Salary: Grade PO4, FTE £49,050 to £52,187 per annum, inclusive of London Weighting Allowance
Location: Copthall House, 9 The Pavement, Grove Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 1DA
Working Pattern: This role is a permanent, full-time position working 5 days all year round. This role will work in hybrid fashion, working from our offices in Sutton at least three days per week and possibly more, subject to business needs. It will also be necessary, on occasion, to visit our academies and colleges across London and the Southeast. The role is based on a 36hrs per week basis, 8.45am – 4.30pm M-Th & 8.45am – 4.15pm F.
Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust (OHC&AT) is a family of specialist education providers for pupils and students from nursery to further education. We operate across academies and college centres in London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. Supporting our academies and college, OHC&AT also operates learning support services, such as nursing and therapy, and a central business support team which includes HR, finance and IT.
Pupils and students within the OHC&AT family have a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. These include autistic spectrum disorder; speech, language and communication difficulties; social, emotional and mental health needs; profound and multiple learning disabilities; and physical disabilities including multi-sensory impairment and complex health conditions.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Procurement & Contract Manager to join our team and play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our procurement strategy. Working closely with the Head of Procurement, you will lead on key procurement initiatives across Estates and Facilities Management, including capital works projects and supplier management. This is a hands-on and varied role within a small, collaborative team, where your expertise in procurement and contract management will drive value, efficiency, and compliance.
You will work closely with senior managers, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure best practice procurement processes, cost savings, and high-quality outcomes. If you are forward-thinking, adaptable, and passionate about continuous improvement, this role offers an exciting opportunity to make a real impact.
Key Responsibilities:
-Support the Head of Procurement in delivering the procurement strategy, best practices, tools, and guidance aligned to business and operational needs.
-Manage formal tendering and purchasing for Estates and Facilities Management, including capital works projects.
-Expand and maintain the Preferred Supplier List.
-Lead on procurement initiatives, ensuring value for money, cost savings, and exceptional customer service.
-Oversee and manage contract performance, ensuring compliance with SLAs and KPIs.
-Collaborate effectively with senior managers and external contractors.
-Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying new ways of working and innovative procurement solutions.
-Undertake benchmarking, financial and spend analysis, and due diligence checks.
-Manage end-to-end procurement processes, including ITTs.
-Provide hands-on support across various projects within a small team environment.
Key Requirements:
-Membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (MCIPS) or working towards qualification.
-Strong experience in public sector procurement and contract management (education sector experience desirable but not essential).
-Solid understanding of the upcoming Procurement Act 2024.
-Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and experience with e-Tendering platforms (e.g., MyTender).
-Strong financial and analytical skills, with the ability to conduct benchmarking and spend analysis.
-Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage senior leaders and contractors.
-Forward-thinking, open, and positive approach with the ability to work independently.
-Flexible, hands-on attitude with the ability to support wider team projects when required.
OHC&AT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:
Rewards & Benefits:
-Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
-Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
-Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
-Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme and Free Virtual GP Appointments.
-Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
-Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)
Find out what makes OHC&AT a truly rewarding place to work – visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to learn more about opportunities across the Trust and the difference our staff make every day.
Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.
As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.
It is an exciting time to be part of OHC&AT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.
We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.
Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.
How to Apply:
To apply for this role, please select 'Quick Apply', our Recruitment Business Partner will then be in touch with more details on how to officially apply.
Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.
To ensure a fair opportunity for all applicants, candidates who have applied for this position in the past 6 months will not be considered.
Closing Date: Monday 22nd June 2026
First Round Interview Date: The week commencing 29th June 2026
To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.
Safeguarding Statement
Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
In line with the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education, the Trust will request and review references and carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates prior to interview as part of our safer recruitment process. Any concerns raised will be followed up with the applicant before a recruitment decision is made.
Pay: £49,050.00-£52,187.00 per year
Work Location: In person
