Head of Procurement

ABOUT LONDON STADIUM

Built to host London 2012, the former Olympic Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is home to Premier League football club West Ham United and UK Athletics. With rock concerts through the intervening months, our versatile venue has also seen us host the Rugby World Cup, international and domestic Rugby Union, The Race of Champions, the RFL Four Nations and was home for the first Major League Baseball games to be played in Europe.

ABOUT THE ROLE

London Stadium are looking for a Head of Procurement to join the team. This is a great opportunity for someone who is looking to develop their career in a dynamic and fast-moving environment, with the opportunity to be involved in our diverse range of projects.

The Head of Procurement will be responsible for leading the procurement team involving sourcing and contract management, continuing to develop procurement strategies and leading procurement processes for the company.

This is a hugely diverse role with the opportunity to deliver, and support the team in delivering, a wide range of complex projects. London Stadium is a truly interesting place to work with the range of sporting, music and entertainment events over the year and in procurement no day is the same.

The successful candidate will be vital in driving and supporting the delivery of best practice in the procurement function within London Stadium.

The successful candidate for this role will have significant practical experience of managing varied procurement operations working in a corporate procurement environment subject to public procurement law. Using your strong negotiating and influencing skills you will be key in driving commercial management. In return we offer development opportunities and many company benefits.

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to further develop their career in a crucial role within the corporate services team of a dynamic business. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the success of the stadium through day-to-day operations, a variety of projects and exciting events such as football, concerts, Major League Baseball, athletics, rugby and community events.

This role will be varied and give you the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of activities. In return we offer development opportunities and many company benefits.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE

• To provide strategic direction and development to the Procurement Manager across a broad range of projects ensuring alignment with organisational requirements and lead on public procurement operations for complex projects, whilst ensuring the delivery of challenge free and value for money procurements.
• To oversee contract management; ensuring key contracts are delivered in line with the business needs and to support and develop the Contract Manager in managing, risks, issues and performance requirements.
• To lead, motivate, develop, support and challenge your own team to deliver Company and personal objectives, and add value to the business.
• To take responsibility for the continued evolution of London Stadium procurement processes and to ensure all procurement operations undertaken are in accordance with legislation, UK Government procurement initiatives, London Stadium corporate policy and GLA Group responsible and sustainable procurement policies.
• Oversee the London Stadium procurement pipeline, ensuring it is accurate and kept up to date. Using the pipeline to inform London Stadium’s budgetary decisions, identify cost reductions and support the roll out of its strategy. Take ownership of the Procurement Policy, making updates, where required, for approval from the Senior Executive Team.
• To support the team in developing and implementing procurement strategies, routes to market, market engagement processes and support continuous improvement activities to ensure processes are transparent, robust and provide for timely procurement of goods and services.
• Be a member of the senior executive team representing and taking recommendation reports in line with the scheme of delegation for procurement and contract management activities, and ensuring the function operates in line with the organisational values. Being an active part of the Senior Executive Team to be part of the decision-making process for company-wide decisions.
• To support the work of London Stadium in achieving best value for money from its suppliers by encouraging the review of industry best practice in procurement and on- going contract and supply-chain management.
• To identify opportunities for collaboration with the GLA family on LS185’s procurement activity and plans, ensuring a joint approach where appropriate.
• To positively promote procurement processes and procedures to internal and external stakeholders; and to build procurement compliance awareness within the organisation.
• To monitor market trends and developments affecting the supply-chain and which could be helpful in decision making, including pricing fluctuations and economic factors, and utilise findings to provide insights and recommendations to the senior team.
• To supervise and assist the procurement team and Project Managers with the drafting of procurement documentation to be used in the process leading to the selection of supplier/s whilst ensuring that the right contract management strategy and process is implemented.
• To carry out strategic reviews and analysis of procurement needs for selected categories of work in order to achieve the best possible value for money.
• To identify areas of innovation with technology, tools, and process improvements to enhance procurement delivery across the organisation.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of technical competency areas and take a proactive approach to self-development and performance improvement. Support and maintain a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence, contributing to corporate priority themes and the organisation’s overall delivery aims, acting as an ambassador for London Stadium.
• Adhere to the procurement process and ensure that all Purchase Orders / financial information is entered accurately in line with the deadlines communicated by the Finance Department.
• Adhere to company policy and procedures while taking responsibility for your own health and safety and for that of others who could be affected by your work.
• To undertake any other duties, not specified above, that are appropriate to the level and responsibilities of the post.
• Comply with company regulations, policies and procedures, and embrace London Stadium values.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply or relevant experience.

Knowledge & Experience

• Proficient procurement professional with experience in process development and implementation, Supplier relationship management and performance management.
• Line Management experience within a procurement function (desirable).
• Significant practical experience of managing varied procurement operations working in a corporate procurement environment subject to procurement law.
• Significant experience of managing corporate goods and services procurement and leading on contract reviews and negotiations within the bounds of the regulations.
• Knowledge of developing and implementing sustainable and responsible procurement objectives and processes.
• Experience of contract management including the performance management process from sourcing through to contract close out.

Skills

• Strong Commercial awareness with negotiating and influencing skills.
• Ability to act as a partner to the business, considering risk- based decisions and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Strong internal and external stakeholder relationship cultivation and management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• String analytical and lateral thinking skills and the ability to develop innovative ideas and solutions.

Behavioural Qualities

• Personally credible with professional demeanour that generates trust and confidence.
• A motivational leader that can encourage development and build team working.
• A good team player who can support, contribute and actively participate in projects and is willing to help the wider organisation.
• Good attention to detail and deliver work to a high degree of quality and accuracy.
• Self-Motivated with commitment and enthusiasm.
• Results driven with a determination to learn and succeed.
• Ability to challenge situations and provide potential solutions to achieve a mutual goal.
• Demonstrate behaviours aligned to London Stadium values.

To view the application guidance document, please click here –> London Stadium Recruitment Information

Location: Flexible working, subject to events, with three days a week based at the offices at London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Interviews: First round interviews will take place in person in the week commencing 1st September 2025.

We are looking for someone to start as soon as possible thereafter.