Associate Director of Procurement

De Montfort University (DMU) is an ambitious, globally minded institution with a relentless focus on delivering quality teaching and learning, and a campus-wide focus on providing a sector-leading student experience.

A culturally rich university with a palpable commitment to the public good, it strives to maintain a stimulating and inclusive environment where staff and students can thrive.

Faculty / Directorate

The Finance and Procurement Directorate is a central support service within the university. Our Directorate vision is; “To provide an excellent and impactful customer service that exceeds expectations and proactively enables the sustainable delivery of a great student experience”.

In addition to Procurement, the Directorate provides a wide range of services including Financial Planning and Reporting, Finance Business Partnering, Financial Accounting, Taxation, Income and Purchase to Pay.

We are an inclusive, collaborative and friendly directorate with a focus on teamwork, staff development and continuous improvement of the services we provide to students and the university.

Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate Director of Procurement to provide strategic leadership and direction for procurement services at De Montfort University (DMU) Reporting to the Executive Director of Finance and Procurement, this senior role will work collaboratively to develop and drive a procurement strategy, for procurement activity across both UK and overseas operations, that aligns with DMU's values, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and innovation.

This is a great time to join DMU, as we increase our commercial focus and roll out the changes arising from the Procurement Act 2023. As such, we are looking for someone who can drive a culture of innovation, digital transformation and continuous improvement.

You will need to use your finely tuned commercial skills to develop a high functioning procurement service that is seen as responsive and offering the best in class commercial and procurement operations across the university. Your responsibilities will include managing major strategic projects, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, and delivering high-quality contracting outcomes.

Additionally, you will be the procurement ambassador for DMU, representing the university in local public sector bodies and the higher education sector to maximise financial and social value through collaboration.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Associate Director of Procurement will be a seasoned procurement professional with extensive experience in strategic procurement management within a complex organisational environment. You should possess strong commercial acumen, with the ability to develop and implement procurement strategies that deliver value for money, minimise risk, and drive efficiencies. Demonstrable experience in leading and managing high-performing teams, coupled with excellent stakeholder engagement skills, is essential.

You will have a deep understanding of procurement legislation and best practices, and the ability to manage large, strategic projects effectively. A commitment to sustainability and achieving DMU's net zero targets is crucial, as is the ability to champion and promote the university’s procurement function both internally and externally.

Experience of leading and developing teams is essential and a proven track record of delivering change and improvement is expected.

If you are a proactive, innovative leader with a passion for driving change and delivering exceptional procurement outcomes, we encourage you to apply.

Interview date: 27/09/2024

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