At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement processes for various categories, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
- Company: Join Crescent Purchasing Consortium, a not-for-profit charity making a real difference in public sector procurement.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holidays, bonuses, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Be part of an award-winning team that values your ideas and promotes social impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive public sector procurement experience and understanding of relevant legislation required.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 45000 £ per year.
Overview
Are you an experienced Procurement professional with public sector experience looking for your next role? Do you want to make a real difference in the education sector? Then we have an exciting role for you working within a growing charity organisation.
Who are we?
Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) is a not-for-profit purchasing consortium producing compliant purchasing frameworks and providing specialist advice on spending practices and value for money. Our longstanding history and dedication has earned CPC a reputation for excellence, supporting public sector organisations with a combined non-pay spend of £441m throughout the 2023/24 financial year alone.
What makes us different?
We are an award-winning organisation recognised and certified as a \”Great place to work\”. We offer a collaborative, exciting environment where your ideas are heard and valued. We provide competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for career development. We are making a real difference and you can be a part of it!
What\’s the role?
The role is offered as a full-time position working with our clients based in the Buckinghamshire area. Travel will be required. We will consider applicants requiring part-time hours.
This role will require regular travel to our clients\’ premises and involves working onsite directly with our educational clients to provide a fully comprehensive procurement and tendering service. Successful applicants must be able to travel and must have public sector tendering experience.
This role sits within our Crescent Managed Services, specialising in offering procurement consultancy services to the education sector. You will be responsible for leading the process for procuring contracts for a variety of categories, including facilities, estates, finance, curriculum and ICT and other projects and services. The role will contribute to embedding best practice, efficiency and effectiveness within procurement processes and decisions, ensuring compliance with UK procurement regulations and legislation and assisting us to achieve savings. Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will be responsible for offering a proactive and comprehensive service and advice on all aspects of procurement to all levels of personnel and manage relationships between our client and their diverse range of suppliers.
Person Specification
We are looking for someone who has procurement experience within the public sector or the education sector and knowledge of public sector Procurement Act 2023.
Benefits
Salary of up to £45,000 FTE per annum depending on experience.
Generous yearly discretionary bonuses following successful probation.
Remote working with visits to clients onsite when required.
Access to a local government pension scheme which includes death-in-service and ill health.
Opportunities to develop through our in-house development programmes and through external learning with full support given to achieve MCIPS.
38 days holiday (including three days additional leave for Christmas holiday closure and bank holidays).
Time off for volunteering opportunities.
Enhanced leave packages such as paid sickness, carers leave, bereavement and compassionate leave and maternity pay.
Support for wellbeing with access to 8 mental health first aiders and the opportunity to join an Employee Assistance Programme.
The chance to get involved in a number of working groups, such as Equality Diversity and Inclusion, Wellbeing and Sustainability.
The opportunity to join our Women\’s, Men\’s and Carer\’s employee support networks which provide safe spaces for colleagues to share their experiences.
Social and employee events throughout summer and at Christmas.
Has a programme of \’giving back\’ to the communities in which it is based and which it supports.
Travel expenses paid for any additional required travelling outside of your contracted place of work.
Next Steps
The deadline to apply is Sunday 8th February 2026. Following successful application, we will invite selected candidates to meet for an interview via Teams with our hiring managers. If you like what you\’ve read, please don\’t delay in applying as we may close vacancies early where we receive lots of applications.
Please note that VISA sponsorship is not offered for this role.
We are a disability confident employer so if you need any adjustments made to support your application, for example, if you require information in different formats or if you have any accessibility issues, we are more than happy to review our processes. Please feel free to get in touch with us at peopledevelopment@thecpc.ac.uk.
As an equal opportunities employer, Crescent Purchasing Consortium is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us.
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Procurement Specialist employer: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
Contact Detail:
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific procurement frameworks and regulations relevant to the public sector. Understanding these will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance and best practices.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field, especially those who have experience in the charity or public sector. Engaging with industry peers can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed procurement processes in the past. Highlighting your achievements and the impact of your work will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Crescent Purchasing Consortium and its mission. Being able to articulate how your values align with theirs during the interview will show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in public sector procurement. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to deliver outstanding procurement services and your understanding of UK procurement regulations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for working in a charity and your proactive approach to procurement. Mention how your skills align with the values and mission of Crescent Purchasing Consortium.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise any previous roles where you led procurement processes or managed supplier relationships. This will show your capability to handle the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: Crescent Purchasing Consortium values a positive attitude and collaboration. Include examples of how you've worked effectively in teams and contributed to a supportive work environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
✨Understand the Organisation's Mission
Before your interview, take some time to research Crescent Purchasing Consortium and its mission. Understanding their commitment to making a difference in the public sector will help you align your answers with their values and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Procurement Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous procurement experience in detail, especially within the public sector. Highlight specific projects where you successfully navigated procurement processes, ensuring compliance with regulations while achieving cost savings.
✨Demonstrate Your Proactive Approach
The role requires a positive and proactive attitude. Share examples of how you've taken initiative in past roles, whether it was improving procurement processes or building strong relationships with suppliers. This will show that you can contribute positively to the team.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Having thoughtful questions ready for your interviewers can set you apart. Ask about the challenges they face in procurement or how they measure success in this role. This shows your engagement and eagerness to understand the position better.