Procurement Officer

Vanrath are delighted to be supporting the recruitment of a Procurement Officer for a large public sector body in Bandbridge on a temporary basis.

What's in it for you?

Grade/Pay: up to £35,000 (to be discussed)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Hours: Full-time hours

Purpose of the Post

To support the delivery of the procurement and contract management agenda, ensuring all goods, works and services are procured in compliance with relevant legislation, Standing Orders, financial regulations, and best practice. To help deliver value for money, risk management, and ethical / sustainable procurement across the business.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. Assist in the development, implementation and maintenance of the corporate procurement strategy, policies and procedures.
2. Manage or support procurement activities (tendering, quotations, evaluation, contract award) in accordance with public procurement legislation and the standing orders and financial regulations.
3. Prepare tender documentation, invite and evaluate bids, negotiate contract terms and ensure contract management arrangements are in place.
4. Liaise with internal stakeholders (service managers, budget holders) to understand their requirements, support specification development, market engagement and procurement planning.
5. Maintain and manage the contract register, procurement spend analysis and category plans; monitor performance of suppliers and contracts to ensure compliance and value for money.
6. Monitor and report on procurement activity and outcomes (savings achieved, compliance levels, contract performance) to senior management.
7. Identify opportunities for savings, efficiencies, collaborative procurement and sustainable procurement including social value, environmental considerations and local supplier engagement.
8. Provide procurement advice, training and guidance to the officers to ensure awareness of procurement law, best practice and internal policies.
9. Ensure accurate and up-to-date procurement records, documentation and audit trails; facilitate internal/external audits of procurement activity.
10. Keep abreast of procurement legislation, framework agreements, public sector initiatives and digital procurement systems and implement good practice.
11. Undertake any other duties as required by the Procurement Manager in line with the scope of the post.

Person Specification
Essential Criteria

• Educated to a relevant degree level or equivalent qualification or significant relevant experience in procurement or commercial function.
• Experience of working within a procurement environment, preferably in the public sector.
• Good knowledge of public procurement legislation, contract law, and public sector procurement best practice.
• Demonstrable experience of running procurement or tendering processes (from specification through to contract award) and contract management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels (internal and external).
• Ability to analyse data, prepare reports, manage budgets/spend and monitor performance.
• Excellent organisational skills with ability to manage multiple procurement projects and meet deadlines.
• IT literate - competent in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with electronic tendering/e-procurement systems desirable.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team; proactive, flexible and solution-oriented.
• Commitment to achieving value for money, ethical procurement and sustainable procurement practices.

Desirable Criteria

• Professional qualification (or working towards) such as membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) or equivalent.
• Experience of using contract management systems, supplier performance management and spend analytics.
• Knowledge of Council procedures, local government finance, standing orders and governance frameworks in Northern Ireland.
• Experience of social value, environmental procurement requirements and sustainable/ethical sourcing.
• Experience of collaborative procurement, framework agreements or partnerships with other authorities.

IND04

• To apply today contact Leanne Garrett in the strictest confidence.