Interim Procurement Business Partner
Public Sector | Milton Keynes | 6-8 Month Contract
Immediate Start | Hybrid Working | Flexible Working
An opportunity for an experienced public-sector procurement professional to make an immediate impact.
We are working with an established and growing public-sector organisation seeking an experienced Interim Procurement Business Partner to provide procurement expertise and support across a varied procurement portfolio.
This is an initial 6-8-month assignment, offering an immediate start for someone who can quickly establish themselves, take ownership of procurement activity and provide effective commercial support to key stakeholders.
The role will involve leading and managing competitive tendering exercises, running mini-competitions through established procurement frameworks, supporting strategic sourcing activity and ensuring procurement processes remain compliant with relevant public-sector legislation.
You will work closely with the Head of Procurement and internal stakeholders, providing specialist advice, managing supplier relationships and identifying opportunities to deliver value for money, efficiencies and commercial improvements.
The Role
Taking responsibility for a range of procurement activities, your duties will include:
Leading and managing end-to-end procurement and competitive tendering exercises, ensuring compliance with relevant public-sector procurement legislation.
Managing further competitions and mini-competitions under established procurement frameworks.
Developing and implementing sourcing strategies to achieve best value and commercial efficiencies.
Working closely with internal stakeholders to understand requirements, challenge specifications and provide appropriate procurement solutions.
Managing supplier negotiations, commercial evaluations and contract award recommendations.
Building effective supplier relationships and monitoring contractual performance.
Identifying opportunities to deliver cost savings, efficiencies and wider commercial benefits.
Providing specialist procurement advice and guidance to stakeholders.
Supporting procurement governance, compliance and continuous improvement initiatives.
Managing competing priorities and ensuring procurement activity progresses to agreed timescales.
About You
We are looking for an experienced procurement professional who can operate confidently within a public-sector environment and make an immediate contribution.
You will ideally have:
Demonstrable procurement experience within a public-sector organisation - essential.
Strong experience managing end-to-end tendering and competitive procurement exercises.
Practical experience of running mini-competitions and further competitions under public-sector frameworks.
A good working knowledge of public procurement legislation, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or Procurement Act 2023.
Strong commercial negotiation, supplier management and contract management skills.
The ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders and provide sound procurement advice.
A commercially focused approach, with a track record of delivering savings and procurement improvements.
The ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities and hit the ground running.
MCIPS qualification or working towards professional accreditation would be advantageous.
Previous NHS or healthcare procurement experience would be beneficial, although candidates from local government, central government and other public-sector organisations will also be considered.
Assignment Details & Working Arrangements
Duration: Initial 6-8-month assignment.
Start: Immediate start preferred.
Location: Milton Keynes.
Working pattern: 37.5 hours per week.
Hybrid working: Flexibility to consider as little as 1 day per week or even 1 day per month for the right candidate, subject to agreement.
Flexible hours: Flexibility around start and finish times.
Compressed hours: Open to considering the full 37.5 hours across 4 days.
If you are an experienced public-sector procurement professional available for an interim assignment and have the tendering, framework and stakeholder management experience required, we would be keen to hear from you.
Please get in touch for a confidential discussion and further details.
Huntress does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation. PLEASE NOTE! You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to your situation before applying for any jobs. We are acting as a Recruitment Agency in relation to this role
