Head of Procurement

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is a leading modern University and one of the UK’s largest with a student and staff community approaching 42,000.

The UCLan core campus is based in the city of Preston and covers a significant swathe of the city (an area of approximately 15 hectares with 63 buildings) and recently benefited from a transformative £200m Campus Masterplan to give it a world-class makeover. UCLan has also invested significantly in its Burnley campus to serve Pennine Lancashire and its West Lakes campus to serve West Cumbria.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer, the Head of Procurement will provide the required strategic direction to transform the university’s procurement function into a leading edge, high quality, commercially focussed service which operates collaboratively across the University. You will be responsible for overseeing all procurement activities, managing supplier relationships, and developing strategic sourcing initiatives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Being an integral strategic partner with Schools / Support Functions and supply chain partners
• Leading the development and implementation of Category Plans which underpin the sourcing strategies of the University.
• Ensuring delivery of the Universities strategic objectives for Procurement Process, eSourcing and P2P Systems, Spend and Market Analysis
• Maximising commercial benefits in devolved Contracts Management & improved Supplier Relationship Management 
• Leading Procurement Programmes and negotiating high value and high-risk contractual agreements.
• Working with Financial Services to deliver efficiencies/maximise use of university funds through value for money sourcing strategies.

The Candidate

To excel in this role, you will:

• have a track record of successfully delivering multiple high value/risk procurement programmes and managing large complex contractual arrangements.
• Possess knowledge and subject expertise gained in contract and supplier management of high value strategic contracts.
• Good leadership qualities with the ability to empower and inspire the service team to deliver excellent procurement outcomes.
• Excellent analytical, strategic and stakeholder management skills to enable commercial opportunities to be identified and commercial business cases to be developed.
• Possess a good honours degree and MCIPS membership (or equivalent)

Our offer to you:

• A rewarding career with development opportunities provided to allow you to excel.
• A healthy work-life balance including 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and 4 additional discretionary days off over the Christmas period.
• Financial benefits - all colleagues are eligible to join an occupational pension scheme, have access to discounted travel schemes and salary sacrifice schemes to assist in the purchase of electric vehicles, shopping discounts through our Vivup scheme and discounted sports membership.
• Access to a range of support and resources to support your mental health and wellbeing.

How to Apply:

To apply please visit the University’s People Team webpages at uclan.ac.uk/jobs where you will be asked to upload a CV and a covering letter.

Closing date for receipt of applications: Sunday 25^th August 2024.

Interviews are scheduled to take place on Monday 16th September 2024

For an informal discussion, please contact Denise Helm, George Charles's PA.

UCLan are committed to building a truly inclusive culture where diversity is championed. Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals who will diversify the University’s leadership team and support its development of a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all.

Read more about the benefits of working at UCLan

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Applicants applying for roles in regulated activity and that are listed as an exception under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will be required to disclose any spent and unspent convictions and undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at the appropriate level, UCLan will only ask an applicant to make an application for a DBS check if they are legally entitled to.