Service Manager Procurement & Payments

Job Title:
Service Manager - Procurement

Location:
Newcastle

Sector:
Public Sector

Rate: £274.39 per day PAYE (Flexible Holiday Pay Options)

Contract: 6 Months

Working Pattern: 37 Hours per Week

Hybrid Working:
Hybrid arrangement available

Our client, a large and complex public sector organisation, is seeking an experienced Procurement leader to provide strategic and operational management of its corporate procurement function. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior procurement professional to lead service delivery, drive transformation, ensure legislative compliance, and embed commercial best practice across the organisation.

The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping procurement strategy, improving outcomes, delivering value for money, and supporting organisational priorities through innovative and compliant procurement solutions.

• Lead and manage the corporate procurement service, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, customer-focused and value-driven procurement activity.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies, policies, procedures and operating models aligned to organisational objectives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023, Provider Selection Regime and associated regulations.
• Drive procurement transformation, service improvement and change programmes to enhance performance and efficiency.
• Provide expert procurement advice and guidance to senior leaders, directors, elected members and governance boards.
• Lead supplier relationship management, contract governance arrangements and commercial risk management activities.
• Deliver measurable savings, efficiencies and value-for-money outcomes across a diverse range of procurement categories.
• Champion social value, sustainability, ethical procurement and community wealth building principles throughout procurement activity.

• Significant senior-level procurement management experience within a large and complex organisation, ideally within local government, the wider public sector or another regulated environment.
• Extensive knowledge of public procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023, Provider Selection Regime and associated regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience leading procurement transformation programmes, service improvements and organisational change initiatives.
• Demonstrable experience advising senior stakeholders, executive leadership teams, elected members and governance bodies.
• Strong track record of leading high-performing procurement teams and delivering commercial, operational and strategic outcomes.

• Professional procurement qualification (CIPS or equivalent).
• Experience working within a local authority environment.
• Knowledge of social value frameworks and sustainable procurement practices.
• Experience managing complex supplier portfolios and strategic contract arrangements.
• Understanding of regional procurement partnerships and collaborative procurement models.