FMCG Buying Manager

Are you a strategic procurement professional looking to lead and shape procurement across a complex, multi‑site organisation? Inspire Education Group (IEG) is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Group Procurement Manager to deliver a high‑quality, compliant and forward‑thinking procurement service across the Group. This is a senior role with responsibility for maximising value for money, strengthening supplier relationships and supporting innovation through effective procurement practices. Reporting to the Group Director of Finance, you will lead the development and delivery of procurement strategies for significant areas of non‑pay spend, ensuring full compliance with procurement legislation while driving efficiencies, sustainability and continuous improvement. You will act as a trusted specialist advisor to internal stakeholders, providing expert guidance on procurement law, tendering options, contract management and risk mitigation. This role will suit someone with strong leadership, influencing and negotiation skills, who enjoys working collaboratively across departments and with external partners to deliver tangible financial and operational benefits. The Group Procurement Manager will work full time (37 hours per week) across our group all year round. Following a successful induction and training period, there will be the opportunity to work on a hybrid basis. Leading and delivering procurement strategies within a public sector or regulated environment Managing end‑to‑end procurement activity, including market analysis, tendering, evaluation and contract award Advising senior stakeholders on procurement law, compliance and best practice Delivering value for money through effective sourcing, negotiation and contract management Managing procurement categories and developing category strategies based on spend and risk analysis Undertaking supplier relationship management to manage risk, performance and continuous improvement Identifying and promoting framework agreements and reducing off‑contract spend Managing procurement governance, including waivers, extensions, approvals and contract registers Producing accurate data, reports and savings trackers to support financial planning and assurance Building collaborative relationships across finance, curriculum, professional services and external stakeholders Working in line with UK public procurement regulations, GDPR and organisational policies Generous Leave: 30 days of annual leave, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas close down. (Pro-rata for part time staff) Competitive Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), including life assurance and death-in-service benefits Health and Wellbeing: Benefit from a gym, free on-site parking, access to employee assistance programme and a friendly team atmosphere Professional Development: Ongoing training and development opportunities, including sponsorship for HE/professional qualifications Vivup employee benefits, including lifestyle savings, eligibility to apply for a Blue Light Card, providing access to a wide range of national discounts IEG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and any vulnerable groups within the college community and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to a thorough vetting process which includes an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. Candidates are reminded that if they are barred from working with Children it is a criminal offence to apply for this position.