Procurement and Strategic Sourcing Lead

JOB PURPOSEReporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Procurement and Strategic Sourcing Lead will lead procurement strategies across technology, operations and corporate functions.The successful candidate will own the full commercial lifecycle of supplier relationships - from market assessment and sourcing strategy through negotiation, contracting, governance, renewals, performance management, and commercial optimization.The role will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, Finance, Technology, Information Security, Legal, Operations, Compliance, and Transformation teams to ensure procurement becomes a strategic business partner rather than a transactional purchasing function.Today, procurement is governed by Finance and responsibility spans multiple functions. As our business continues to scale and innovate, there is an opportunity to bring on board a dedicated procurement function to oversee this critical component, with this role forming the initial foundations.RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIESStrategic Procurement•Develop and execute the organization’s procurement strategy aligned to business objectives.•Build strategic sourcing plans across all major spend categories.•Drive procurement governance, policy and best practice.•Lead complex procurement initiatives supporting organizational transformation.•Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, standardization and cost optimisation.•Build category strategies for technology, software, professional services, operational outsourcing and corporate services.Ensure procurement activities comply with both internal and external governance requirements, aligned with regulatory and international standards.•Financial Value creation, including cost optimization, ROI assessments, demand management, and commercial negotiations•Develop procurement reporting for Executive Leadership including realized savings, cost avoidance, supplier risk, and procurement pipeline.Technology & AI ProcurementLead commercial procurement across rapidly evolving technology environments including:•Artificial Intelligence platforms•Generative AI solutions•Large Language Models•Enterprise software•Digital healthcare technologies•Automation platforms•Data services•Cybersecurity solutionsEvaluate commercial models to ensure structures remain scalable as AI adoption increases across the organization, including:•Token-based pricing•Consumption pricing•API pricing•Enterprise licensing•Seat licensing•Usage-based charging•Multi-year commercial agreementsContract & Commercial ManagementAlongside our legal department, help govern the commercial lifecycle of supplier agreements including:•RFPs•Contract negotiation•Statement of Work development•Master Service Agreements•Software licensing•Renewals/Amendments•Exit planning•Data & privacy riskSupplier Relationship and Performance ManagementDevelop executive-level relationships with strategic suppliers. Establish supplier governance frameworks including:•Quarterly Business Reviews•KPI scorecards•Service reviews•Continuous improvement plans•Executive steering meetings•Holding suppliers accountable for agreed commercial and operational outcomes•Driving supplier innovation and identifying opportunities for increased value creationKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCEWe are seeking a commercially minded procurement professional who combines strong strategic thinking with excellent execution capability.Essential•Applicable undergraduate qualification and/or MBA•Approximately 8–15 years of procurement or strategic sourcing experience•Experience managing complex technology and software procurement•Knowledge of AI commercial licensing models and token-based pricing structures•Demonstrated success negotiating high-value commercial agreements•Strong contract management experience across the full contract lifecycle•Experience leading RFPs and competitive sourcing exercises.•Excellent stakeholder management skills, including Executive-level engagement•Strong commercial and financial acumen•Excellent analytical and negotiation capability•Outstanding written and verbal communication skills•Advanced Excel, Power BI and Microsoft 365 skillsHighly Desirable• Healthcare, insurance, TPA or regulated services experience• Procurement of AI platforms or enterprise software.• Experience negotiating Microsoft, Oracle, AWS, Azure, or similar strategic technology agreements• Experience supporting digital transformation programmes• CIPS qualification or equivalent procurement certificationCOMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPSThe job holder interacts with all Departments within NNHS and other service providers. He/ She must ensure seamless communication between all departments for the smooth operations and to achieve the organizational objective. He/ She must be able to foster strong internal & external communication standards.