Head of Procurement

Do you have experience leading a procurement function, managing budgets and driving efficiency and organisational change? Then apply to be our Head of Procurement today!

Corporate staff

North Somerset

Post number: 5800

Hours: 37 per week

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £52,413 - £56,706

Closing date: Midday 15 April 2026

Location: Police & Fire Headquarters, Portishead

Interviews: 27 April 2026

Summary of role

The Head of Procurement leads the Procurement & Supplies function, providing strategic advice, ensuring compliance, managing key budgets and overseeing contracts with external providers. As part of the Service Leadership Team.

This post holder will also drive efficiency, secure investment, and support wider organisational objectives and culture change.

Some of the things you’ll be doing

• As a senior leader, and part of the Service Leadership Team, provide visible, inclusive, and values-based leadership.
• As a senior subject matter expert, ensure the provision of accessible expert advice to senior stakeholders and the Fire Authority on Procurement matters, developments, projects, programmes, and initiatives.
• Ensure that sources of supply are reviewed regularly, having regard to current legislation, specification standards, ethical and environmentally sustainable sourcing.
• Develop, review and oversee contract management and monitoring arrangements to ensure contract compliance.
• Lead the creation, development and implementation of AF&RS’s Procurement Strategy.
• Proactively assess and monitor risks, impact assessments and issues relating to procurement delivery across AF&RS.
• Ensure that accessible guidance and training is provided to officers across the Service.
• Responsible for managing a number of existing budgets which will need to be pro-actively forecast, monitored, and reported on.
• Develop, manage, and support the procurement and supplies team including professional development, succession planning and embedding the Core Code of Ethics.
• Support all elements of contract/supply chain management and the effective delivery of goods and services throughout the life of the contracts.

Carry out any appropriate additional responsibilities or other activities to support the delivery of AF&RS Service Plan and the function of the Corporate Services Directorate, as required by the Director of Corporate Services.

• What we will need from you

Essential

• Professional Diploma in Procurement & Supply (MCIPS qualified) or equivalent procurement degree.
• Commercial awareness and knowledge of factors affecting the supply market.
• Advanced specialist knowledge of procurement practice within public sector.
• Expert and up to date knowledge in a range of procurement disciplines and strategic purchasing management.
• Expert communications, advocacy and negotiating skills.
• Demonstrable experience of leading a procurement function within similar sized (or larger) organisation and implementing organisational wide responses to challenges and opportunities at both operational and strategic level.
• Experience of delivering measurable outcomes and impact in the service delivery of procurement services.
• Experience of developing, leading, and implementing procurement policy and strategies.
• Experienced in business case preparation, contract drafting, evaluation and analysis and project management.
• Experience and in-depth knowledge of contract law and tendering.
• Experience of dealing with vendors and third parties including procuring, negotiating, and robustly managing business-critical service contractors.
• The ability to work collaboratively and strategically with senior leaders to address complex situations systematically and analyse complex or conflicting data and present conclusions in a way which drives informed decision making based on evidence and risk.
• Adaptable, inclusive, and values-based leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent and highly effective communication skills across the full breadth of written, verbal, presentation, and digital media.
• Ability to manage and prioritise high workloads, with pressing and conflicting deadlines.
• Committed to undertake relevant training and continuous professional development opportunities.

Desirable

• Evidence of post- qualification development (course, seminars)
• Comprehensive understanding of sustainability/environmental requirements of the procurement function.
• An appropriate qualification in project management.
• Experience of managing high value contracts.
• Budget-creation and budget-management experience including identifying and evaluating funding opportunities and delivering efficiencies.
• Experience of building and developing effective and trusted teams where people are committed and engaged within a culture that encourages flexibility, openness and a commitment to diversity.
• Experience of working for an emergency service or local authority.
• Experience of collaborative working with partner organisations at a senior level.
• Proven skills in drafting, editing, and clearing formal written papers, reports and business cases which are well-researched and well-constructed, robust.
• Proven skills in drafting, editing, and clearing formal written papers, reports and business cases which are well-researched and well-constructed, robust.
• Methodical with a keen attention to detail, in addition to strategic thinking.

What you can expect in return

• 27 days annual holiday (plus public holidays) rising to 31 days after 5 years, and 32 days after 10 years of service
• Local Government Pension – Defined Benefit Scheme
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Welfare and Wellbeing services
• Staff Networks
• Access to Westfield Health Supplementary Healthcare package.
• Access to Blue Light card with offers online and high street discounts.
• Use of the multi-gym, sports hall, restaurant, free parking and beautiful open surroundings at our Headquarters in Portishead.

How to apply

If you experience any issues with the application or require a paper version please contact [email protected] . Late applications and any applications with no supporting statement will not be accepted. Please quote job reference number 5800 on any communications. Thank you.

With effect from July 2023 legislation was amended to enable all Fire & Rescue Services to undertake standard DBS checks for all employees. All job roles require a standard DBS check, with certain defined roles requiring an enhanced check. These will be renewed throughout employment.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service is committed to securing equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all members of our community who are currently under-represented at Avon Fire & Rescue Service, particularly women, Disabled people and members of ethnic minority communities.

Additional reading

It is important for you to familiarise yourself with our work at Avon FRS and the framework we follow. Please see some resources below for you to read and explore:

Safeguarding Statement (63kB pdf)

Core Code Of Ethics – NFCC

Our mission, vision and values – Avon Fire and Rescue Service