Procurement Operations Lead

Job Description

ISP Procurement Operations Lead

Purpose of Role

ISP is seeking an experienced, dynamic Procurement Operations Lead to lead the continuous evolution of our global procurement function. This role is pivotal in driving procurement transformation, digital enablement, process harmonisation, and change management across our expanding global network of schools and regional hubs.

Reporting to the Head of Group Procurement and acting as a key strategic partner to Procurement Leadership and Regional Business Partners, you will balance strategic vision with hands-on delivery. You will ensure that our Source-to-Pay (S2P) processes, vendor technologies, operational governance, and ESG goals align seamlessly with ISP's ethos of continuous improvement and educational excellence.

ISP Procurement Operations Lead Key Responsibilities

1. Process Excellence & Governance

• Serve as the global Subject Matter Expert (SME) for procurement governance, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and internal control frameworks.
• Monitor operational compliance and process performance, identifying efficiency bottlenecks and mitigating supply chain risks.
• Work closely with ISP’s strategic partner for shared services delivery to support the harmonisation of regional buying practices into a clear, scalable global operating model.
• Drive cross-functional projects that enhance the buying experience for school directors, operational heads, and central teams.
• Foster a culture of operational excellence, compliance, and smart spending to deliver value to ISP across non-procurement business users.

2. ESG & Responsible Procurement in Education

• Embed ISP’s sustainability and ethical sourcing commitments into daily procurement practices (Scope 3 carbon reduction, supplier diversity, and safeguarding compliance) to support Ecovadis accreditation.
• Support supply chain risk management, ensuring all suppliers meet ISP’s ethical and child-safety compliance standards, as well as data and cyber security protocols.
• Drive reporting and awareness around sustainable purchasing choices within our schools.

3. Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Design and execute structured change management and communication strategies for new procurement processes, policies, and digital deployments across diverse geographies.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders across Finance, IT, Regional Operations, Legal, and School Leadership teams.
• Facilitate global working groups, leadership forums, and interactive workshops to foster alignment and organisational readiness.
• Act as a trusted advisor on operational change, navigating cultural and regional nuances across ISP’s global footprint.
• Design and deliver end-to-end training programmemes, user guides, webinars, and knowledge repositories to build procurement capabilities group-wide.

4. Procurement Technology & Digital Enablement

• Drive the rollout, optimisation, and daily adoption of ISP’s procurement systems and digital tools.
• Partner with the Head of Procurement, Finance and IT to build a systems roadmap with ISP’s preferred software vendors to refine workflows, user experience (UX), and automation (including AI-enabled buying tools).

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience as a Procurement Excellence Manager, Procurement Operations Lead, or Transformation Manager within a matrixed, international organisation.
• Demonstrated track record of leading global change initiatives, process standardisations, and digital tool implementations (e.g. S2P software).
• Strong background in creating training programmemes, change toolkits, and clear executive communications.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple global workstreams simultaneously.

• Core Procurement: Source-to-Pay (S2P), Procurement Operations, Process Mapping, Operational Governance.
• Transformation & Change: Change Management, Continuous Improvement, Workshop Facilitation, Stakeholder Engagement.
• Technology & Data: Digital Adoption, ERP/Procurement System Enablement, Performance Metrics & Dashboarding.
• Soft Skills: Influencing without line management authority, cross-cultural communication, empathetic leadership, problem-solving.
• ESG and Risk Mgt: Sustainable Sourcing, Ethical Supply Chain Management, Supplier Risk.

Location and Travel

This role can be based in Portugal or another European location where ISP is able to employ. The role operates across ISP’s global footprint and works closely with ISP’s shared service teams, regional hubs and schools.

Periodic international travel is an expectation of this role, including travel to ISP schools, regional offices and supplier locations.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding

and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.