Head of Procurement

Client:

University of Staffordshire is an award-winning university with a long, proud heritage in the city of Stoke-on-Trent. 

It is an exciting time to join the organisation after a recent change in 2024, embarking on an exciting new chapter and changing their name from Staffordshire University to University of Staffordshire. The University is a place that celebrates diversity, inclusion and opportunity, they are forward-thinking and built for the changing way we live, work and study.

Role:

Castlefield Recruitment are happy to be working in partnership with the University of Staffordshire as an exciting opportunity has arisen to join their Financial Services department as Head of Procurement.

With addressable non pay spend in excess of £37m and a capital programme of £17m, the Head of Procurement will report to the Director of Finance. You will be responsible for leading the University’s procurement strategy, including the development and implementation of procurement frameworks and overseeing tenders and contract awards for goods, services and works.

Duties will include;

• Driving strategic change to enhance procurement systems and processes, ensuring professionalism and ethical standards
• Creating and updating policies, delivering training, and producing management information on procurement performance for University boards and committees
• Monitoring procurement activities, benchmarking against sector best practices and managing supplier relationships through effective negotiation
• Building and maintaining influential relationships internally and externally is also a critical aspect of this role
• Ability to demonstrate experience in managing a full procurement service, in a public sector environment including formulation of policies and procedures, experience in negotiation and implementation of supplier contracts, relationships management and ensuring compliance with the new Public Procurement Regulations. 
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and influencing skills, you will have experience of building and maintaining effective working relationships with key stakeholders to deliver a collaborative and integrated procurement function

Person:

The successful Head of Procurement:

• Full MCIPS or equivalent level of relevant experience
• Previous experience in the public sector
• Ability to forward plan and demonstrate strategic thinking
• Competent knowledge and application of Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Provider Selection Regime and PA2023

Please note that direct approaches and speculative CV's will be directed to Castlefield Recruitment to be included in the recruitment process.