Senior Procurement Manager

As a valued employee of the British Council you already help us deliver our mission to support peace and prosperity by building connections understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education arts culture language and creativity.

You are part of our organisation in over 200 countries and territories and where we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

British CouncilPay Band 8

Contract Type: Indefinite Contract

Salary: 19000 RON

Location: Bucharest Romania

Closing Date:26th May 2025 at 05:00 Bucharest time

You must have the legal right to work in Bucharest at the time of application.
There is no relocation or sponsorship support.

Role Purpose:

The Senior Procurement Manager will support the Global Procurement strategy and is responsible for supporting cluster initiatives. This role will lead and promote crosscountry procurement activities and ensure larger scale collaboration opportunities are considered or undertaken where appropriate.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities:

Strategy and Planning

• Supports Procurement Directors and other stakeholders in finding solutions to procurement matters raised applying advanced procurement sourcing knowledge to solve a range of complex business issues.
• Plans procurement activity according to spend profile and benefit realisation with the involvement of the Category management team.

Consultancy analysis & problemsolving

• Identifies and makes recommendations to Deputy CPO for improvements to ways of working that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the corporate procurement as well as the operational effectiveness of their internal customers.
• Makes technical/professional recommendations which have a measurable impact on local business performance (e.g. in terms of efficiency quality reliability mitigation of risk productivity profitability or customer satisfaction)

Functional expertise

• Provides expert professional advice support and challenge to internal customers and other stakeholders to support the development of high quality effective and continuously improving business practices within procurement.
• Proactively pursues an annual cycle of formally recognised Continuing Professional

Commercial and/or financial management

• Using agreed corporate systems and processes plans and manages the core budget for their area of activity and for any special initiatives or change projects for which they are responsible.
• Develops sourcing plans short term and longterm plans for each area of significant value aligned to procurement objectives.
• Works closely with Category management team to ensure key benefits are being delivered aligning to the Category strategy and procurement best practices.

Relationship & stakeholder management

• Develops peer/personal networks within and outside the British Council to enhance own knowledge and expertise.
• Develops close relationships with designated SBUs to understand the complex nature of SBUs needs.

Role specific knowledge and experience:

Minimum/essential:

• Extensive experience of working in a similar role at a similar level managing procurement project and managing a team of procurement professionals.
• Experience of managing bundling of existing outsourced initiatives throughout a complex project for a single stakeholder.
• Indepth understanding of procurement processes and complex competitive bidding
• Significant understanding of legal and operational risks.
• Good understanding of complex contractual provisions and Supplier Relationship management
• Good business understanding

Desirable:

• Extensive experience with Strategic Sourcing and managing stakeholders
• Experience in managing procurement teams or Categories

Language Requirement:

The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree holder or has relevant experience in category Management / procurement.
• Qualified member of a professions body e.g. CIPS or other relevant body or equivalent experience

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19 UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Councils Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application please email