Procurement Manager

Location:

Northampton / Hybrid
Client:
West Northamptonshire Council

Contract:

3 months

Start date:

3 August 2026
End date: 3 November 2026

Hours:

37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Working hours:

9:00am–5:30pm
Rate: £358.73 per day PAYE
Hybrid working:
Mainly remote, with attendance in Northampton approximately once a week

Lynx Employment Services is recruiting an experienced Procurement Manager to support the clients Corporate Finance and Procurement Team.

The successful candidate will manage a specific end-to-end procurement process, including running a compliant procurement exercise for a framework agreement. They will also provide additional support within the People and Resources Procurement Business Partner Team.

## Key responsibilities

Lead and manage complex, end-to-end procurement exercises.

Develop procurement strategies, project plans, tender documents and evaluation processes.

Provide strategic procurement advice on programmes and projects valued at more than £100,000.

Ensure procurement activity complies with current UK legislation, the Procurement Act 2023, council procedures and best practice.

Advise senior officers, service managers and stakeholders on procurement strategy, commercial risk and value for money.

Influence contract specifications and evaluation criteria to improve outcomes, reduce costs and protect service continuity.

Manage stakeholder relationships throughout the procurement cycle.

Research markets, benchmark costs and identify innovative procurement solutions.

Support the delivery of savings, social value and wider council objectives.

Manage competing commercial, operational and legislative priorities.
## Essential requirements

Applicants must have:

Full MCIPS qualification.
Practical experience of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23).
Significant procurement experience within a local authority or comparable public-sector environment.
Experience leading complex, collaborative or multi-stakeholder procurement projects.
Extensive knowledge of procurement management techniques and e-procurement systems.
Knowledge of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
Strong commercial, negotiation and contract-management skills.
The ability to advise and influence senior stakeholders, including directors.
Excellent project planning, communication and relationship-management skills.
The ability to attend the Northampton office approximately once a week.

## Working arrangements

The role is classed as flexible, with most work completed remotely. The appointed Procurement Manager will be expected to attend meetings in Northampton when required, normally around once per week.
The selection process will be conducted via Microsoft Teams