Senior Procurement Category Manager (2 posts)

Salary details: £ - £

About the Role

We are looking to appoint experienced and motivated Senior Procurement Category Managers to support the delivery of a strategic, proactive procurement function across the Council.

This is a key leadership role within the Procurement service, responsible for delivering the Council’s procurement strategy across a designated directorate. You will act as a trusted business partner to senior leaders, leading complex and high‑value procurement activity, embedding proactive procurement planning, compliance, and driving continuous improvement in commercial outcomes.

You will also play an important role in developing and mentoring procurement colleagues, while providing strategic continuity by deputising for the Strategic Procurement Manager when required.

What You Will Be Doing

• Supporting the delivery of the directorate procurement strategy, aligning activity to service priorities, budgets, and corporate objectives
• Acting as a senior procurement partner to Assistant directors, Heads of Service, Service Managers, and budget holders
• Leading high‑value, high‑risk, and complex procurement projects, ensuring robust governance and legal compliance
• Managing and mentoring a team of Procurement Category Managers and Procurement Assistants supporting their development and performance
• Deputising for the Strategic Procurement Manager where required, providing leadership continuity
• Embedding compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, PCRs, PSR and Council governance frameworks
• Supporting early engagement in service planning to shape appropriate commercial solutions
• Driving improved contract management, performance monitoring, and risk management across services
• Promoting innovation, collaboration, and best practice within procurement delivery
• Representing the Council in partnership procurement forums, including work with neighbouring authorities.

About You

You will be an experienced procurement professional with strong leadership capability and a track record of delivering complex procurement in a regulated environment.

You will bring:

• Substantial experience delivering high‑value and complex procurement activity, ideally within the public sector
• In‑depth knowledge of public procurement legislation and frameworks
• Experience of managing, mentoring, and developing procurement staff
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• A strategic, solutions‑focused mindset with the ability to work proactively with services
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to manage risk and compliance effectively

Essential Qualifications

• CIPS Level 5 or equivalent experience with evidence of progression

A management qualification or leadership experience is desirable.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a service transformation, helping shape a modern, strategic procurement function
• Work on high‑profile and complex procurement projects that make a real difference
• Opportunity to develop leadership and strategic management experience
• Supportive, collaborative team environment

Provisional Interview Dates: Week Commencing 27th July 2026

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

CST1

This role currently offers hybrid working options which will be to subject service needs, there'll be an opportunity to discuss working arrangements for this position at interview.

Important: Derbyshire County Council holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Please apply only if you already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, as applications that do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.