Principal Procurement Consultant

Are you a procurement professional with a passion for leading innovative solutions and delivering exceptional customer service? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where your strategic thinking and commercial acumen can make a real difference?

As YPO continues to grow, we are committed to diversifying and expanding how we add value for our customers. This is an exciting opportunity to help create a team from the ground up, breaking into new markets, joining as a Principal Procurement Consultant on a full-time, permanent basis.

**Role**:Principal Procurement Consultant

**Salary**:£67,435 per year (SLT1a)

**Contract**:Permanent, full-time position, hybrid and flexible working

**Location**: YPO Headquarters, 41 Industrial Park, Wakefield WF2 0XE

**Benefits**:29 days’ holiday, plus bank holidays, plus 3 discretionary closedown days, Local Government Pension Scheme and more

**“If you’re looking to work in a stimulating, friendly and rewarding environment, then YPO could be the place for you”**

Reporting to the Head of Public Sector Customer Development, you will lead the delivery of innovative procurement and training solutions, tailored to our clients' intricate needs. You’ll be joining a team that’s venturing into new territory, so you’ll need to be comfortable learning as you go. You'll play a key role in traded projects such as resource backfilling, procurement delivery, and strategic reviews, bringing strong experience in end-to-end procurement and full tenders with mínimal supervision.

Your responsibilities will include building strategic relationships with customers, identifying new business opportunities, and ensuring our services are both commercially viable and aligned with YPO's goals. You will provide high-level procurement consultancy and work directly with external organisations to deliver value-driven solutions, managing a small team to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to achieve exceptional results.

Your understanding of public sector procurement and public contract regulations within the political environment will be essential. You’ll need to adapt quickly to variable customer environments, bringing commercial acumen and a customer-centric mindset to drive business development and enhance customer experience.

**Essential Skills**:

- A developed knowledge of public sector procurement, regulations and best practice.
- Demonstratable experience in building and maintaining key customer relationships.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement expertise.
- A proactive, customer-focused approach committed to high-quality service delivery.
- Strong leadership and team management abilities.
- The ability to innovate and adapt to meet changing customer needs.

**“We champion public value, helping education and public sector organisations get the most from their resources.”**

YPO has 50 years' experience in giving back to the public sector. Five decades ago, 13 local authorities came together to combine their buying demands and achieve efficiency, and that's when our organisation as it's known today began.

We supply products and services to a wide range of customers including schools, local authorities, charities, emergency services, the public sector, and other businesses such as nurseries and care homes.

We're 100% publicly owned, by our 13 member authorities, which means the profits we make are returned to our public sector customers, delivering even better value for money.

**Some of the benefits of working at YPO**:

- Access to a Local Government Pension Scheme (WYPF)
- Generous holiday package
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Access to Occupational Health Service
- Paid membership of your professional body
- Commitment to staff development
- Family friendly policies
- Cycle2Work Scheme

This is a unique opportunity to take on a pivotal and developmental role where you can shape the future of our Consultancy Services and Training Academy.

You’ll work in a supportive and collaborative environment that values your expertise and encourages professional growth. We offer a competitive salary, hybrid and flexible working arrangements, local authority pension and benefits, plus the chance to make a real difference.

**How to Apply**:
Please ensure that your CV is current and includes all relevant works experience and qualifications. In your supporting statement, please explain your motivation for applying, how you feel you meet the criteria outlined in the Job Description and Person Specification, as well as how you will excel in this role.

**Key Dates**:
Interviews are planned to take place on **Wednesday 9th October, **in-person at our Wakefield Office.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £67,435.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Wakefield, WF2 0XE