Procurement Manager

On behalf of DWP, we are looking for a Procurement Manager x 2 for a 6 months (Inside IR35) contract working on a hybrid basis and with an expectation of 3 days attendance in the Leeds, Manchester or Blackpool offices with Leeds the office preference. Travel may be required. (Candidates must live within a commutable distance of Leeds, ideally within approximately one hour of travel.)The

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department, it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers. As such, we operate on a scale that is almost unmatched anywhere in Europe and most people in Britain come into contact with us at some point in their lives.

Working with DWP, you will be helping us to drive our priorities to:
* Help people to move into work and support those already in work to progress, with the aim of increasing overall workforce participation
* Help people to plan and save for later life, while providing a safety net for those who need it now
* Provide effective, efficient, and innovative services to the millions of claimants who rely on us every day, including the most vulnerable in society
* Improve experience of our services while maximising value for money for the taxpayer.

The role:

We are looking for two experienced Procurement Managers to join a public sector organisation based in Leeds. These roles will support a combination of BAU procurement activity and programme delivery, with a key focus on managing procurement activity, supplier relationships and the wider supply base. One contractor is expected to support the BAU team initially, while the second will work directly on a programme of work.

Candidates must live within a commutable distance of Leeds, ideally within approximately one hour of travel.

As a Procurement Manager, your main responsibilities will be to:
* Lead and manage end-to-end procurement and sourcing activities within a regulated public sector environment.
* Develop and deliver sourcing strategies in line with organisational requirements and commercial objectives.
* Manage procurement processes from initial requirement through to contract award and implementation.
* Prepare and manage tender documentation, including specifications, evaluation criteria and procurement documentation.
* Ensure procurement activity complies with relevant public sector procurement legislation, frameworks and commercial governance.
* Apply knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015).
* Manage contracts and support effective contract performance throughout the supplier lifecycle.
* Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, including monitoring supplier performance and service delivery.
* Support the consolidation and rationalisation of the existing supply base into a more manageable supplier portfolio.
* Engage with suppliers throughout the procurement lifecycle and support effective supplier negotiations.
* Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand requirements and provide professional procurement and commercial advice.
* Analyse commercial, procurement and supplier data to identify trends, risks, savings and opportunities for improvement.
* Support procurement activity relating to external resourcing, contingent labour and workforce-related commercial services where required.
* Manage multiple procurement work streams and priorities across both programme and BAU activity.
* Prepare clear reports, analysis and recommendations for senior stakeholders.
* Support continuous improvement across procurement, sourcing, contract management and supplier management.
* Use systems including Atamis and Microsoft Office applications to manage procurement activity, reporting and stakeholder communications.

Essential:
* Strong experience working as a Procurement Manager, Commercial Manager or Senior Procurement Professional.
* Significant public sector procurement experience.
* Strong end-to-end sourcing and procurement experience.
* Experience managing procurement…