Procurement Category Manager – Waste Services (Interim)
Location: Hybrid (1-2 days per week in-office, can consider 1 day
Organisation: Leicester City Council
Pay Rate: Up to £500 per day (Umbrella/Inside IR35)
Duration: Initial 3-months
About the Opportunity
A new opportunity has arisen for an experienced public sector procurement professional to lead on a significant programme of waste-related procurements for a major Local Authority.
This role will take responsibility for large, complex tenders, including:
*A major waste collections tender
*Multiple waste disposal and environmental services procurements
You will work closely with internal stakeholders, legal colleagues, and service leads to ensure procurement activity is compliant with the Procurement Act 2023, aligned to Council policies, and delivered to a high professional standard.
This position requires someone who can operate with autonomy, manage multiple concurrent projects, and deliver high-quality procurement documentation with accuracy and attention to detail.
Key Responsibilities
*Lead, plan, and manage end-to-end procurement activity for complex waste and environmental service tenders.
*Ensure all procurement work is compliant with the Procurement Act 2023, local governance, and the Council’s policies and procedures.
*Develop tender documentation, specifications, evaluation models, and commercial structures.
*Use the Council’s e-tendering system to run procurements and manage supplier interactions.
*Provide professional procurement advice to service leads, project managers, and senior stakeholders.
*Work collaboratively across departments to ensure procurement activity supports operational and strategic objectives.
*Manage competing deadlines and multiple projects, maintaining quality and accuracy across all workstreams.
*Support the embedding of strong contract management and commercial governance.
Ideal Experience & Skills
*Public sector procurement experience, ideally within a local authority.
*Demonstrable understanding of the Procurement Act 2023 and its practical application.
*Experience independently managing large and complex tenders from start to finish.
*Ability to quickly adapt to and work in line with Council policies, governance, and ways of working.
*Strong drafting ability for procurement documentation with excellent attention to detail.
*Experience using e-tendering systems
*Experience in waste or environmental services procurement
*Completion of TPP training (or willingness to complete within 2 weeks of starting).
Why This Role?
This is an excellent opportunity to lead on a portfolio of high-impact environmental service procurements that directly support the community. You’ll join a forward-thinking authority that values flexibility, professional expertise, and collaborative working.