Interim Head of Procurement

Interim Head of Procurement

Location: Hove (Hybrid – 3 days on site, 2 days from home)
Contract: Temporary (Initial contract until November 2026)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Rate: £400–£500 per day Ltd (or £303.97–£379.97 PAYE) – Negotiable
DBS: Standard DBS required

An Exciting Interim Leadership Opportunity

We are recruiting for an experienced Interim Head of Procurement to provide strategic leadership across procurement, contract management and commercial assurance within a large and complex public sector organisation.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior procurement professional to lead a high-performing procurement function, ensuring compliance with public procurement legislation while delivering value for money, commercial innovation and improved outcomes across the organisation.

Working closely with senior leadership, elected Members and key stakeholders, you will drive procurement strategy, strengthen governance and support the delivery of corporate priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for procurement, contract management and commercial assurance across the organisation.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies, policies and governance frameworks.
• Lead high-value, complex and politically sensitive procurement activity.
• Drive commercial improvement, contract performance and value for money.
• Identify and deliver procurement savings opportunities across multiple service areas.
• Provide expert procurement advice to senior leaders, Members and stakeholders.
• Strengthen procurement compliance, performance monitoring and reporting.
• Lead, develop and inspire the Procurement team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Champion innovation, continuous improvement and best practice across procurement.

About You

We're looking for an accomplished procurement leader with:

• Significant senior procurement leadership experience within local government or the wider public sector.
• Extensive knowledge of UK public procurement legislation, governance and commercial best practice.
• MCIPS qualification (or equivalent professional procurement expertise).
• A proven track record of delivering procurement transformation, commercial improvements and measurable savings.
• Experience advising executive leadership teams, directors and elected Members on complex procurement and commercial matters.
• Strong leadership skills with experience developing high-performing teams and leading organisational change.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive day rate with flexibility for the right candidate.
• Hybrid working – typically three days on site and two days remote.
• Opportunity to lead procurement strategy within a large, forward-thinking public sector organisation.
• Work on high-profile procurement and commercial initiatives that deliver real organisational impact.

If you're an experienced interim procurement leader with the strategic vision, commercial expertise and public sector experience to make an immediate impact, we'd love to hear from you.