Senior Procurement Manager

About the job

Do you want to be part of an award-winning team delivering cutting-edge digital services and technology procurement?

National Highways has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Procurement Manager to join our Digital Services Procurement Team and help shape how we deliver our Digital Roads programme and wider digital, data and technology strategy.

This is your chance to build a rewarding career within one of only 17 organisations globally to achieve the CIPS Platinum Award for Procurement Excellence. You'll develop specialist category expertise while delivering innovative procurement solutions, building strategic supplier partnerships and creating real value for the organisation.

You'll be part of a collaborative and highly engaged team that places real value on flexibility, wellbeing and professional development. We support hybrid working, encourage open and supportive ways of working, and create an environment where people can learn from one another, share ideas and grow. With access to category-specific support, training and development opportunities, you'll be able to grow your commercial expertise while contributing to some of National Highways' most important digital and technology programmes.

Based at one of our main procurement offices (Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Bedford or Guildford), you’ll spend 40% of your working week office-based, with the remainder worked remotely.

If you're looking for a role where you can build strong relationships, contribute ideas and make a real impact, while developing your career in a flexible and supportive environment, this could be the next step in your procurement career!

You will:

• Lead the development and delivery of category strategies across digital services and technology procurement, ensuring commercial solutions support National Highways' strategic digital ambitions and deliver measurable value.
• Take ownership of the full category management lifecycle, including market analysis, supplier engagement, sourcing activity, contract award and ongoing commercial performance management.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the business, translating complex digital and technology requirements into innovative procurement strategies and market approaches.
• Drive commercially robust procurement activities in compliance with relevant regulations, leading complex sourcing exercises, negotiations and contract variations that support critical digital programmes.
• Work collaboratively with procurement, legal and contract management specialists to deliver successful outcomes, manage risk effectively and maximise value from supplier partnerships.
• Stay ahead of emerging technology, market developments and legislative changes, using your insight to continuously improve category strategies and strengthen National Highways' position within the digital services marketplace.

About you

• Good understanding of the end-to-end procurement lifecycle, together with knowledge of the legislation and governance that underpin the procurement environment, including Procurement Act 2023 and PCR 2015.
• Experience of market analysis and supplier engagement, using insight to support business requirements and procurement outcomes.
• Experience developing procurement strategies and tender documentation, including ITTs and RFQs.
• Knowledge and use of various contracting models.
• Professional procurement qualification (such as CIPS) or demonstrate willingness to work towards.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across a range of business functions.

About us

Delivery is a huge collective exercise, with collaboration between Business Services Directorate (BSD) and every other part of the business. Getting it right means success for us all. Our remit in BSD is very broad - and there is a lot to do.

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England’s motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

Business Services plays a crucial role in supporting the efficient operation and growth of the strategic road network. We provide a wide range of essential services across the organisation, ensuring that all functions run smoothly and effectively. We work behind the scenes to support the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and services, ensuring that National Highways meets its commitments to safety, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

Our key areas of focus include procurement, finance, human resources, IT, and strategic planning. We ensure the company operates efficiently, delivers projects on time and within budget, and meets the needs of stakeholders. By offering expert advice, managing resources, and driving operational excellence, we support National Highways in achieving its mission of maintaining and improving the road network across the country.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.