Procurement Manager

Are you an experienced procurement professional ready to make a significant impact across a high-performing multi academy trust? The GORSE Academies Trust is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Procurement Manager to lead the trust’s end-to-end procurement lifecycle and drive excellent commercial outcomes.

As a key member of the central finance and operations team, you will ensure that all procurement activity is compliant with UK public procurement legislation, the Academy Trust Handbook, and internal financial procedures, while delivering strong value for money and robust governance across our academies.

Working closely with the CFO, Principals and central team Directors, you will lead the development and continuous improvement of the trust’s procurement strategy, manage the trust-wide contract register, support major commercial agreements, and provide expert advice that ensures consistent, effective and compliant purchasing practices across the organisation.

This role would suit for someone who:

• Has experience leading complex, high-value procurements from end-to-end.
• Understands public sector procurement, including use of frameworks, tendering, evaluation and contract mobilisation.
• Has a strong grasp of relevant regulations, including the Procurement Act 2023, DfE Buying for Schools guidance and the Academy Trust Handbook.
• Is commercially astute, analytical and confident in managing suppliers, contracts and commercial negotiations.
• Can build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Is highly organised, detail-oriented and committed to maintaining audit ready standards.
• Enjoys improving systems, processes and tools to embed best practice trust wide.

In this role, you will:

• Lead compliant procurement processes for high value goods and services.
• Develop and deliver the trust’s procurement strategy, embedding innovation, sustainability and social value.
• Manage and maintain the trust’s forward procurement pipeline.
• Oversee the trust-wide contract register, ensuring compliance and timely renewals.
• Provide expert commercial advice and training to staff involved in procurement.
• Undertake procurement assurance work, including internal audits and annual reporting to trustees.
• Build effective relationships with suppliers and represent the trust in procurement networks.
• Ensure all procurement activity meets legal, regulatory and internal governance standards.