Head of Procurement

Lead Procurement Transformation. Deliver Better Outcomes. Shape the Future.

Are you an ambitious procurement leader ready to make a significant impact in one of London's most dynamic local authorities?

Tower Hamlets is seeking an exceptional Head of Procurement to provide strategic leadership for our corporate procurement function, overseeing approximately GBP
450 million of third-party spend annually
. This is a unique opportunity to influence how public services are commissioned, delivered and improved, ensuring maximum value for residents, communities and local businesses.

As Head of Procurement
, you will lead the continued transformation of procurement across the Council, driving innovation, commercial excellence and best practice while embedding a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

This is a highly visible leadership position where you will work closely with senior officers, elected members, partners and suppliers to shape and deliver the Council's procurement strategy.

You will lead a service of up to 22 procurement and commercial professionals
, directly managing senior leaders within the function and ensuring procurement plays a central role in delivering the Council's strategic priorities.

The role combines strategic leadership, commercial expertise and organisational influence, providing the opportunity to drive meaningful change across a large and complex public sector organisation.

You will:

• Lead and deliver the Council's procurement transformation programme, championing innovation, efficiency and best value.
• Develop and implement the Council's procurement strategy, ensuring compliance with legislation, regulations and best practice.
• Provide expert procurement and commercial advice to Corporate Directors, Directors, Members and senior stakeholders.
• Take overall responsibility for procurement governance, contract management frameworks and procurement policies.
• Lead major commercial negotiations and supplier relationships on behalf of the Council.
• Identify and deliver sustainable savings, efficiencies and commercial benefits across a GBP
  450m spend portfolio.
• Support and challenge services to redesign delivery models and achieve improved outcomes for residents.
• Drive collaboration opportunities with other London boroughs and public sector organisations.
• Lead procurement input into major transformation programmes and strategic projects.
• Promote social value, sustainability, innovation and responsible procurement across all Council activities.
• Oversee procurement reporting, performance management and compliance monitoring.
• Manage procurement service budgets of approximately GBP2m.
• Represent the Council at local, regional and national forums, conferences and professional networks.

We're seeking a strategic and commercially astute leader with a proven track record of delivering results within a complex organisation.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience leading a procurement function within a large, complex organisation in either the public or private sector.
• A demonstrable record of delivering procurement transformation, commercial savings and service improvements.
• Experience leading organisational and cultural change programmes.
• Strong experience managing budgets, teams and performance in a leadership capacity.
• A track record of developing innovative procurement and commercial strategies that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders, executives, boards, elected members or equivalent governance structures.
• Deep expertise in procurement, sourcing, contract management and commercial strategy.
• Strong understanding of the financial, legal and governance requirements associated with procurement.
• The ability to develop and implement long-term strategic plans while maintaining operational delivery.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical capability and confidence using data to inform decision making.
• The ability to build high-performing teams and create a culture focused on excellence and continuous improvement.

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.
• Relevant professional qualification (such as CIPS
  ) is highly desirable.