Director of Procurement

at  The University of Manchester

For 200 years, The University of Manchester has been a centre of teaching excellence, world-class research, outstanding student experience, and social responsibility.
We’ve been making an impact since day one; from creating the world’s first nuclear reaction, to building the modern computer, isolating graphene, pioneering development economics, and transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment across the world. And it doesn’t stop there our teaching and learning approach creates life-changing student experiences, inspires lifelong learning and shapes exceptional graduate outcomes for global citizens of the future.

We are seeking a high calibre procurement professional to lead the procurement function of the University and develop the procurement strategy. The role includes overseeing the systems and processes by which goods, services and works are procured to ensure that the University delivers value for money whilst managing legal and commercial risk across its entire portfolio of non-pay spend (over £500m pa). Key deliverables will include:

• Manage and promote the value of procurement within the University, making best use of the University’s position outside the public sector procurement regime, whilst leveraging consortia benefits where appropriate.
• Review and implement new procurement strategies, polices and processes across an exceedingly varied range of procurement activities, including facilities and property management for a portfolio of 183 buildings, IT contracts and highly technical scientific equipment to support our world-class research.
• Monitor and improve non-pay efficiency and contract compliance so that all categories of spend are actively managed.
• Provide procurement and commercial advice to colleagues, for both general issues and specific projects, including maximising social value in line with our core goal of social responsibility.
• Manage and develop the Central Procurement Office team of 20 + professionals.
• Represent the University and its interests at a range of local, regional and national procurement forums.

Your background is not important to us; a thorough understanding of the role of procurement and its relationship with other functions in a complex and diverse organisation is. This includes direct experience of a variety of category spend areas e.g. Estates, Technology, Property and Facilities, Support Services etc. to ensure that support and direction is provided across all key areas.
Professional competence and skill set ideally demonstrated by possession of an appropriate qualification e.g. Membership of the Chartered Institute of Supply.

• Manage and promote the value of procurement within the University, making best use of the University’s position outside the public sector procurement regime, whilst leveraging consortia benefits where appropriate.
• Review and implement new procurement strategies, polices and processes across an exceedingly varied range of procurement activities, including facilities and property management for a portfolio of 183 buildings, IT contracts and highly technical scientific equipment to support our world-class research.
• Monitor and improve non-pay efficiency and contract compliance so that all categories of spend are actively managed.
• Provide procurement and commercial advice to colleagues, for both general issues and specific projects, including maximising social value in line with our core goal of social responsibility.
• Manage and develop the Central Procurement Office team of 20 + professionals.
• Represent the University and its interests at a range of local, regional and national procurement forums