Specialist Procurement Advisor – AR

Job Description:

Specialist Procurement Advisor (Project) (Procurement Delivery & Business Case Implementation) Organisation Overview

Southwark Council is undertaking a major transformation programme to improve value for money, strengthen commercial capability, and deliver better outcomes for residents. Working in partnership with PwC, the Council has developed a series of cross-council business cases focused on reducing third-party spend, improving contract management, and delivering sustainable financial and service improvements.

This role sits within a high-profile transformation programme responsible for delivering these business cases and embedding a new Procurement & Contract Management Target Operating Model across the organisation.

The Specialist Procurement Advisor (Project) is responsible for the hands‑on delivery of approved procurement business cases and associated savings initiatives across key council spend areas.

The role ensures that procurement strategies are translated into actionable delivery plans, supplier negotiations are effectively managed, and agreed financial and operational outcomes are achieved.

The postholder acts as a key delivery lead between service areas, finance, procurement, suppliers, and senior governance forums, ensuring pace, accountability, and alignment across all stakeholders.

• Translate approved business cases into detailed delivery plans with clear actions, ownership, and timelines
• Deliver category‑level procurement plans aligned to savings and transformation objectives
• Ensure delivery of agreed savings, outcomes, and performance improvements
• Monitor progress against milestones and take corrective action where required
• Ensure compliance with Contract Standing Orders and procurement governance requirements

• Act as the key interface between service areas, procurement, finance, and programme leadership
• Coordinate cross‑functional delivery activity to ensure alignment and avoid duplication
• Chair regular delivery meetings and stand‑ups to track progress, risks, and dependencies
• Provide updates to programme governance forums and senior stakeholders

• Engage directly with suppliers to negotiate pricing, terms, and service improvements
• Drive value‑for‑money outcomes through contract renegotiation and commercial challenge
• Establish and support structured contract management arrangements with service areas
• Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective action where required

• Identify and manage risks, issues, and dependencies impacting delivery
• Work with stakeholders to remove blockers and maintain delivery momentum
• Escalate risks and issues through appropriate governance channels
• Maintain visibility of cross‑cutting programme risks

• Work closely with Finance to track savings and validate benefits
• Support forecasting and reporting of financial outcomes
• Ensure delivery aligns with agreed financial baselines and methodologies

• Maintain key programme documentation including delivery plans, risk logs, and action trackers
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on progress, risks and outcomes
• Support reporting to Programme Board and senior leadership

• Capture lessons learned and feed into ongoing delivery improvement
• Support embedding of the Procurement & Contract Management Target Operating Model
• Contribute insights to improve procurement processes, category strategies and contract management practices

• Service Directors and Operational Leads
• Procurement & Category Management Teams
• Finance Business Partners
• Programme Manager and PMO
• Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and Programme Board
• Suppliers and external service providers
• Senior Council Leadership (e.g. Director of Commercial, Director Of Finance)

• Strong background in procurement, category management or commercial contract management
• Experience delivering procurement‑led savings or…