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More about your role   

Due to an internal promotion, we are now looking for a Head of Procurement Optimisation to join us at PfP. We are looking for someone with new ideas who can challenge how we do things and continuously seeking smarter, more effective ways of working to drive greater value, efficiency, and impact across procurement. 

You will be a key part ofshaping and refining the Procurement Strategy to align with Group objectives while driving operational efficiency. You'll lead supplier onboarding, streamline the supply base, and embed supplier management frameworks that maximise value. Strengthening controls, you'll ensure compliance, value for money, and effective procurement processes. You'll support operational needs with practical sourcing tools, harness data and technology for better insights, and build strong internal and external relationships. As a key ambassador, you'll uphold regulatory standards and position the organisation as a sector leader. 

This role offers a hybrid working arrangement, with the expectation that you will be present in the South Rings, Preston office 1 to 2 days per week to collaborate with the team and support key business activities. The remaining time can be worked remotely. To be considered for this role you will need to be within a commutable distance of our Preston office.  

Essential Criteria   

• Proven leadership skills with significant experience in a senior procurement role 

• In-depth knowledge of procurement controls, compliance, and end-to-end processes, with the ability to implement consistent and efficient practices across a large, complex organisation 

• Previous experience in a similar sized organisation to PfP. 

• Skilled in using procurement data and technology to drive insights, support decision-making, and deliver measurable value 

• Experience with spend analytics tools and/or supplier or contract management platforms 

• Proven ability to reduce supplier costs through a range of strategies, including, but not limited to sourcing, negotiation, consolidation, and ongoing value optimisation. 

More About you   

As our Head of Procurement Optimisation you bring significant senior procurement experience, with strong leadership, commercial acumen, and the ability to drive value through effective negotiation and supplier relationships. You understand procurement controls, compliance, and end-to-end processes, and can embed consistent, efficient ways of working across a large organisation. You're confident influencing senior stakeholders and building strong relationships. Ideally, you've led teams, used supplier data and technology to drive decision making, and worked with procurement technology platforms. CIPS qualified (or with equivalent experience), you're ready to lead with impact. 

Benefits    

We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for.     

We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:     

• Competitive salary, with a salary review yearly    

• Car Allowance 

• Pension with matched contributions up to 7%   

• Excellent holiday package – 36 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell leave   

• Private Medical - single cover    

• Annual Bonus 

• Training and development   

• Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more.  

What's next?

If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then apply following our simple 5 minute application process, upload a CV and a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the role. If you have any questions please email the recruitment team recruitment@placesforpeople.co.uk 

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided you meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application. 

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview experience, please let us know. We're happy to work with you to ensure you have the opportunity to perform at your best.

If you are a Places for People customer and you're looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team on skillsemployment@placesforpeople.co.uk. 

Please note that we may bring the closing date forward, if we receive a large number of quality applications. If you are interested in this role we would advise applying immediately to avoid disappointment.

If you are using a mobile device such as an iPad then ensure your CV is stored in the cloud, we currently support Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox.

If you are a recruitment agency please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls.

Safeguarding

At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect. 

We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment. 

By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities