Procurement & Pre Award Supplier Manager

Job description
The Procurement & Pre-Award Lead Supplier Manager plays a critical role in shaping and delivering CDIO strategic procurement outcomes across all 3 pillars within the supplier manager practice. This role leads pre-award activities, ensuring procurement exercises are legally compliant, commercially robust, and aligned with organisational priorities. The postholder will also be responsible for working with commercial and other stakeholders (inc Practices) to collaborate on early supplier engagement, market shaping, and supporting the development of innovative sourcing strategies that deliver value for money and social value.

This role may require occasional travel to supplier sites or stakeholder meetings.

Would you like to know more?

We will be holding virtual presentation sessions, which will give you an opportunity to hear from the current Head and Lead of Pre Award Supplier Management and ask questions.

This will be held on the following date:

Monday 8th June from 11am- 12pm

To register your interest please use the following link: Procurement Supplier Manager - Information Session – Fill in form

There will be limited capacity, so places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Person specification
Strategic Procurement Leadership

Support the development and delivery of pre-award procurement strategies across key categories on behalf of the supplier manager practice.
Ensure all procurement activity complies with relevant legislation (e.g., Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act 2023) and internal governance.
Support commercial on early market engagement and supplier development initiatives.
Manage and continuously improve supplier management pre-award processes utilising the ITIL 4 framework: including market analysis, supplier engagement, and tender documentation.
Supplier Relationship Management

Build and maintain effective relationships with key internal / external and market stakeholders.
Contribute supplier engagement activities including briefings, feedback sessions, and innovation forums.
Support the development of supplier capability, performance frameworks and readiness for contract delivery (inc KPI’s, SLA's & metrics aligned to CDIO metrics, MI & Reporting requirements etc)
Commercial & Contractual

Provide advice on current contracts, commercial models and contract terms.
Be the voice for the supplier management practice when stakeholders are drafting contract documentation in collaboration with commercial teams.
Collaborate with commercial teams to ensure robust and fair procurement process is being followed.
Stakeholder Engagement

Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and translate them into effective procurement strategies.
Act as a trusted advisor to project teams, providing guidance on procurement planning and risk mitigation.
Governance & Reporting

Ensure accurate reporting and record‑keeping across all stages of the contract lifecycle, supporting future procurement strategies and maintaining audit readiness.
Produce reports and insights on procurement pipeline, supplier performance, and market trends.
Work with stakeholders within the supplier management practice to understand when procurement activity is required in sufficient timescales.
Deputise for Procurement & Pre Award Lead Supplier Manager at the appropriate governance board, ensuring that CDIO has centralised oversight of the end-to-end IT sourcing and contract procurement lifecycle.
Essential Criteria

Demonstrable experience in assisting in or leading on procurement and supplier management activities.
Understanding of public procurement regulations and frameworks.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
Commercial acumen and experience in supplier performance management.
Desirable Criteria

Strong understanding of public procurement regulations and frameworks.
Completion of or studying towards Contract Management Capability Programme (CMCP) or equivalent professional qualification.
Knowledge of CDIO Metrics and how they fit into contractual requirements.
ITIL 4 foundation certification or studying towards