Head of Procurement

Job summary

Head of Procurement

Salary: £75,055 - £82,400 plus a location allowance of £1,750 and excellent benefits
Location: Based in Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need
Free shuttle bus is available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

Behind every modern embassy or overseas project we support, there’s a dedicated Procurement team here in the UK making it all happen. They strive to provide value for money supply chains in a compliant manner to support the organisation, FCDO and our wider market customers, shaping strategies for sustainable and ethical sourcing. And now, you've got the opportunity to join them.

Sourcing for global projects.

Balancing cost with quality.

Having everything you need to grow.

It all matters.

Lead a strategically focussed procurement function

The Head of Procurement role has evolved at FCDO Services, with increased strategic responsibility across customer needs and supply chain considerations, market development and value generation. Join us, and you’ll shape the direction of a strategically focussed procurement function that delivers value for money while achieving long-term organisational objectives.

With accountability for all procurement activities across the organisation, including high-value, high-risk and complex procurements, you’ll drive the improvement and transformation of policies and systems. Developing a forward-looking procurement model and commercial strategy, you’ll enhance efficiency while ensuring robust governance and risk management.

Our work covers a broad range of activities, including supporting estates work for FCDO buildings in UK and overseas locations. So, you’ll be responsible for providing strong leadership direction and performance management across multi-functional and geographically dispersed operations. You’ll also lead the expansion of our overseas procurement activity, developing scalable operating models and strengthening organisational capability.

Extend your influence as you work to defend the UK’s global interests

MCIPS qualified, or with equivalent experience, you’ll bring the ability to set strategy, governance and assurance frameworks and provide authoritative advice on high-risk issues. With proven ability to lead and influence decision-making at senior executive level, you’ll bring experience of delivering organisational outcomes through others. You’re confident operating with a high degree of autonomy to manage supplier relationships, complex procurement activity and associated risks. And, with strong working knowledge of UK procurement regulations, Government commercial standards and corporate governance, you should also be able to interpret external trends and shape strategies in response to changing organisational and market conditions. Experience of operating across international or overseas procurement environmentsis also desirable.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

Working with us you’ll help keep people, information, and assets safe around the world. It’s a role you can feel proud of; and we aim to make every part of your career just as rewarding. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, good holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide to take you round to see how we deliver for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. You can find out more about vetting on our website: https://www.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Closing date: 18th October 2026

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Person specification

Essential:

• MCIPS qualification or equivalent experience
• Extensive experience of leading a strategically focused procurement function, including the setting of strategy, governance, and assurance frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead and influence at senior/executive level, including providing authoritative advice on complex and high-risk issues
• Extensive procurement experience in managing complex procurement activity, managing supplier relationships, developing strategic solutions, knowledge of supply chains for goods, services and works, and managing associated risks.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering organisational outcomes through others.
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, providing authoritative advice to senior leadership and influencing organisational decision-making.
• Strong working knowledge and understanding of UK procurement regulations, Government commercial standards and corporate governance.
• Ability to interpret external trends and shape strategies in response to changing organisational and market conditions

Qualifications

MCIPS qualification or equivalent experience

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Extensive experience of leading a strategically focused procurement function, including the setting of strategy, governance, and assurance frameworks
• Extensive procurement experience in managing complex procurement activity, managing supplier relationships, developing strategic solutions, knowledge of supply chains for goods, services and works, and managing associated risks.
• Ability to interpret external trends and shape strategies in response to changing organisational and market condition
• MCIPS qualification or equivalent experience

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,055, FCDO Services contributes £21,743 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what be