Procurement Category Manager - Children

Interim Procurement Category Specialist – Children’s Services

£500–£550 per day | Outside IR35 | Remote | Rolling 3-month contract | Expected to last at least 12 months

We are working with a local authority seeking an experienced Procurement Category Specialist with deep Children’s Services expertise to support a significant programme of procurement and commercial activity.

This is not a generalist procurement assignment. They need someone who understands the complexities of the Children’s Services market and can work closely with commissioners to translate service requirements into robust, commercially credible procurement and category strategies.

The assignment

You will take a lead role in developing the Children’s Services procurement pipeline and category approach, working directly with commissioners and senior stakeholders.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing a clear and prioritised Children’s Services category plan and procurement pipeline
• Working closely with commissioners to understand service pressures, priorities and intended outcomes
• Translating commissioning requirements into practical sourcing and procurement strategies
• Leading complex and high-value procurements through to award and mobilisation
• Bringing strong knowledge of the Children’s Services provider market to challenge assumptions and identify commercial risks
• Acting as a credible critical friend to commissioners, providing constructive and diplomatic challenge
• Balancing value for money, compliance, market capacity, quality and outcomes for children and families
• Recognising crossover with Adults and Public Health where markets and commissioning priorities intersect

What we are looking for

We are particularly interested in speaking with people who can demonstrate:

• Significant procurement and category experience within Children’s Services, ideally within local government
• Strong experience working alongside commissioners
• Experience developing category plans, pipelines and sourcing strategies
• Detailed understanding of relevant Children’s Services provider markets
• Experience across areas such as children’s social care, SEND, specialist placements, early intervention, social worker supply and third-sector services
• A track record of delivering complex or high-value service procurements
• The confidence and credibility to influence senior stakeholders
• A pragmatic, commercially focused approach and the ability to operate autonomously

The offer

Day rate: £500–£550 per day, with flexibility for an exceptional specialist

IR35: Outside IR35

Contract: Rolling three-month contract

Expected duration: At least 12 months

Working arrangement: Remote, with no routine requirement to attend site, once a month site visits.

This is expected to be a long-term assignment of at least 12 months, contracted on a rolling three-month basis. It offers a genuine opportunity to take ownership of a strategically important Children’s Services category, influence significant commissioning decisions and support a wider programme of procurement transformation.

If you have directly relevant Children’s Services category experience, please get in touch with your latest CV, availability, required day rate and a brief summary of the most relevant Children’s Services procurement work you have delivered.