Senior Procurement Officer (People Services)

Some procurements buy products. Others help shape lives.

If your procurement career has involved sourcing services that support vulnerable adults, children, families, learners or communities, you'll understand that success isn't measured purely by savings.

It's measured by outcomes.

The right contract can create independence, improve wellbeing, strengthen safeguarding arrangements, expand learning opportunities and deliver meaningful social value alongside commercial effectiveness.

We're working with a South West London public sector organisation seeking a commercially minded procurement professional to take ownership of a diverse portfolio of service-based procurement projects, typically ranging from £3m to £6m in value.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys partnering with operational teams, influencing stakeholders and running end-to-end procurements that genuinely matter.

You might currently be procuring services such as: Adult Social Care Supported Living Homecare Residential Care Extra Care Housing Learning Disabilities Services Mental Health Services Children & Families Services SEND Provision Adult Learning Lifelong Learning Sexual Health Services Community Services Public Health Programmes Advocacy and Support Services Or you may have worked across several of these areas and are now looking for a role with greater strategic ownership.

What you'll be doing

You will lead complex procurement exercises from early market engagement through to contract award and implementation, supporting a portfolio of critical frontline services.

Working closely with commissioners, operational leaders and senior stakeholders, you'll:

Manage full end-to-end tender processes Develop procurement and category strategies Challenge service design and delivery models Identify opportunities for savings and service improvement Lead market engagement and supplier relationship activity Drive social value and community outcomes through procurement Support procurement transformation initiatives Mentor and oversee junior procurement colleagues Deputise for senior procurement leaders when required This is far more than a transactional tendering role.

You'll be expected to bring commercial challenge, influence decision-making and help shape the future direction of key services.

What we're looking for

You don't necessarily need to have held the title "Category Advisor" before.

More important is that you can demonstrate:

Recent public sector procurement experience Experience running PCR compliant or Procurement Act compliant tender processes Ownership of medium to high-value service procurements Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills Confidence working with senior operational leaders Commercial acumen and analytical capability A genuine interest in improving service outcomes through procurement Professional Development

Whether you're already studying towards CIPS or have not yet started, you'll need to be willing to work towards MCIPS and begin that journey shortly after joining if not already enrolled.

Location

South West London

Hybrid working with approximately three days per week in the office.

This role is likely to be particularly attractive to candidates living in South West London, Surrey, Kingston, Sutton, Croydon, Richmond, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Epsom, Reigate, Guildford and surrounding areas.

If you've ever wanted your procurement expertise to have a visible impact on people's lives while still operating in a highly commercial environment, we'd love to hear from you