Job overview
Are you an ambitious, proactive and innovative procurement professional looking for your next challenge?
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST) as a Senior Procurement Contract Manager, based at Trust Headquarters in Exeter.
We are seeking a motivated and highly organised individual with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering high-quality procurement and contract management services, supporting the Trust to achieve best value, drive compliance and deliver improved outcomes for patients and staff.
You will be responsible for managing complex procurement projects and contracts, developing strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and identifying opportunities for innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement. As a senior member of the Procurement Team, you will also support and inspire colleagues, helping to develop capability and promote best practice across the organisation.
Main duties of the job
As a Senior Procurement Contract Manager, you will lead and deliver a portfolio of complex and high-value procurement projects, managing the full procurement lifecycle from initial planning and market engagement through to contract award and supplier management.
Working closely with senior stakeholders across the Trust, you will provide expert procurement and commercial advice, identify opportunities for innovation and collaboration, and ensure the delivery of value for money, contractual compliance and sustainable savings.
You will play a key role in shaping procurement strategy within your category areas, developing strong supplier relationships, leading tendering activity, and supporting the Trust's wider objectives of delivering high-quality patient care and financial sustainability.
As a senior member of the team, you will also contribute to the development of colleagues, champion best practice, and help drive continuous improvement across the Procurement function.
Applicants should hold full MCIPS membership or be committed to achieving MCIPS within 12 months of appointment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Senior Procurement Contract Manager will lead a portfolio of complex and high-value procurement projects, managing the full procurement life-cycle from sourcing strategy and tendering through to contract award and supplier relationship management.
The post holder will provide expert procurement and commercial advice to senior managers, budget holders and stakeholders, ensuring compliance with public procurement legislation, Trust governance and best practice.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading competitive tender exercises and complex procurement projects across a broad range of categories.
- Delivering value for money, efficiency improvements and sustainable savings in support of the Trust's financial objectives.
- Developing and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders to maximise service quality and contract performance.
- Providing expert advice on procurement, contract management and commercial matters across the organisation.
- Supporting category strategies, workplans and continuous improvement initiatives that align with the Trust's strategic goals.
- Contributing to the development of colleagues and promoting procurement excellence across the organisation.
This role offers the opportunity to work on a diverse range of procurement challenges while making a direct contribution to frontline patient care across one of the largest ambulance services in England.
The Procurement Team currently operates a hybrid working arrangement, with team members working from home and attending Trust Headquarters in Exeter once every fortnight on a Wednesday.
Right to work / Certificate of sponsorship
This role meets the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. Applications are welcome from candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK.
For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Person specification
Skills, knowledge, ability
Essential
- Management of resources and financial risk and using commercial acumen to gain best value for money and cost reductions.
- Track record of ability to deliver against targets and in delivering recurrent non-pay savings to the customer base
- Advanced procurement knowledge comprising:- · Advanced negotiation skills, · Knowledge of strategic sourcing methodologies, Knowledge of supply chain theory, · Persuading, influencing and interpersonal skills, · Contract law and dispute resolution, · Statistical and data analysis skills, · Knowledge of market areas related to specific work categories, · Finance and leasing knowledge, · Business development and marketing plans
- Public Procurement Law
- Understanding and knowledge of Trust Standing Financial Instructions, UK Government procurement directives and UK legislation, e.g. TUPE, Competition Act, Race Relations, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, etc.
- Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply Code of Conduct
- Procurement Directives - implements and monitors policies and procedures relating to UK law
- Understands and develops sustainable development and social value strategies in partnership with the wider health community
- The post holder has to foster the need to combine stakeholder expertise to more accurately identify current practice and process efficiencies
- Project management - the ability to participate in complex projects, involving personnel from many disciplines/departments in client organisations and suppliers
- Advanced IT skills including knowledge of specialist software for contract management, electronic catalogue and e-procurement systems to ensure efficient use of procurement enablement technologies (e.g. tender evaluation software)
- People management - the ability to manage, influence and lead people who may or may not be direct reports
- Knowledge of Logistics processes
- Interpreting P2P systems.
Desirable
- Change Management skills
Education and qualifications
Essential
- Degree qualified or equivalent.
- Graduate of Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) with full MCIPS membership or expected to achieve full MCIPS qualification within 12 months of appointment.
Desirable
- Masters qualification
Aptitude and personal characteristics
Essential
- Strong Leadership Skills
- Self-reliant and tenacious
- Team player to collaborate with business units and functional partners like IMT, Finance, HR, Governance, etc.
- Highly analytical
- Dependable and able to manage own and team priorities
- An elevated level of autonomy and self- management, supplier and stakeholder relationship managements
- Given the external facing nature of procurement activity, there will be a requirement for flexibility
- ‘Can do’ attitude, high degree of self-motivation and ability to work effectively in collaborative situations
- Plenty of drive and initiative
- Willingness to implement new concepts
- Politically and commercially astute
- Emotionally intelligent
- Innovative and forward thinking
- Encourages staff feedback
- Strategic mindset and problem-solving
- Customer-focused Analytical mindset, but also creativity to seek, encourage and find non-traditional approaches that have historically “boxed-in” procurement
Desirable
- Customer-focused
Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to job)
Essential
- Specialist commercial / NHS experience and knowledge in purchasing and supply
- Procurement procedures
- Risk assessment/analysis training
- Significant experience & understanding and application of Strategic Sourcing methodologies
- Experience of contract management – the ability to manage multiple contracts to ensure best value for money with high service levels
- Experience of project managing complex / high value procurement activities from initial planning and tender to contract award
- Experience in resolving complex queries and influencing and managing people
- Experience of team working, delegation and empowerment
- Experience of supplier relationship management
- Experience of building collaborative partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders
- Experience of Purchase to Pay systems
- Experience of electronic tender, contract management and workplan systems
Desirable
- Proven track record of managing complex projects
- Experience in Lean Six Sigma, initiatives Quality Circles, 5S (Sort, Set In order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain) Kaizen, and Quality Circles.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Procurement Contract Manager (INTERNAL ONLY) with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust in Exeter, South West, England. It is listed as a Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 05 Aug 2026.
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