Head of Procurement

Head of Procurement
Salary: Management Pay Scale (spine points 24-29), £56,927 - £64,822p/a (plus LGPS Pension; 40 days annual leave, access to electric car scheme; for an exceptional candidate, an additional recruitment and retention allowance is possible).
Location: Sutton (3 days per week), remote working (2 days per week); some travel to schools required.
Working Pattern: 36hrs per week, 8.45am – 4.30pm (M-Th) and 8.45am – 4.15pm (Fr), all year round.
Closing Date: Midnight on Wednesday 28th February 2024.
Interviews: Thursday 7th March 2024.
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHC&AT) is a family of specialist education providers for over 1500 pupils and students from nursery to further education across 14 academies and 8 college centres in London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. Supporting our academies and college, OHC&AT also operate learning support, such as nursing and therapy, and a central business support team which includes HR, finance and IT.
Pupils and students within the OHC&AT family have a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs including autistic spectrum disorder; speech, language and communication difficulties; social, emotional and mental health; profound and multiple disabilities; and physical disabilities including multi-sensory impairment and complex health needs.
OHC&AT is a rewarding and inspirational place to work, where everyone works together to create the best possible outcomes for students. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit www.ohcat.org
Join OHC&AT in contributing to the operational success of our educational institutions and ensuring efficient procurement practices.
Responsibilities:
As the Head of Procurement, you play a crucial role in the operational efficiency of OHC&AT. Leading the Procurement Team, you will manage procurement processes, ensuring strict compliance with regulations. Your focus will encompass achieving cost savings, overseeing complex procurements, and maintaining streamlined contract management. You will also have the knowledge, drive and vision to take the procurement department to the next level.
Key Duties:
Provide expert procurement and commercial advice for compliance and cost-effectiveness.
Lead complex procurements, meticulously adhering to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (soon to be replaced by the Procurement Act 2023) Own and enforce the Procurement Strategy and Policy, ensuring procedural compliance.
Manage and cultivate the Procurement Team to deliver cost savings and operational efficiency.
Collaborate seamlessly with key stakeholders, including ESLT, Finance, Estates, HR, and Academy Principals.
Requirements:
Proven experience in a senior procurement role, preferably within the education or public sector.
In-depth knowledge of all procurement regulations (currently PCR 2015) and compliance requirements.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and develop a proficient team.
Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
Key Initiatives:
Purchase to Pay Modernisation (centralised procurement, increased use of purchase orders)
Supplier/Contract Management (introduce collaborative, risk-based supplier and contract management)
Create and introduce a dashboard-style metrics report on all procurement KPIs.
Understand, communicate, and implement the changes from the Procurement Act 2023.
Please see the attached job description for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.
For an informal discussion about the role, candidates are invited to contact Mike Wilson, Director of Finance, via mwilson@ohcat.org to arrange a time to speak on the phone.
OHC&AT is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
Interviews will take place on: Thursday 7th March 2024.
To apply for this role, you will be redirected to our online TES portal. If you have any queries, please contact jobs@orchardhill.ac.uk.
Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.
Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.