Head of Procurement
| Posting date: | 17 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 07 April 2026 |
| Location: | London, Not recorded, W12 7TF |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7582ba91-307b-4b77-a674-9323434d600e |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
The Head of Procurement will be responsible for ensuring that the for money in all areas of significant spend. They will implement effective procurement solutions that ensure pupils and staff are able to access equipment and services that meet their needs, are compliant with public sector procurement rules and provide value for money.
Key responsibilities include:
Strategic Leadership and Value for Money
• Own and deliver the Trust’s procurement strategy, defining which categories of spend are best managed centrally and which are delegated to schools.
• Identify and deliver significant savings by providing procurement solutions across all areas of material spend while improving service quality and outcomes for schools.
Governance, Compliance and Assurance
• Oversee all procurement tenders over £50,000, supporting and training schools to manage their own tenders where appropriate, whilst being responsible for central tenders over £50,000.
Supplier, contract and framework management
• Lead on key supplier management, including overseeing the control of new suppliers and the development of strategies to help manage preferred supplier networks throughout the group.
Stakeholder engagement and network leadership
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including senior leaders in schools and central teams, supplier sand customers, acting as a trusted adviser on procurement matters.
• Represent the Trust externally, including participation in MAT procurement networks to look at ways large MATs can work together to share best practice.
Team leadership, reporting and continuous improvement
• Manage and develop the Procurement team, setting clear priorities and performance expectations.
• Report on procurement savings and efficiencies, including annual reporting to the Risk & Audit Committee and termly updates to the Management Team.
You will have:
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• MCIPS or other relevant qualification in Procurement and Supply (Desirable)
• Significant experience in procurement leadership, ideally within a multi-site public sector, charity or education environment.
• Strong background in supplier relationship and contract management.
• Demonstrable experience managing tender processes, negotiating contracts, and delivering cost saving.
• Experience managing and developing a procurement team.
What the school offers its staff
•
• Our hybrid working model aims to offer the best of both worlds, striking the right balance between in-person collaboration and remote working. You will work a minimum of two days per week in our state-of-the-art office in West London allowing you to connect with colleagues, with the flexibility to work remotely, or in the office over the remaining days
• In addition to our current hybrid working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad
• Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 - 16.00, helping you prioritise your work-life balance and personal commitments
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to. Depending on your role you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests
Commitment to safeguarding
Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. All employees must undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.
The Head of Procurement will be responsible for ensuring that the for money in all areas of significant spend. They will implement effective procurement solutions that ensure pupils and staff are able to access equipment and services that meet their needs, are compliant with public sector procurement rules and provide value for money.
Key responsibilities include:
Strategic Leadership and Value for Money
• Own and deliver the Trust’s procurement strategy, defining which categories of spend are best managed centrally and which are delegated to schools.
• Identify and deliver significant savings by providing procurement solutions across all areas of material spend while improving service quality and outcomes for schools.
Governance, Compliance and Assurance
• Oversee all procurement tenders over £50,000, supporting and training schools to manage their own tenders where appropriate, whilst being responsible for central tenders over £50,000.
Supplier, contract and framework management
• Lead on key supplier management, including overseeing the control of new suppliers and the development of strategies to help manage preferred supplier networks throughout the group.
Stakeholder engagement and network leadership
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including senior leaders in schools and central teams, supplier sand customers, acting as a trusted adviser on procurement matters.
• Represent the Trust externally, including participation in MAT procurement networks to look at ways large MATs can work together to share best practice.
Team leadership, reporting and continuous improvement
• Manage and develop the Procurement team, setting clear priorities and performance expectations.
• Report on procurement savings and efficiencies, including annual reporting to the Risk & Audit Committee and termly updates to the Management Team.
You will have:
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• MCIPS or other relevant qualification in Procurement and Supply (Desirable)
• Significant experience in procurement leadership, ideally within a multi-site public sector, charity or education environment.
• Strong background in supplier relationship and contract management.
• Demonstrable experience managing tender processes, negotiating contracts, and delivering cost saving.
• Experience managing and developing a procurement team.
What the school offers its staff
•
• Our hybrid working model aims to offer the best of both worlds, striking the right balance between in-person collaboration and remote working. You will work a minimum of two days per week in our state-of-the-art office in West London allowing you to connect with colleagues, with the flexibility to work remotely, or in the office over the remaining days
• In addition to our current hybrid working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad
• Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 - 16.00, helping you prioritise your work-life balance and personal commitments
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to. Depending on your role you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests
Commitment to safeguarding
Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. All employees must undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.