Location: Council House/hybrid working with 2 days in the office
Hours: 37 hours per week
Working Hours: 9am – 5pm
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 01/09/2026
The Opportunity
Derby City Council have an exceptional opportunity for a Procurement & Contract Compliance Manager to join the procurement team. This role will be leading the recently established procurement & contract compliance team and is well suited to highly motivated positive individual who is seeking a real opportunity to make a difference and drive improvements into commercial practices across the whole organisation.
As Procurement & Contract Compliance Manager you will be at the heart of major purchasing and contract decisions, helping to protect public funds while supporting social value, sustainability and Net Zero ambitions across Derby. In this Procurement & Contract Compliance Manager role, you will shape how the Council plans and delivers the contracts that keep the city running.
In this Procurement & Contract Compliance Manager position you will work closely with senior leaders and a dedicated procurement team, influencing how services plan, buy and manage their contracts. You will have scope to develop and improve council‑wide processes and systems, build your professional profile in a high‑impact role and support the development of others, all within a supportive environment that values learning, collaboration and continuous improvement.
What you’ll be doing
Reporting to the Head of Procurement you will be leading the team who are responsible for ensuring procurement and contract management compliance throughout the organisation.
You will:
- manage the procurement & contract compliance team
- drive continuous improvement in commercial practices across the procurement function and wider organisation
- lead and manage procurement and contract compliance across all areas of the organisation
- establish systems to manage and monitor procurement processes with the ability to interpret and implement new legislation or regulation changes
- implement a framework for best practice contract management across the organisation
- Provide commercial support to a range of users across the Council
About you
Essential skills and experience
- Substantial experience of leading a procurement and/or contract compliance function in a large or complex organisation, including advising senior leaders and other key decision makers.
- Strong track record of delivering end to end public sector procurements for high value and/or complex goods, works and services.
- Proven ability to develop, implement and maintain procurement and contract management policies, procedures, tools and standard documentation.
- Experience of developing and managing a forward plan or pipeline of procurement and contract activity, using data to prioritise work and manage risk.
- Experience of embedding social value and environmental sustainability (including Net Zero considerations) into procurement and contract management.
- Evidence of delivering improvements in procurement and contract management processes (for example, through better use of e tendering systems, reducing off contract spend or streamlining approvals).
- Practical experience of applying UK public procurement legislation, local rules and financial regulations in day to day work.
- Experience of managing supplier performance and relationships, including addressing under performance and agreeing improvement plans.
- Experience of handling procurement challenges, complaints or disputes, supported by clear, accurate and defensible records of decisions.
- Experience of line managing and developing staff, including planning work, managing performance and supporting professional development.
Essential qualifications
- Professional procurement qualification (MCIPS), or active membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply with equivalent substantial procurement and contract management experience.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development in procurement, commercial or contract management.
Essential behaviours and attributes
- Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and reach sound, evidence based conclusions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex procurement and contract issues in clear, straightforward language.
- Ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels, external partners and suppliers, and to work collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
- High level of interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy, with the ability to manage sensitive or high risk issues calmly and professionally.
- Resilience and the ability to manage competing demands and tight deadlines while maintaining high professional standards.
- Commitment to promoting social value, environmental sustainability and Net Zero through procurement and contract management.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise and balance strategic and operational workload.
- Commitment to service improvement and continuous improvement.
- High standards of integrity and professionalism, with a strong focus on good governance and the responsible use of public funds.
- Ability to work on own initiative within agreed frameworks, exercising sound judgement and knowing when to escalate issues.
Who We Are
At Derby City Council, we're proud to deliver over 250 essential services that support our residents, communities and businesses. Guided by our vision to create an Inclusive, Green, Growing and Vibrant City, we put people at the heart of everything we do.
Our values shape how we work every day. We believe in Great People, One Team, we're Bold in embracing change, Strong in delivering for our communities, and We Care about making a positive difference.
Join us and you'll be part of an ambitious, collaborative organisation where you can develop your career while helping to shape Derby's future.
Why join Derby City Council?
At Derby City Council, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference while building a rewarding career in an organisation that values, supports and invests in its people.
Alongside the opportunity to help shape the future of Derby, you'll benefit from a comprehensive range of employee benefits, including:
Financial Benefits
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) – a secure, defined benefit pension with life cover
- Team Derby Rewards – discounts across a wide range of retail, leisure and lifestyle brands
- Tusker Car Benefit Scheme – a salary sacrifice scheme for leasing a brand-new, fully maintained and insured vehicle
Work-Life Balance
- Generous annual leave, starting at 27 days and rising to 32 days after five years' service (plus bank holidays, depending on your contract)
- The option to purchase additional annual leave
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements for many roles
- Flexible retirement options, where eligible
- Support for colleagues with caring responsibilities
Learning and Development
- Learning and development opportunities, with regular career conversations to support your growth
- Leadership and management development programmes, mentoring and professional qualifications
- Modern workspaces designed to support collaboration, productivity and wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing
- Employee Assistance Programme, wellbeing support and a year-round wellbeing calendar
- Free annual flu vaccinations
- Cycle2Work Scheme and free cycle training
Community and Inclusion
- Up to 15 hours of volunteering leave each year
- Recognition through initiatives including the Here for Derby Awards and Long Service Awards
- The opportunity to join one of our Employee Networks, including LGBTQ+, Disabled Employees and Carers, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Employees, and Neurodiversity
At Derby City Council, we believe our people are our greatest strength. Whatever stage you're at in your career, you'll be joining an inclusive organisation where you'll be supported to develop, feel valued and make a meaningful difference to the communities we serve.
Some benefits are dependent on your role, contract or length of service.
How to apply
If you would like to apply for this vacancy via an application form, please submit an application via the Derby City Council website.
The closing date for this vacancy is specified at the top of the advert. Applications received after midnight on the closing date will not be accepted.
Interview dates: Week commencing 14th September
Interview location: Council House, Derby
If you would prefer to apply using your CV, please complete the attached Declaration Form and send it to [email protected].
Applications submitted by CV must include a completed Declaration Form to be accepted; this can be found at the bottom of the advert.
We also encourage you to complete the attached Equalities Form and return it to [email protected]. This is optional and will not affect your application.
Important Information
Links to the full Job Description and Person Specification are available below.
Before submitting your application, please read our guidance on completing the application form and ensure your supporting statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification.
All employees will normally be appointed to the minimum of the grade for the role.
Where a DBS requirement is indicated at the top of this advert, the successful candidate will be subject to the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of our safer recruitment process.
Where a Market Rate Supplement is indicated at the top of this advert, it is paid in addition to the basic salary and is subject to regular review. The supplement may be reduced or withdrawn and will reduce in line with incremental progression and pay awards.
The Council has a legal obligation to consider suitable redeployment opportunities for employees at risk of redundancy. Consequently, this vacancy may be withdrawn before the advertised closing date if it is filled through the Council's redeployment process.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Derby City Council, we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we serve.
As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role can choose to apply through our Guaranteed Interview Scheme.
We are also proud to hold the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award, recognising our commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families. Members of the Armed Forces community, veterans and their close family members who meet the essential criteria are also eligible for our Guaranteed Interview Scheme.
If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, including during your application, interview or onboarding, we'll work with you to provide the support you need.
If you have any questions about this vacancy or need assistance with your application, please contact the Recruitment Team on 01332 640844 (Relay UK: 18001 01332 640844) or email [email protected] .
