The academies and central teams work closely together as part of a collaborative network, sharing expertise, resources and best practice to support excellent educational outcomes.
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