At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies for Children's Services and collaborate with commissioners.
- Company: Local authority in Shrewsbury offering remote work opportunities.
- Benefits: Competitive pay of £500 to £550 Outside IR35.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence high-value procurements and develop sustainable capabilities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's services while working flexibly.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement within Children's Services and strong collaboration skills.
Our local authority client based in Shrewsbury are urgently seeking an experienced Procurement Consultant.
- *Remote working
- The Assignment
Children’s Services is the next major category to be addressed.
The Council is beginning to establish the full pipeline and needs a consultant who can quickly understand the service context, develop the category approach and work alongside commissioners to progress priority procurements.
The successful consultant will provide informed, diplomatic challenge while helping stakeholders reach solutions that are commercially credible, compliant and appropriate for a large rural authority.
There is also important crossover with Adults and Public Health, so the category approach must recognise shared markets, services and commissioning priorities.
Key responsibilities
- Engage with Children’s Services commissioners to understand the current pipeline, service pressures, priorities and intended outcomes.
- Develop a coherent Children’s Services category plan, connected to relevant activity across Adults and Public Health.
- Translate commissioning requirements into clear, proportionate and commercially robust procurement strategies.
- Lead and support complex and high-value procurements from early market consideration through to award and mobilisation.
- Use market knowledge to test assumptions, identify risks and shape realistic sourcing options.
Act as a critical friend to commissioners, providing constructive and diplomatic challenge where proposals may have unintended commercial, contractual or delivery consequences.
- Help stakeholders balance compliance, value for money, provider-market capacity, service quality and outcomes for children and families.
- Bring structure and expertise without judgement, helping the service build sustainable capability as work progresses.
- Candidate profile
- Significant procurement and category experience within Children’s Services, ideally in local government.
- A strong understanding of commissioning environments and the ability to work collaboratively with commissioners.
- Experience developing category plans, sourcing strategies and procurement pipelines.
- Knowledge of relevant provider markets, potentially including children’s social care, social worker supply, SEND, early intervention, specialist placements and third-sector services.
- A track record of leading complex or high-value service procurements.
- The ability to connect Children’s Services requirements with related activity across Adults and Public Health.
Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained.
At this point, may we take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in this role.
Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not always possible to respond to everyone.
Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy will have been unsuccessful
Procurement Consultant in Shrewsbury employer: 4Recruitment Services
As a Videographer for our local authority client in South London, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to producing high-quality video content that supports the council's key priorities. The role offers a collaborative work culture, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a meaningful impact within the community. With competitive pay and a focus on creativity, this position is ideal for those looking to thrive in a supportive environment while contributing to important local initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Consultant in Shrewsbury
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Consultant in Shrewsbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show 4Recruitment Services that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, 4Recruitment Services can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows 4Recruitment Services that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let 4Recruitment Services know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at 4Recruitment Services
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
