Strategic Procurement Manager

Salary details: £ - £

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking Strategic Procurement Managers to play a pivotal role in transforming procurement delivery across the Council.

This is a new and strategically important roles, designed to support the transition to a strategic, centralised procurement function. You will act as the strategic procurement lead for a designated directorate, shaping and delivering a tailored procurement strategy aligned to corporate objectives, legislative requirements, and best practice.

You will provide expert leadership across the full procurement lifecycle, embedding a collaborative “One Council” approach, driving value for money, and supporting improved service outcomes.

What You Will Be Doing

• Leading the development and delivery of a directorate‑level procurement strategy aligned with corporate priorities
• Acting as a procurement advisor to, Directors, Executive Directors and Elected Members
• Managing, mentoring, and developing a multi‑disciplinary procurement team, including Senior Procurement Category Managers, Procurement Category Managers, and Procurement Assistants
• Driving strategic procurement delivering including pipeline planning, ensuring procurement activity is proactive, prioritised, and resourced appropriately
• Embedding compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, PCRs, PSR and Council governance frameworks
• Promoting innovation, market engagement, collaboration, and commercial best practice
• Deputising for the Head of Procurement where required.
• Supporting services to strengthen contract management, risk management, and performance monitoring
• Working collaboratively with finance, legal, commissioning, and operational colleagues
• Representing the Council in regional and partnership procurement forums, including collaborative working across neighbouring authorities

About You

You will be a confident procurement leader with significant experience operating at a senior strategic level within a complex organisation.

You will bring:

• Proven experience of strategic procurement leadership
• Extensive knowledge of public sector procurement legislation and frameworks
• A strong track record of leading complex high‑risk, high‑value, and complex procurements in line with public regulations
• Experience of managing and developing high‑performing teams
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including working with senior leaders and Members
• A commercial, solutions‑focused mindset with the ability to lead change and embed new ways of working

Essential Qualifications

• MCIPS qualification (or equivalent experience with evidence of progression)
• Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development

A management or leadership qualification is desirable.

Why Join Us?

• Play a key role in shaping the future of procurement across the Council
• Influence high‑profile, strategically important projects
• Lead and develop a growing professional procurement function
• Work in a collaborative, values‑driven organisation committed to improvement

Provisional Interview Date: Week Commencing 3rd August 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

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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.