Senior Contract & Procurement Manager

Location: Derby / Derbyshire Area (with travel across multiple sites) Salary: Up to £54,000 per annum (negotiable) Contract: Permanent, Full-Time (37 hours per week, all year round) Start Date: September 2026

Tradewind Recruitment are working in partnership with a large and growing education organisation across the Derbyshire area to recruit an experienced and commercially minded Senior Contract & Procurement Manager.

This is a newly created leadership position offering the opportunity to drive procurement strategy, improve supplier performance, and ensure the effective use of resources across a diverse portfolio of educational settings. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering value for money while supporting the wider operational and strategic objectives of the organisation.

Reporting directly into a senior leadership team, you will lead the development and implementation of a robust procurement and contract management strategy across multiple sites.

Key responsibilities include:

\n
• Leading procurement and tendering exercises across the organisation
\n
• Reviewing, managing, and optimising supplier contracts
\n
• Developing and implementing a comprehensive contract management framework
\n
• Negotiating commercial agreements that deliver tangible value and measurable outcomes
\n
• Building effective relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders
\n
• Driving efficiencies and identifying opportunities for cost savings
\n
• Monitoring supplier performance and ensuring service standards are maintained
\n
• Supporting the mobilisation and management of large-scale service contracts
\n
• Providing expert procurement and commercial advice to leaders across the organisation
\n

We are interested in speaking with candidates from both education and commercial backgrounds who have experience in:

\n
• Procurement and purchasing
\n
• Commercial or supplier management
\n
• Contract management
\n
• Strategic sourcing and commissioning
\n
• Tendering and procurement compliance
\n
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
\n

You will be a confident communicator with strong negotiation skills and the ability to influence at all levels. You will have a proactive approach to problem-solving, excellent project management capabilities, and a track record of delivering commercial improvements and efficiencies.

Experience working within the education sector would be advantageous but is not essential.

A newly created strategic leadership role

The opportunity to shape procurement and commercial operations across a large organisation

Competitive salary with scope for negotiation

The chance to deliver meaningful improvements and long-term value

A supportive, collaborative, and ambitious leadership environment

Career development opportunities within a growing organisation

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused procurement professional looking to make a genuine impact within a values-led organisation. You'll have the autonomy to influence strategy, improve service delivery, and help ensure resources are used effectively to support positive outcomes for young people and communities.

To apply, or for a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Tradewind Recruitment today on

Tradewind Recruitment is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks and references.