Associate Director of Procurement

Associate Director of Procurement Location: Kings Hill/Hybrid Salary/package: £75,000 per annum + performance related bonus (non-contractual) Contract type: Permanent Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of public sector procurement within a growing commercial brand. This is a senior leadership opportunity to drive strategy, growth and performance across a high-impact portfolio. Who we are Procurement Services, part of Commercial Services Group (CSG), delivers compliant, commercially focused procurement solutions to the public sector. Supporting thousands of customers across the UK, we enable organisations to buy smarter, achieve value and remain fully compliant in a complex regulatory landscape. Why this role matters Sitting on the Procurement Services senior leadership team, this role is critical to driving commercial growth, strengthening supplier value and ensuring compliant, high-quality procurement delivery. You will lead both strategic direction and operational performance, while playing a key role in the development and growth of a new brand area within the business over the coming years. What you’ll be doing • Lead procurement and category strategy to deliver commercial growth and meet income targets • Own the end-to-end procurement lifecycle across frameworks, managed services and customer-led activity • Drive a high-performing procurement pipeline aligned to market demand and customer need • Provide strategic oversight of procurement delivery, ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and best practice • Lead supplier strategy and partnership management across a large, tiered supplier base to maximise value and innovation • Take full ownership of financial performance, including P&L awareness, forecasting and KPI delivery • Lead and develop a team of circa 20+ procurement and supplier specialists, building a high-performance culture • Contribute at SLT level to strategic planning, governance, processes and continuous improvement • Support the launch and long-term growth of a developing brand area within Procurement Services • Build strong relationships with public sector customers and senior stakeholders to enhance service delivery What we’re looking for • A commercially minded procurement leader with strong strategic thinking capability • Significant experience in public sector procurement and regulatory compliance (PA23 & PCR2015) • Proven track record delivering complex procurements, frameworks and commercial outcomes • Strong supplier partnership expertise, with experience maximising value across large supplier portfolios • Demonstrable financial acumen, including P&L responsibility and delivering against commercial targets • Experience leading and developing large, multi-disciplinary teams in a senior leadership capacity • Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior level • MCIPS or equivalent professional qualification What you’ll get in return • Salary of £75,000 per annum + performance-related bonus • 25 days annual leave, plus your birthday off • Life assurance cover (4x salary) • Pension scheme with 6% employer contribution • Additional benefits including retail and gym discounts, health cash plan and cycle to work scheme • Volunteer days and access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme • Tailored learning and development support with real opportunities to progress Why CSG? Commercial Services Group (CSG) is the UK’s largest local authority-owned trading company (LATCO), generating over £800 million in revenue and supporting 16,000 education and public sector customers worldwide. With more than 1,800 employees across the UK and France, we are working towards becoming the global leader in education and public sector solutions. Our 38 trading businesses deliver a wide range of services including education management, IT, HR, legal, energy, procurement and supplies. CSG is wholly owned by local authorities, and a significant proportion of our profits is reinvested into frontline public services. Over £77 million has already been returned, reflecting our commitment to combining commercial performance with meaningful social impact. Inclusion & Accessibility We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from suitably qualified people of all backgrounds. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our application and interview process; please let us know if you require any. Department Procurement & Partnerships Locations West Malling Remote status Hybrid Yearly salary £75,000 Employment type Full-time Portfolio Procurement & Partnerships Brand Procurement Services DBS Vetting Required? Not required About Commercial Services Group Commercial Services Group is one of the leading providers of procurement and support services to education and public sector customers globally. Serving over 15,000 customers, CSG is committed to providing an excellent customer and user experience underpinned by social value and a committed and empowered workforce. Founded in 1928 Co-workers c1800 Turnover Over £800M