The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior procurement professional to join and lead our Procurement Team within the Finance Department. The role is key in setting the strategic direction of the function, developing plans that optimise the University's purchasing activity whilst ensuring regulatory compliance and directly contributing to the institution's overall financial health and operational efficiency.
Hands-on relationship management is key, and with the role leading a sizable Procurement Team, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining excellent service delivery. The role holder will also lead on the delivery of purchasing related education/training across the institution's central service provision, the University's Research Centre's and the Advanced Manufacturing Group (AMG).
Working collectively with two Deputy's, the Carbon Data Manager and a broader team of Category Managers, you will set the direction in driving value for money and cost effectiveness across the University's non payroll expenditure, assessing risk, ensuring compliance and crucially working to embed positive social value impact throughout our supply chain.
It is an exciting time to join our team, with a renewed strategic focus and the personal opportunity to freely demonstrate your skills and experience by adding value to a wide and complex organisation.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Develop, implement and raise awareness of the University's Procurement Strategy and delivery plan, leveraging the opportunities afforded by the University's non-contracting authority status.
- Contribute to the delivery of the University's Sustainability Strategy and embed sustainable business practices within procurement and throughout the supply chain.
- Lead the full Procurement lifecycle and procure to pay operation.
- Harness the University's purchasing power and effective procurement practices to deliver value for money and financial savings, providing comprehensive management information and reports.
- Review and maintain procurement category groups and maintain the highest standards of procurement practice across the University.
- Manage supplier performance, with an additional focus to improve the provision of our contract management.
- Develop an effective Procurement risk management framework with compliance monitoring.
- Enhance the profile of the University's Procurement team through proactive and effective working relationships and represent the University externally (purchasing consortia etc).
- Develop the Procurement team, overseeing the professional training and development, enabling it to operate with a high degree of technical competence.
- Instil a focus on continuous improvement across all aspects of the procurement process.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Essential criteria
- Member of the Chartered Institute for Purchase and Supply, MCIPS Level 6 or relevant transferable degree (assessed at: application)
- Significant experience of Public Contract Regulations, plus understanding of the Public Sector Procurement Reforms and the National Procurement Policy Statement (assessed at: application)
- Demonstrable contribution to the strategic direction of a business/institution via strong leadership of a Procurement function (assessed at: application)
- Experience of communicating complex information and influencing stakeholders at various levels of seniority (assessed at: interview)
- Have substantial experience of leading, managing, motivating and developing a Procurement team (assessed at: Interview)
- Demonstrable experience of implementing strategic cost saving initiatives across a large business/institution (assessed at: Interview)
- Experience of developing and delivering a robust and coherent Procurement strategy (assessed at: Presentation)
- Ability to harness a culture that facilitates change and embraces opportunity within a complex and challenging environment (assessed at Presentation)
Desirable criteria
- Experience of Procurement function within Higher Education setting (assessed at: application/interview)
- Experience of leading a complete Procure to pay function (assessed at: interview)
Further Information
Grade: 9 £60,321 - £78,375 per annum
Hours: 35 per week
Line manager: Head of Finance Operations
Direct reports: Deputy Head of Procurement (Central Services & Operations)
Deputy Head of Procurement (Innovation, Research and Development)
Carbon Data Manager
Closing date: 21 January 2025
For informal enquiries about this job contact
Ben Petty, Head of Finance Operations on b.m.petty@sheffield.ac.uk.
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place week commencing 27th January. This will consist of an interview including a presentation. The presentation should be 15-20 minutes long and demonstrate how to strategically mature a procurement operation as a non-contracting authority, within the context of sectoral funding pressures. Following this, there will be an informal stakeholder panel consisting of members of the current team. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 20th January. Contact Debbie Finnie (d.finnie@sheffield.ac.uk) if you require any reasonable adjustments.
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What we offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Criminal record
A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).
Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.