Strategic Procurement Business Partner - People Services

Overview

Are you an experienced procurement professional looking for an opportunity to influence strategic decision-making and deliver meaningful outcomes across public services? This is an exciting opportunity to lead high-profile procurement and commercial activities that directly support the delivery of vital people services and make a positive impact on local communities.

As a Strategic Procurement Business Partner, you will play a key role in shaping procurement strategies, managing complex commercial relationships, and driving innovation, value for money, and sustainable outcomes across a diverse portfolio of services.

About us

Help shape better services, better decisions and better outcomes for Buckinghamshire residents

At Buckinghamshire Council, procurement is about far more than running tenders.

We are building a modern, commercially focused procurement function that helps the organisation make better decisions, improve outcomes for residents, maximise value for money and deliver long-term sustainability through every pound we spend. We are looking for an ambitious and experienced procurement professional to join us as a Strategic Procurement Business Partner and help lead that journey

About the role

As a Strategic Procurement Business Partner, you will play a key role in leading and delivering strategic procurement and commercial activity across the People Services portfolio. Working closely with commissioners, senior managers, partners and suppliers, you will provide expert procurement and commercial advice throughout the entire commissioning cycle, from business case development and market analysis through to sourcing, contract award and ongoing contract management.

This is a highly influential role where you will help shape service strategies, identify opportunities for innovation and efficiency, and ensure procurement activities deliver the best possible outcomes for residents and stakeholders. You will be responsible for managing complex, high-value and high-risk procurement projects while building strong supplier relationships that maximise long-term value and performance.

You will also contribute to market shaping activities, explore opportunities to embed social value and sustainability within procurement solutions, and help drive continuous improvement across procurement and commercial practices. The role offers significant exposure to senior stakeholders and provides the opportunity to influence strategic decision-making within a dynamic and evolving environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic procurement and commercial activity across the People Services portfolio.
• Deliver complex procurement projects from planning through to implementation and contract management.
• Provide expert advice and insight to commissioners and senior stakeholders on procurement and commercial matters.
• Develop and maintain effective supplier and stakeholder relationships to maximise service outcomes.
• Undertake market analysis, market testing and intelligence gathering to inform procurement strategies.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency, cost optimisation, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Support the development and delivery of service strategies and transformation programmes.
• Promote social value, sustainability and local economic benefits through procurement activity.
• Ensure compliance with procurement legislation, regulations and organisational governance requirements.
• Represent the organisation in meetings with suppliers, partners and external stakeholders.

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the Job Description.

 

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

We're looking for a confident and commercially astute procurement professional who combines strategic thinking with a collaborative and solution-focused approach. You will be comfortable working in a complex stakeholder environment, influencing decisions at all levels and balancing commercial opportunities with organisational priorities and regulatory requirements.

You will bring significant experience in procurement, commissioning, commercial management or contract management within a large and complex organisation, ideally within the public sector or a similarly regulated environment. You will have a strong track record of delivering high-value procurement projects, managing commercial relationships and achieving positive service and financial outcomes.

The successful candidate will be highly organised, analytical and resilient, with excellent communication and relationship-building skills. You will enjoy working collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and be passionate about driving improvement, innovation and value through procurement activities.

We're particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Extensive experience in procurement, commercial management, commissioning or contract management.
• Experience delivering complex, high-value procurement projects within a regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of procurement legislation and best practice procurement methodologies.
• Experience managing third-party suppliers and developing effective commercial partnerships.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Experience identifying efficiencies, managing risk and delivering value for money.
• Strong project and programme management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Experience using eSourcing and contract management systems.
• Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
• MCIPS Level 6 qualification (or equivalent experience) would be advantageous.

For full details of the skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications required, please refer to the Job Description.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to work on strategically important procurement initiatives that directly support the delivery of critical public services. You'll join a collaborative team environment where you'll have the opportunity to influence decision-making, lead meaningful change and contribute to delivering better outcomes for communities through innovative procurement and commercial solutions.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Other information

For more information about this role, please contact Kayley Lakin via email at: [email protected] for an informal discussion.

Closing date: 13/09/26

Interview Date: 17/09/26

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

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