Strategic Sourcing Manager

STRATEGIC SOURCING MANAGER - PRESTIOUS ARM OF GOVERNMENT, 6 MONTHS INITIALLY. MILTON KEYNES / LONDON BASED. £600 PER DAY INSIDE IR35 / UMBRELLA. OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE MISSED! Job Purpose The Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for delivering sourcing strategies for complex, medium to high-value procurements. This role operates in close collaboration with Strategic Category Managers, Supplier Managers, and senior stakeholders to optimise value, manage risk, and ensure compliance within a regulated procurement environment. Key Responsibilities • Lead sourcing delivery for high-value and business-critical procurement projects (typically £300m–£500m annual spend influence). • Develop and implement end-to-end sourcing strategies aligned to integrated category plans. • Act as the lead negotiator, securing commercial benefits and cost savings, ensuring validation and alignment with finance objectives. • Collaborate with stakeholders at senior level (Head of/Director level) to shape sourcing pipelines and ensure strategic alignment. • Challenge business demand and drive aggregation opportunities to maximise value and efficiency. • Ensure sourcing activities meet all regulatory, legislative, and governance requirements (e.g. public procurement compliance). • Provide expert sourcing advice, introducing innovation and best practice to deliver competitive advantage. • Conduct market analysis and supplier benchmarking to optimise Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). • Build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships to support transition from sourcing into supplier management. • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of sourcing professionals, fostering capability growth and high performance. Key Skills & Experience Essential • Degree educated or equivalent experience. • MCIPS qualified or equivalent professional accreditation. • Significant sourcing/procurement experience of working in government roles, and ideally within complex environments (infrastructure or engineering) • Proven track record of delivering measurable cost savings and commercial benefits. • Strong people management and leadership experience. • Advanced negotiation and dispute resolution skills. • Experience working in cross-functional, stakeholder-heavy environments. • Strong influencing skills with the ability to navigate complex organisational structures. • Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving capability. • Commercially focused with a value-driven approach. Desirable • Knowledge of the UK rail industry and public procurement regulations. Key Competencies • Strategic thinking and delivery • Commercial acumen • Stakeholder management and influencing • Leadership and team development • Innovation and continuous improvement • Risk management and governance Is This You? If you are a Procurement Manager / Sourcing Manager with public sector experience we want to hear from you! Send your application and we will be in touch to discuss this urgent role within hours