We have a great opportunity for a Procurement Manager (Soft FM) to join the team and to lead the sourcing and management of soft facilities services and products across our student accommodation portfolio and any other relevant categories assigned by the Head of Procurement. With the ambition to deliver optimum value, cost savings and risk management whilst ensuring quality and excellent customer service is achieved for the company.

Reporting directly to the Head of Procurement you will be the category expert, providing commercial leadership in contracting goods and services within the designated categories. Maintaining and driving a consistent and professional approach to all sourcing activity through structured and cross-functional working practises will be key along with building strong supplier relationships as well as leading stakeholders through the full end-to-end sourcing process, including:

• Develop bespoke sourcing strategies for each category
• Business Intelligence & Spend Analytics
• Commercially astute with a focus on quality and cost efficiency. Create and manage full tender execution processes, including bid evaluations, shortlisting and commercial negotiations
• Contract drafting and supporting functional budget holders in mobilisation and implementation of new contracts
• Develop a full SRM programme
• Continuously identify agile ways to enhance the procurement practice to increase efficiency.

Supporting with relevant reporting and updates to our senior leaders, the Procurement Manager will also provide support for functional budget holders in their application of procurement tools, templates, due diligence and tender activity. You will also lead the Cost Transformation Programme initiatives within the category areas of expertise.

Overall, developing strong cross-functional relationships, securing sponsorship from its stakeholders and driving our ambition to provide an exceptional procurement, contracts and vendor management service to our business.

This hybrid role is based at our award-winning offices in London near Cannon Street, London Bridge and Monument stations.

We are looking for you to have proven experience in soft FM procurement, ideally within residential or hospitality sectors, along with:

• Good demonstrable level of technical and commercial understanding of the categories.
• Technical expertise in soft FM services, including but not limited to cleaning, waste management, security, front of house.
• Extensive knowledge of the UK supply chain in the categories of expertise required.
• Track record of delivering against savings targets within complex multi-stakeholder or matrix-style environments.
• Ability to formulate and draft long-form service supply contracts, including extensive Service Level Agreements.
• In-depth knowledge of appropriate procurement techniques and tender drafting practises
• A can do' attitude' and ability to look at and consider the bigger picture.

This challenging role will also require strong project management and communications skills to effectively lead a range of stakeholders through procurement exercises and tenders, whilst prioritising a varied workload and meeting deadlines.

In return, we are offering a competitive salary with a great benefits package which includes a discretionary performance bonus, 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, private healthcare, pension, enhanced family leave policy, life assurance, training, two paid volunteering or personal development days and cycle to work scheme. Check out our website for more information about UPP, our culture and benefits.

UPP welcome all applications and recognise the value of having a diverse and inclusive culture, which reflects the communities we work with and has a positive impact on our people, our student residents, and our university partners.

We understand all disabilities, impairments and conditions are unique, so please advise us of any adjustments which would support you through our recruitment process and also help you to thrive at work.

Our core values of Innovation, Sustainability, Community, Partnership and Respect, are fundamental to our culture and summarise what is important to our business and our people.

We are a team with energy, pace and passion; if that sounds like you, apply today.