Chief Procurement Officer

Chief Procurement Officer to lead a strategic procurement function at the most senior level within a complex public sector organisation. The role shapes how the organisation commissions, contracts, and delivers at scale, advising senior leaders and elected members and strengthening procurement governance across goods, services, and works. You will lead procurement activity aligned to organisational priorities and drive value, innovation, and strong controls for a very large portfolio of spend.

Key responsibilities include providing commercial assurance and expert guidance at executive, board, and governance forums, leading and developing a high-performing, customer-focused procurement service, and overseeing major programmes such as construction frameworks and dynamic marketplaces. You will enhance value for money through effective governance, while enabling innovation and supporting in sourcing where appropriate. The role is positioned at the heart of decision-making and will involve transforming how procurement partners with the wider organisation.

The role typically requires MCIPS qualification or equivalent senior-level procurement experience, along with proven leadership of a large public sector procurement function managing significant spend. You should have deep knowledge of public sector procurement legislation and regulatory frameworks, strong stakeholder management skills, and a track record of transformation, including embedding business partnering and modern procurement practices. The organisation encourages early engagement and supports reasonable adjustments throughout the application and hiring process, with recruitment decisions based on experience and skills.