Procurement Business Partner

Reports to: Head of Procurement
Direct Reports: 2

The Opportunity

I am looking for an experienced Procurement Business Partner to act as a strategic link between procurement and service areas. This is a senior, commercially focused role responsible for ensuring procurement activity aligns with strategic priorities, delivers value for money, and complies with public sector legislation.

You will play a key role in shaping sourcing strategies, leading complex procurements, supporting contract owners, and embedding best practice contract management. This role requires both strategic thinking and hands-on delivery.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of commercially focused sourcing and contract management strategies.

• Create and maintain category plans and ensure all activity is captured within the procurement pipeline.

• Conduct market analysis to inform sourcing decisions and identify savings opportunities.

• Provide robust value-for-money challenge and strategic procurement advice to service leads.

• Apply procurement policies (including social value and sustainability) to maximise benefits from third-party spend.

• Lead negotiations on major procurements and support contract drafting in collaboration with legal and finance teams.

• Ensure effective contract management in line with the Procurement Act 2023.

• Monitor procurement compliance and address areas of non-compliance.

• Prepare tender award reports and senior-level briefings.

• Work with audit colleagues to identify and mitigate risk.

• Provide training and guidance on procurement best practice.

• Collaborate with other public sector bodies to support joined-up procurement approaches.

• Manage, develop and performance-manage a small team.

• Identify and deliver process improvements and verified savings.

This role may also deputise for the Head of Procurement when required.

What I'm Looking For

Experience & Expertise

You will bring:

• Significant senior-level public sector procurement experience.

• Strong knowledge of public sector procurement legislation.

• Proven experience managing end-to-end tender processes and contract lifecycle management.

• Experience leading strategic and cross-functional projects.

• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.

• Experience analysing procurement data and translating insight into strategy.

• A track record of influencing senior stakeholders.

• Experience managing and developing staff.

• Knowledge of social value, sustainability and ethical supply chain standards.

• Confidence using e-procurement systems and standard IT packages.

• Strong report writing and presentation skills.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field (desirable).

• CIPS LEVEL 5 or 6

• Evidence of continued professional development.

• PRINCE2 (Foundation or Practitioner) - desirable.

Personal Attributes

I'm looking for someone who:

• Builds strong working relationships at all levels.

• Is confident managing conflict and making difficult decisions.

• Thinks strategically and analytically.

• Is highly organised and detail-focused.

• Communicates clearly and confidently to varied audiences.

• Demonstrates integrity and professionalism.

• Is proactive, resilient, and delivery-focused.

• Champions continuous improvement and innovation.