I am looking for an experienced Higher Education procurement professional to join a central Procurement team and work closely with academic departments, schools, and research groups across the University.
Hybrid role 2 days a week on site.
This is a front facing, service oriented procurement role. While you will be part of the central procurement function and may occasionally support wider College activity, your primary focus will be supporting academic departments with their day to day procurement needs.
You will spend most of your time working directly with academics and professional services colleagues who are not procurement specialists, helping them understand how to buy compliantly, efficiently, and with value for money in mind.
What you will actually be doing
In this role you will:
- Act as the main procurement contact for academic departments and research teams
- Advise academics and researchers on compliant procurement routes for teaching and research activity
- Support a wide range of low to medium value purchases that collectively represent significant spend
- Help departments source suppliers for diverse requirements, from specialist teaching resources to travel, equipment, and everyday operational needs
- Explain frameworks, thresholds, and procurement rules clearly and patiently
- Research suppliers, compare options, and secure best value outcomes
- Support transactional activity and ensure procedures are followed correctly
- Build trusted relationships and solve problems collaboratively
- Translate procurement and compliance requirements into practical guidance that academics can work with
This is a varied role for someone who enjoys working closely with people, managing multiple requests, and balancing service delivery with compliance.
What this role is not
This role is not:
• A narrow category specialist role
• A purely strategic or policy focused procurement post
• A back office or arm’s length function
• Limited to corporate services or HR procurement
You will be visible, accessible, and involved in a wide range of departmental activity.
Who this role is for
We are specifically looking for someone who can demonstrate previous Higher Education experience or very closely comparable department facing procurement experience.
You will be a strong fit if you:
- Have worked in a university procurement environment supporting academic departments or research activity
- Are comfortable advising non procurement professionals
- Enjoy variety and problem solving
- Are confident managing multiple small and medium procurements
- Take a practical and service minded approach
- Can build credibility and trust with stakeholders
- Are happy working in a small, collaborative procurement team
Experience in NHS or other public sector environments is valuable, but experience working directly with academic or departmental stakeholders would be a definite advantage
Interested please send your CV
Gray & Associates is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.