Be Part of Something Bigger
Join YPO’s Expanding Procurement Team
At YPO, we’re not just growing—we’re transforming. As one of the UK’s largest public sector buying organisations, we’re expanding our Procurement team to foster innovation, deliver smarter solutions, and drive meaningful change across the public sector.
From schools and councils to emergency services and beyond, our work impacts lives across the UK. Now, we’re seeking passionate, forward-thinking professionals to help us shape the future of public procurement.
Why Join YPO Now?
A Moment of Momentum: With over 50 years of trusted service, we’re entering a bold new chapter—investing in innovation, expanding our reach, and reimagining how procurement can serve the public good.
Real-World Impact: Our procurement team plays a central role in projects that matter—delivering value, sustainability, and efficiency where it counts most.
Collaborative Culture: Join a team that thrives on partnership, creativity, and shared purpose. We’re not just colleagues—we’re a community.
Opportunities to Grow: Whether you’re a seasoned expert or an emerging talent, you’ll find room to develop, lead, and make your mark.
Andrea Smith, Executive Director of Procurement, shares:
This is more than recruitment — it’s a call to action. We’re assembling a team that will redefine what procurement can achieve for the public sector. If you’re motivated by purpose, innovation, and the opportunity to make a lasting difference, we want to hear from you.
We’re Hiring Across Three Key Areas:
- Procurement Product and Supply Solutions
- Procurement Services and Supply Solutions
- Public Sector Customer Engagement
Each role provides a unique chance to contribute to impactful projects, work with diverse stakeholders, and help shape a more sustainable, efficient future for public procurement. Paul Barry is the Head of Public Sector Customer Engagement.
Andrea Smith – Executive Director
Andreas, as Executive Director of Procurement, drives YPO’s strategic procurement direction. She oversees procurement operations, ensuring delivery of high-quality, compliant, and innovative solutions for public sector clients. As a YPO board member, she leads the Procurement Product, Supply Solutions, and Public Sector Engagement teams. Daily, Andreas focuses on performance, strategy, and transformation, collaborating with stakeholders to achieve long-term goals and maximise value for the public sector. Prior to YPO, she held senior NHS procurement roles, is a CIPS fellow, and actively participates in procurement networks. “As a professional, I’m passionate about building high-performing teams, championing sustainable and socially responsible procurement, and creating opportunities for innovation and growth. YPO’s 50-year legacy of supporting the public sector is a powerful foundation and I’m proud to be part of shaping its future.”
Paul Barry – Head of Public Sector Customer Engagement
Paul’s role centres on public sector engagement, leading a 25-member team to ensure contracting authorities know about YPO's offerings.
He oversees Customer Engagement, Bespoke Procurement Solutions, the Training Academy, and Commercial Management Solutions. His portfolio supports the public sector in delivering value for money while maintaining compliance, helping procurement functions operate optimally. With 20 years in public sector procurement, Paul brings extensive knowledge, focusing on efficiencies, value, and relationships to maximise public funding.
Michelle Walker – Head of Procurement Service and Supply Solutions
Michelle Walker, Head of Procurement Service and Supply Solutions at YPO, oversees procurement frameworks and services, ensuring compliance and alignment with public sector needs. She manages a team of Strategic Procurement Managers and Category Leads across sectors like education, local government, emergency services, and the wider public sector, focusing on framework development, supplier engagement, performance, and customer support. Michelle collaborates with internal teams, suppliers, and partners to enhance value, efficiency, and innovation, working closely with heads of function and Andrea for strategic alignment. With over 30 years in public sector procurement, she has led transformation projects, category strategies, and collaborative models. She is passionate about delivering value through ethical, sustainable, and innovative procurement, empowering teams, strengthening supplier relationships, and improving service.
Ashley Cartwright – Head of Procurement – Product and Supply Solutions
Ash oversees multiple trade categories across the organisation, guiding procurement strategy and supporting high-quality, value-driven solutions. He manages various teams to deliver strategic, measurable outcomes and works with suppliers to monitor stock levels, optimise availability, and ensure consistent service. Ash operates in categories including furniture, office supplies, curriculum, facilities management, food and beverage, catering, and early years. Daily, he leads category reviews, conducts competitor analysis, guides stock optimisation, and ensures procurement compliance. A key part of his role is building strong supplier relationships to deliver value for money to the public sector.
YPO is expanding its Procurement team to support long-term impact across the public sector.
YPO is growing its procurement team to enable new services, innovative projects, and make a genuine difference throughout the public sector.
Comprised of three core functions, YPO’s procurement team supports schools, councils, emergency services, and more across the UK.
As one of the UK’s largest public sector buying organisations, we offer a wide range of products, services, and procurement solutions tailored to our customers’ needs. From fully compliant frameworks and expert consultancy to training and support, we aim to make procurement easier, more efficient, and more impactful.
With investment in innovation and growth, this is a pivotal time to join a team shaping the future of public procurement.
Andrea Smith, Executive Director, Procurement, said: “YPO has over 50 years’ experience in helping the public sector achieve the best possible value when buying products and services. Reaching this milestone serves as a launchpad for the organisation to continue to meet and adapt to the future needs of our customers through the growth of our procurement team.
Our new positions aren’t just vacancies but opportunities to create a lasting impact through more innovative, sustainable procurement.
YPO has been a cornerstone of excellence for over five decades, and it’s the perfect time to join our thriving procurement community.”
Roles now available to join our Procurement Product and Supply Solutions function; Procurement Services and Supply Solutions team; and our Public Sector Customer Engagement team:
Job Opportunities
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Strategic Procurement Manager - Corporate, Technology and Professional Solutions
Salary: £57,042-£60,227
Contract: Permanent, Full-time, 37 hours per week
Location: YPO Headquarters, 41 Industrial Park, Wakefield WF2 0XE
Job Description (pdf.) [172 KB]
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Strategic Procurement Manager - CMS & Workflow
Salary: £57,042-£60,227
Contract: Permanent, Full-time, 37 hours per week
Location: YPO Headquarters, 41 Industrial Park, Wakefield WF2 0XE
Job Description (pdf.) [172 KB]
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A Great Place to Grow
"Working at YPO has been a genuinely rewarding experience. It’s not just about the work we do—it’s about the impact we make. Every day, I feel part of something bigger, helping to support schools, councils, and public services across the UK. The culture here is collaborative, inclusive, and full of opportunities to learn and grow."
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A Great Place to Grow
"YPO really invests in its people. From flexible working and generous holidays to professional development and wellbeing support, the benefits are fantastic. There’s a real sense of purpose and pride in what we do—and that makes coming to work every day feel meaningful." - Helen
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Where Ideas turn into Action
"What sets YPO apart is the people. Everyone here is passionate about delivering value to the public sector, and that shared purpose creates a really positive and supportive environment. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, there’s space to develop, innovate, and make a difference."
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Where Ideas turn into Action
"What sets YPO apart is the people. Everyone here is passionate about delivering value to the public sector, and that shared purpose creates a really positive and supportive environment. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, there’s space to develop, innovate, and make a difference."
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Senior Procurement Consultant
Salary: £48,710-£51,802
Contract: 2 x Permanent, Full-time, 37 hours per week
Location: YPO Headquarters, 41 Industrial Park, Wakefield WF2 0XE
Job Description (pdf.) [172 KB]
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Procurement Consultant
Salary: £40,476-£43,693
Contract: Permanent, Full-time, 37 hours per week
Location: YPO Headquarters, 41 Industrial Park, Wakefield WF2 0XE
Job Description (pdf.) [172 KB]
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Category Lead - Energy
Salary: £48,710-£51,802
Contracts: Permanent, Full-time, 37 hours per week
Location: YPO Headquarters, 41 Industrial Park, Wakefield WF2 0XE
Job Description (pdf.) [152 KB]
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Assistant Category Lead - Food
Salary: £44,711-£47,754
Contracts: Permanent, Full-time, 37 hours per week
Location: YPO Headquarters, 41 Industrial Park, Wakefield WF2 0XE
Job Description (pdf.) [152 KB]
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Assistant Buyer
Salary: £31,067-£32,654
Contract: 2 x Permanent, Full-time, 37 hours per week
Location: YPO Headquarters, 41 Kenmore Road, Wakefield WF2 0XE
Job Description (pdf.) [157 KB]
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Local government pension
We offer generous defined benefit pension options under the West Yorkshire Pension Scheme.
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Family-friendly policies
Our family-friendly policies include flexible home-working options, and flexi-time opportunities.
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Additional training options
We offer a range of additional training and development options for staff to progress in their career at YPO.
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Cycle to work scheme
Make savings while keeping fit, reducing your carbon footprint and spending less time in your car!
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Professional Mental Health Services
We’re proud to offer mental health support through Spill, a modern workplace counselling service. Spill provides an accessible, inclusive and human approach to professional support.
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Generous holiday allowances
We offer a generous annual leave package per year starting at 24 days, plus 8 statutory holidays and 3 discretionary closedown days.
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Gym membership
Enjoy discounted sports and leisure memberships with full access to gyms, swimming facilities and classes.
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Sports and social club
From discounted family and social outings, to monthly prize draws, our Sports & Social club is well worth joining!
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Wellbeing support
We are committed to staff wellbeing through year-round activities, peer support groups, professional mental health services, and our proud membership in the Mindful Employer and Healthy Wakefield charters.
“Our mission is to help the public sector achieve the best possible value when buying products and services across the UK.”
Established in 1974, YPO now has over 50 years' experience in giving back to the public sector. Five decades ago, 13 local authorities came together to combine their buying demands and achieve efficiency, and that's when our organisation as it's known today began.
We supply products and services to a wide range of customers including schools, local authorities, charities, emergency services, the public sector, and other businesses such as nurseries and care homes.
We're 100% publicly owned by our 13 member authorities, which means the profits we make are returned to our public sector customers, delivering even better value for money.
We work closely with suppliers and collaborate with other public sector buying organisations to achieve efficiencies and value for money. Through collaboration, YPO provides products and services to meet specific needs and objectives, through a wide range of procurement categories and frameworks.
We believe that every penny counts – YPO offers an opportunity to make an impact and a real difference by delivering social value and outcomes in the communities it serves.
About YPO
YPO - Our history and heritage - YouTube
Our Values and Behaviours
YPO's New Brand Values - YouTube
Being located so close to Leeds and Sheffield, living in Wakefield means that you can take full advantage of all the amenities in these vibrant cities and in terms of transport it could not be better, with immediate access to the M1 and M62, as well as strong railway and airport links. Commuting to London and back in a day is totally feasible.
Wakefield itself has a lot to offer in terms of culture and the arts – there is The Hepworth Art Gallery, Theatre Royal, Coal Mining Museum, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Wakefield Cathedral. If outdoor activities are more your thing, it boasts Xscape Yorkshire and Snozone Yorkshire on the doorstep, as well as Pontefract Racecourse, and many beautiful outdoor spaces including country parks at Newmillerdam and Nostell (National Trust), to name but a few.
You will find that housing is much more affordable than in other parts of Yorkshire, and there are many pretty villages in and around the area which provide rural idylls with a strong sense of community; great places for family living.
How to Apply
We reserve the right to remove this vacancy before the proposed deadline in the event of the position being filled, a change of requirements or a large number of applications being received.
YPO is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, any disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, or belief.
We will not accept applications from agencies and can only consider applications from individuals with right to work within the UK.
YPO is committed to protecting your privacy when you use our services. Please refer to our Privacy Statement which explains how we use information about you and how we protect your privacy. Privacy | YPO