Procurement Manager – AR

Procurement Manager

West Northamptonshire Council
Location: Northampton (Hybrid – predominantly remote, with attendance in the office approximately once per week)
Contract Length: 3 months
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Rate: £358.73 PAYE per day
IR35 Status: Inside IR35
Start Date: ASAP

Job Purpose

West Northamptonshire Council is seeking an experienced Procurement Manager to join the Corporate Finance and Procurement Team within Strategic Finance.

The role will provide strategic procurement advice and support across council services, ensuring procurement activity delivers value for money, supports corporate priorities, and remains compliant with current procurement legislation.

The successful candidate will lead complex procurement exercises, including end-to-end tender processes and framework agreements, while acting as a trusted procurement business partner to service managers, senior officers, and directors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage end-to-end procurement projects, including high-value procurements typically over £100k.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with council objectives and service requirements.
• Provide expert procurement advice to senior stakeholders, including directors and heads of service.
• Manage tender processes including:
  • Developing procurement documentation
  • Creating evaluation criteria
  • Managing supplier engagement
  • Supporting bid evaluations
  • Delivering contract awards
• Lead on compliant procurement activity in line with:
  • Procurement Act 2023 (PA23)
  • Public Contracts Regulations 2015
  • Council Contract Procedure Rules
  • Social Value requirements
• Support service areas with commercial advice, procurement planning, and contract management.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiencies, and improved service outcomes.
• Undertake market analysis and supplier research to understand risks, capacity, and opportunities.
• Negotiate with suppliers to achieve strong commercial outcomes while maintaining positive relationships.
• Manage procurement risks and ensure continuity of supply.
• Develop strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Support the Procurement Business Partner team with additional procurement activity across People Services and Resources.

Candidate Requirements

The successful candidate will have:

Essential Experience

• Significant experience working within public sector procurement.
• Local authority procurement experience.
• Proven experience managing complex procurement projects from start to finish.
• Experience delivering procurement exercises involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience managing framework agreements and high-value contracts.
• Experience advising senior stakeholders on procurement strategy and commercial decisions.

Essential Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of procurement legislation, including Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
• Understanding of public sector procurement processes and e-procurement systems.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to identify savings opportunities.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to engage at all levels.
• Ability to develop procurement strategies and deliver value-for-money solutions.

Qualifications

• Degree qualification and/or working towards or holding full professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS).
• MCIPS qualification is essential for this role.

Key Skills

• Strategic Procurement
• Public Sector Procurement
• Procurement Act 2023 (PA23)
• End-to-End Tender Management
• Framework Agreements
• Contract Management
• Supplier Negotiation
• Category Management
• Commercial Strategy
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Local Authority Procurement
• Procurement Compliance

Ideal Background

This role would suit an experienced:

• Procurement Manager
• Strategic Procurement Manager
• Senior Procurement Manager
• Procurement Business Partner
• Category Manager
• Senior Procurement Officer

with strong local government procurement experience and the ability to independently manage complex procurement activity.