Procurement and Contracts Manager

Reading Borough Council is seeking a Procurement and Contracts Manager to support the Joint Legal Team (JLT) and Directorate of Resources (DOR), with a primary focus on professional services procurement. This role will be instrumental in designing and implementing compliant procurement solutions (including internal frameworks or dynamic markets) as well as more traditional procurement routes such as call-offs from external arrangements for legal advice or staff support solutions, designing commercial strategies to get best value for procuring apprenticeship programmes, as well as explore efficiencies and savings as part of Procure to Pay practice improvements.

The postholder will act as a strategic business partner, supporting legal and corporate teams in sourcing and managing contracts across consultancy, goods, and services. The role ensures procurement processes are efficient, legally compliant, and aligned with Council priorities, with contract values ranging from £5k to multi-million pound arrangements.

You will want to have knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023, and ideally Public Contracts Regulations 2015 – top candidates will have completed the Procurement Act eLearning course. The role works with a range of contract types including service contracts, framework and DPS call-offs, and consultancy agreements. You'll work closely with colleagues and suppliers to manage contract delivery is effective, and drive value for money. Holding a Level 4 or higher CIPS qualification is preferable, although apprenticeship and training options will be available.

We support hybrid working, allowing flexibility while ensuring employees can excel in their roles, with an expectation of 1-2 days per week in the office.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, seeking talent from the widest pool of candidates. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively support the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the Role

This role is key to ensuring procurement processes follow our internal governance requirements, plan proactively for procurement cycles and support implementation of Council policies such as Social Value and working towards Net Zero. The postholder will oversee their services’ contract portfolio, lead procurement activities, and help define contract management for their area ensuring time in appropriate invested in their commercial partnerships.

By embedding best practice procurement arrangements and ensuring compliance with governance frameworks, this role helps secure value for money while supporting essential corporate initiatives across the Reading borough.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage end-to-end procurement processes, including complex tenders and competitive quotation exercises across a range of spend categories, ensuring timely and transparent delivery of a wide-ranging portfolio projects.
• Ensure adherence to public procurement regulations, including the Procurement Act 2023 and associated legal frameworks.
• Embed category management approaches to individual contract sourcing approaches, optimising procurement outcomes and maximising supplier engagement.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to ensure successful delivery of procurement activities, meeting deadlines and achieving Council priorities.
• Incorporate social value, ethical procurement and sustainability principles into procurement strategies, supporting local economic growth and community development.
• Oversee contract management, ensuring delivery of outcomes, performance and cost monitoring, and change/risk management.

About You

We’re looking for a procurement specialist with expertise in market engagement, procurement strategy, and strong contract management.

• Experience in leading complex procurement programmes, ideally in the public sector.
• Strong understanding of a range of contracts and commercial agreements.
• Ability to ensure adherence to governance structures and corporate compliance.
• Knowledge of category management, supplier negotiations, and commercial risk mitigation.
• Ability to provide professional challenge and secure outcomes.
• Familiarity with budget management and financial planning within procurement operations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience in stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration.

Working at Reading Borough Council
You’ll be part of Team Reading, contributing to making Reading a successful and vibrant community. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values guide how we work:

Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading

Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively

Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential 

Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information or an informal discussion, contact Emily Chomicz – Head of Procurement – emily.chomicz@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 16th November 2025
Interview Process: Competency-based interview.
Interview Date: to be confirmed