Procurement Manager

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Procurement Manager

As the Procurement Manager, you’ll deliver specialist procurement advice, support and solutions across the Financial Ombudsman Service, ensuring best value and compliance with all relevant policies and regulations.

Working hours: 35 hours per week is full time.

Where possible, we are open to considering part time/flexible working patterns. Please let us know in your application your desired working pattern.

Salary: Circa from £65,000

Contract: Permanent

Reporting to: Head of Procurement

London docklands

Our permanent hybrid policy sees us all working at least four days across a fortnight in the office.

The main role of our procurement team is to make sure that we’re providing an efficient and effective procurement service. Our role in managing and maintaining the supply of goods and services to the Ombudsman is vital to our smooth operation. As Procurement Manager, you’ll provide specialist procurement advice, support, and solutions to stakeholders throughout the Ombudsman.

In addition to overseeing a variety of potentially large and complex procurement projects, you’ll take a business partnering approach—working closely with senior stakeholders, executive members, and heads of department to ensure best practice in procurement that aligns with the organisation’s needs. Your solid grasp of contract and supplier relationship management, including a focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) priorities, will be key. You’ll also ensure that all procurement activities adhere to current legislation and are managed to mitigate any associated risks.

Key responsibilities

• Organising procurement competitions that follow current regulations.
• Managing procurement projects from start to finish, including handing over contracts.
• Working with senior leaders to create and advise on commercial and procurement strategies.
• Handling risks in procurement to protect the Ombudsman from legal or reputational issues.
• Finding and delivering savings through better commercial practices.
• Negotiating with suppliers for great service and value.
• Developing and sharing procurement policies and procedures across the organisation.
• Improving supplier performance by designing effective processes.

Minimum Criteria

• Having sound experience and knowledge of public sector procurement.
• Experience in running large open procurement competitions and call off contracts using existing public sector frameworks and understanding the UK Public Contracts Regulations.
• Using your strong numeracy (and MS Excel) skills to analyse data.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a diverse range of stakeholders, building strong relationships and exercising influence to align interests, resolve conflicts, and drive successful outcomes across complex organisational settings.

Desirable Criteria

We would also like you to have the following skills:

• Being inquisitive and able to think logically – you’ll understand and identify with our key stakeholder needs and queries and have the confidence to provide accurate advice.
• Using your initiative to identify areas where systems and processes can be improved.
• Strong planning and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Hold a CIPS Level 4 qualification or be open to study toward the qualification
• Maintain composure and resilience when working under pressure
• Demonstrate excellent planning skills and adaptability within a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Why Financial Ombudsman Service?

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it wasn’t for their amazing efforts, ideas and commitment we wouldn’t be able to make a difference that we do today. So, we offer an attractive, competitive salary and flexible benefits to suit them.

Here’s a list of some of the many benefits and perks you can get for working with us:

• 25 days holiday entitlement, with the option to buy extra or sell days
• Generous pension
• Employer provided benefits such as Private medical insurance, virtual GP, Critical illness cover, Life assurance cover, to name a few
• Choice of voluntary benefits including Technology scheme, Cycle to work scheme, Will-writing service amongst others
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Extensive opportunities for personal and career development
• Fully equipped on-site gym open 24 / 7 (London office only)
• Extensive Well-being resources including on-site therapists (London office only)
• Beautiful and bright London office looking over the Thames and near to mainline stations
• Our employee led networks do fantastic work in educating and raising awareness across a range of experiences and support us in being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. You can get involved, too!

How do I apply?

• Please apply by uploading your current CV and supporting statement (if you wish to include one).

Applications need to be submitted by Sunday 31st August 23:59

Candidates shortlisted candidates will be invited to a telephone call with a member of the Talent Acquisition team

Due to high application numbers this advert may end earlier than the date specified, so please don't delay and apply now!

A full job profile is available on request and will be provided to candidates shortlisted to the first stage of the assessment process.

We welcome applications from internal employees, to apply you must have passed probation, be meeting or exceeding expectations and have no live warnings or development plans in place.

We’re proud to be an inclusive employer

We view diversity as fundamental to our success and welcome applications from underrepresented groups across all communities.

We’re committed to being a great place to work– attracting and developing people from the widest possible range of backgrounds. We want everyone to perform at their best and feel able to be themselves. We understand that if we’re diverse and inclusive, we’ll better understand different perspectives, which is fundamental to our job resolving financial complaints.   

We welcome applications from Black and other ethnic minority candidates, and female candidates, for all positions and particularly so for senior leader positions as they are under-represented within the Financial Ombudsman Service at this level.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. This means that we will put disabled candidates entering under the scheme through to the next stage of the recruitment process should they meet the minimum criteria for a role. A minimum criterion needs to be measurable from reviewing a candidate’s CV/supporting statement. Exceptions may apply if due to the volume of applications we are not able to interview all eligible candidates who qualify under the scheme. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about any reasonable adjustments you need, please email hrsupport@financial-ombudsman.org.uk and let us know your preferred method of contact.

Find out more

Check out below channels to find out more about everyday life at the Financial Ombudsman Service – and don’t forget to follow us while you’re there!

• LinkedIn: Financial Ombudsman Service

• Our careers page: https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/who-we-are/join-us

Good luck with your application!