Oaklands College is seeking a proactive and experienced Procurement Manager.

The Procurement Manager will be responsible for leading and embedding effective, compliant and value‑for‑money procurement practices across the College. Operating within a £47m publicly funded organisation, the postholder will play a key role in reducing non‑pay expenditure, improving commercial outcomes, and ensuring the College can clearly demonstrate best value in the use of public funds.

The role will ensure that procurement activity is compliant with relevant legislation, including the Procurement Act (where applicable), and aligned with sector best practice. The postholder will establish and maintain a robust preferred supplier framework, improve contract management arrangements, and work collaboratively with budget holders to deliver improved value for money (VFM), quality and risk control.

The Procurement Manager will sit within the Estates team but will have College‑wide responsibility for procurement, working closely with Finance, IT and other departments. The role will also provide client‑side procurement support to the College’s £92m major capital development programme. This role can be considered as hybrid

Your Day to Day Impact

Procurement Strategy and Value for Money

• Develop, implement and continuously improve a College‑wide procurement strategy that supports financial sustainability, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

• Drive improved value for money through effective sourcing, supplier negotiation, demand management and aggregation of spend.

• Support the College in demonstrating best value for public funds through transparent, auditable procurement processes and clear documentation.

Compliance and Governance

• Ensure that all procurement activity is undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation, including the Procurement Act, public procurement regulations, and internal financial regulations.

• Provide advice and guidance to departments on procurement routes, thresholds, and compliant purchasing practices.

• Maintain appropriate records to support internal and external audit requirements and actively participate in audit activity as required.

Supplier and Contract Management

• Establish, manage and maintain a robust preferred supplier list, ensuring suppliers are vetted, performance‑managed and aligned to the College’s strategic and operational needs.

• Work with suppliers to secure additional value, benefits and efficiencies, including improved pricing, service levels, social value and contract terms.

• Develop and maintain an accurate, up‑to‑date contracts register covering all major College contracts, with clear visibility of contract values, terms, renewal dates and risk.

• Improve the College’s understanding and management of contractual obligations, risks and opportunities.

Financial and Departmental Collaboration

• Work closely with the Finance team to ensure procurement activity aligns with budgets, financial controls and reporting requirements.

• Partner with the Estates and IT departments—the College’s two largest areas of non‑pay spend—to improve cost control, reduce duplication and strengthen commercial oversight across both operational (OPEX) and capital (CAPEX) expenditure.

• Support budget holders across the organisation with procurement planning, tendering and supplier engagement.

Capital Programme Support

• Provide procurement expertise and client‑side support to the College’s £92m new building project, working closely with the project team, consultants and contractors.

• Ensure that procurement related to the capital programme delivers best value, manages risk and complies with relevant procurement and governance requirements.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to modernise and standardise procurement processes, documentation and reporting.

• Promote a consistent, professional approach to procurement across the College and build procurement capability among staff.

Is This You?

Essential Criteria:

· Proven experience in a procurement or commercial role within the public sector or a similarly regulated environment.

· Strong practical knowledge of public procurement legislation and frameworks, including the Procurement Act (or demonstrable ability to quickly develop this knowledge).

· Experience of delivering measurable value for money improvements and cost savings.

· Experience of supplier and contract management, including the establishment of preferred supplier arrangements.

· Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments.

· Experience of working closely with finance teams and supporting audit processes.

· Excellent attention to detail and record‑keeping skills.

Desirable Criteria:

· Experience within the Further Education, education or wider public sector.

· Experience supporting major capital or construction projects from the client side.

· Professional procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS) or working towards one.

Why Oaklands?

At Oaklands, your work matters. We invest in both students and staff to ensure everyone has the opportunity to succeed and grow.

• Generous holiday allowance - 35 days plus bank holidays.

• Local Pension Scheme with excellent employer contributions.

• Ongoing CPD and free access to Adult Community Learning courses.

• Free onsite permit parking.

• Onsite gym and wellness treatments at discounted rates.

• Cycle to Work Scheme and discounted travel through UNO Bus Scheme.

• Eye care vouchers and employee assistance programme.

• Mental health and wellbeing support, including peer supporters.

• Staff development days and annual awards celebrating your achievements.

Oaklands College is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and we actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and stakeholders to share this commitment.

We review applications on a rolling basis and may close this advert early if we receive high interest. Don’t miss your opportunity to join a college that’s shaping futures and transforming lives.

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