Head of Category (Procurement) - Operations & Community Services
Location: Agile working – some home working but also potential travel required across 7 forces, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time – 37 hours per week
Salary: Circa 60k+, dependent on experience
We are proud to be working with The Seven Force (7F) Strategic Collaboration Programme, which coordinates the collaborative activities of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk Constabularies.
They are currently seeking a Head of Category (Procurement) - Operations & Community Services to join their team. This is a work-from-home role, and you can be based anywhere within the Seven Forces remit. However you will be expected to attend an office in Essex and/or the South East once per month.
What You’ll Do – Key Responsibilities
🔹 Category & Procurement Strategy
* Lead and manage procurement activities, ensuring projects are allocated based on risk, value, and complexity.
* Develop and implement strategic category plans that drive cost savings, innovation, and operational efficiency.
* Oversee the full procurement lifecycle, from market research and tendering to contract execution and supplier performance monitoring.
* Ensure compliance with UK/EU procurement regulations and force policies.
🔹 Supplier & Stakeholder Engagement
* Manage supplier relationships to maximize contract performance and ensure business continuity.
* Work closely with Chief Officers and OPCC teams to align procurement strategies with policing priorities.
* Represent the seven forces in national discussions with bodies such as the Home Office, Crown Commercial Service, and BlueLight Commercial.
* Lead strategic contract management, ensuring that contractual benefits are delivered.
🔹 Leadership & Team Management
* Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing procurement team, ensuring workloads are effectively managed.
* Provide expert commercial and legal advice to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
* Support contract managers through contract setup, management, and close-out phases.
* Ensure accurate and timely reporting to senior leadership boards.
What You Bring
✔ MCIPS Level 5 or 6 qualification (or equivalent experience).
✔ Extensive experience in procurement and contract management, ideally within a complex public sector environment.
✔ Strong leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
✔ Expertise in UK/EU procurement law and strategic sourcing.
✔ A track record of driving value for money, sustainability, and innovation.
This is a fantastic opportunity to lead procurement strategy across multiple forces, making a real impact on frontline policing.
In return the forces can offer...
* Local Government Pension Scheme.
* Access to the Blue Light Card scheme.
* Fantastic personal development routes offered including potential funding for CIPS qualifications.
* Free access to force gyms.
* Cycle to work scheme.
If you feel you have the experience to be able to perform this key role, please apply now!