Buying Team Manager

Team: Procurement – Buying Team (Finance Directorate)
Job Family: Enabling (M) – CBG11
Salary: £41,042 - £44,296 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per week.
Contract Type: Hybrid – Permanent
Closing Date: 4th December 2025
Interview Date: 9th December 2025

About the Role

The Buying Team provides a centralised purchasing service to the Council, providing Purchase Order management and supplier sourcing, ensuring the Council achieves value for money for goods, works and services. In addition the team ensures best practice is followed and that there is adherence to the Council's Constitution and Procurement Procedures.

We are seeking a Buying Team Manager to lead and develop a small team of buyers, overseeing the requisition-to-purchase order process, supporting low-value procurement activity, and ensuring the efficient and compliant operation of the Buying Team. You will also support the Framework and Performance Manager with contracts pipeline, data and performance reporting, and compliance monitoring.

This is a hands-on management role requiring operational expertise, strong leadership skills, and the ability to influence and communicate effectively across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, support, develop, and motivate a team of Buyers, including setting objectives, monitoring performance, and supporting professional development.
• Oversee the requisition-to-purchase order process across the Council, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and timely delivery.
• Lead low-value procurement activities and provide guidance to service areas on procurement procedures.
• Own and manage the Supplier Incentive Scheme.
• Support the Framework and Performance Manager in framework management, reporting, pipeline oversight, and compliance monitoring.
• Communicate procurement policies and updates across the Council, including supporting training and awareness sessions.
• Monitor team performance, manage workloads effectively, and foster a culture of collaboration, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain accurate records of procurement activity, ensuring audit readiness and compliance with Contract Procedure Rules and Procurement Regulations.

About You

• Relevant professional qualification such as CIPS, or willingness to work towards this.
• Strong operational procurement experience within a large, complex organisation.
• Understanding of Contract Procedure Rules, procurement codes, and compliance frameworks.
• Experience of managing and developing staff, with evidence of setting objectives, monitoring performance, and supporting professional development.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to liaise with colleagues across service areas and external suppliers.
• Proficiency in procurement systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong organisational, planning, and prioritisation skills to manage a high-volume workload effectively.
• Experience in the public sector, with knowledge of frameworks, contract management, and reporting highly desirable.