Vacancies

About the Post

We are looking to appoint a Procurement & Contracts Manager to join our professional and friendly Twynham Learning Core Services “(aka Head Office team)”.

We are Twynham Learning. A multi-academy trust comprised of five primary schools, three secondary schools, Bournemouth Bay Teacher Training Partnership, a branch of Dorset School Games and Two Rivers Institute. Our vision is to deliver a world class education system for our locality that challenges social injustice and provides opportunities irrespective of background. Our mission is to provide a strong framework of support across the BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole) area, utilising our model of local networks, partnership and high expectations to deliver an increasingly ambitious vison for education. We are a values-driven, inclusive employer.

This is a brand new post in our structure, providing a rare and exciting opportunity for a talented and confident individual to shape and develop the role, starting from a blank canvass. We welcome applications from candidates who have honed their skills in the private sector, as well as those with relevant experience in the public sector.

We are looking for an outstanding individual who will relish the opportunity to:

• Lead on our procurement – including setting strategy and a preferred supplier list, negotiating, ensuring trust-wide compliance and supporting large-scale procurement projects
• Be responsible for contracts management – actively engaging with our suppliers to achieve best value, monitoring KPIs and supplier performance and making sure that risks and compliance are well managed
• Work collaboratively with our schools and internal stakeholders to align procurement and contracts management to our strategic priorities and to champion best practice and best value/cost saving
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in accordance with our Safeguarding and Child Protection policies.

What we can offer you

• An opportunity to make a meaningful difference to our local communities and the lives of children and young people
• 29 days’ holiday leave per year, increasing to 34 days with service (pro rata for part timers)
• Automatic membership of the Dorset Local Government Pension Scheme
• Free, confidential access to our Employee Assistance Programme, which offers a range of counselling services plus financial, legal and practical support from qualified professionals on a range of personal issues and access to online health and wellbeing resources
• A trust-wide intranet, where we share our news, information and resources
• Local discounts negotiated on behalf of our staff e.g. gym memberships, hair and beauty salons, chiropractic care, cycle shops, restaurants, motoring services, and retail/DIY stores
• Access to national discounts on a wide variety of huge brands
• A welcoming staff room with complimentary tea and coffee available throughout the day
• Free on-site parking
• The opportunity to work within Twynham Learning; a progressive multi-academy trust
• The opportunity to work in one of the most beautiful areas of the South Coast

Who we are looking for

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Have a successful track record of working in procurement/contracts management and driving benefits and savings for the organisation
• Have knowledge and understanding of public procurement regulations and compliance requirements
• Are highly skilled at negotiating contracts and supporting small-to-large scale procurements
• Have strong analytical skills and attention to detail, and are astute.
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with successful experience of managing supplier relationships
• Are proficient in using procurement software and the Microsoft Office Suite
• Are organised, with an ability to work independently and prioritise effectively
• Are customer-focussed
• Are highly resilient and relentless in the pursuit of best value
• Can take accountability and ownership of procurement outcomes in a complex multi-stakeholder environment

You will also be keen to live our Twynham Learning employee values which are:

• Aim high
• Keep improving
• Don’t leave anyone behind
• See the bigger picture

Any questions?

To discuss the post or your application, please contact Vicky Elsworth on 01202 402789 or email us at recruitment@twynhamlearning.com

How to apply

To apply for this vacancy, please submit a Job Application Form and Diversity Questionnaire by email to: recruitment@twynhamlearning.com  

Only applications made using our own official application form will be accepted. You can download the form and questionnaire here:  www.twynhamlearning.com/187/staff-vacancies

The closing date for applications is Monday 23 February 2026 at 9am.

Twynham Learning values diversity and inclusiveness. We aim to eliminate unlawful discrimination and promote diversity throughout our whole workforce. We want our workforce to be representative of all sections of our community, so we give equal opportunities to all job applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability status, gender reassignment, marital/partnership status, pregnancy/maternity, race/colour/national origin, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation. Only people who can evidence their right to work in the UK will be considered for this vacancy. We are committed to robust Safer Recruitment processes as part of our strong commitment to safeguard children and young people. An enhanced criminal records check will be undertaken on the successful candidate. Candidates must disclose all unprotected spent and unspent cautions and convictions. It is an offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.