Senior Procurement Manager

Venn Group is pleased to be supporting a well-regarded London university in recruiting an Interim Senior Procurement Manager.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for an established procurement professional to play a key role within a dynamic procurement team. The postholder will lead estates-focused sourcing activity, advance sustainability and net-zero objectives, and act as a strategic partner to the Director of Procurement. This appointment will directly support the university's wider commitments to carbon reduction and responsible procurement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activity across estates, facilities, construction and associated categories
• Develop and manage competitive sourcing processes, drafting specifications, evaluation approaches and commercial models
• Provide senior-level guidance on contractual, commercial and risk-related matters
• Take responsibility for specific areas of the university's Net Zero agenda, including reductions in Scope 3 emissions across defined spend categories
• Embed sustainability, social value, equality and ethical considerations in tendering activity
• Operate as a key support to the Director of Procurement, offering insight, constructive challenge and forward planning
• Review supplier terms and contractual positions, supporting robust contract management
• Use data and market intelligence to identify improvement opportunities and deliver value for money
• Contribute to training, engagement and communication across the university community

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Substantial procurement experience at senior level, with strong estates category understanding
• Comfortable working independently, delivering at pace and handling a varied workload
• Confident communicator who can influence, guide and engage stakeholders across a complex organisation
• Highly proactive, bringing solutions, judgement and initiative to the leadership team
• Clear commitment to sustainability and experience embedding environmental outcomes within procurement processes
• Experience within higher education is welcomed but not essential
• Professional membership (e.g., MCIPS) advantageous but not required

Agency reference number: J93978

Location: Central London

Duration: 5-6 month interim assignment

Pay rate: £500-£600 per day (Umbrella, inside iR35)

Hours: Full-time

Working pattern: Hybrid (2-3 days per week on campus)

This role is being actively shortlisted, so early applications are strongly encouraged.

Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates.