Procurement Officer in Enderby

We have a great opportunity for an experienced Procurement Officer to work for Leicestershire Police out of their headquarters in Enderby, Leicestershire. This is a temporary ongoing role working Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Job Role/Purpose: To provide professional procurement advice and guidance to Leicestershire Police on appropriate procurement procedures and contract management, and to lead the delivery of compliant end-to-end tender processes. The post holder will run competitive procurements from initial specification through to contract award, including writing and quality-assuring specifications, advertising contract opportunities, managing and evaluating tenders, and preparing procurement recommendations and contractual documentation. The role also involves placing contracts, managing contracts and supplier performance, resolving contractual issues or disputes, and maintaining and managing electronic procurement systems to ensure transparent, efficient, and legally compliant procurement activities.

Core Responsibilities/Accountabilities

• Operational: To provide professional procurement advice and guidance to BCU and departmental managers, senior managers, Chief Officers and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, ensuring compliance with procurement legislation, Force Contract Standing Orders and financial regulations. To manage end-to-end procurement and tender processes, including drafting and quality-assuring specifications, consulting with stakeholders, determining appropriate award criteria, advertising tender opportunities, managing receipt of bids, co-ordinating the evaluation of submissions against award criteria, and preparing procurement recommendations, contractual documentation and contract award documentation. To support the implementation of awarded contracts. To analyse financial and procurement data to identify areas of non-compliance, risk or opportunity, and to support projects aimed at improving value for money, governance and procurement practice across the Force. To monitor and manage the performance of suppliers against contractual requirements and KPIs, producing spend and performance information as required, and taking appropriate action to address performance issues or contractual deviations. To manage, maintain and update information held within Force e-tendering systems, procurement databases and transactional procurement systems to support transparent, efficient and compliant procurement activity.
• Communication: To communicate effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including BCU and departmental managers, senior officers, suppliers and partner organisations, providing clear and timely procurement advice, guidance and information. To manage procurement-related communications throughout tender and contract lifecycles, including issuing clarifications, responding to queries, supporting evaluation activity, and communicating contract award and implementation requirements, ensuring transparency, consistency and compliance with procurement regulations.
• Administration: To effectively plan, prioritise and manage a varied workload to meet competing deadlines, ensuring procurement activities are delivered accurately, efficiently and in accordance with agreed timescales. To maintain appropriate records and documentation to support audit trails, transparency and compliance.
• General: Be flexible in terms of working location and be prepared to work temporarily at other locations within the Force area, undertaking a similar role as well as some working during weekends and unsocial hours.

Essential knowledge: To hold GCSE grade 'C' or equivalent in English Language and Maths and/or be able to demonstrate experience of working to that standard.

Work Experience: To have significant experience of working within a procurement environment. To have considerable experience in a role where you have had to advise budget holders and senior managers in respect of procurement. To have considerable experience of undertaking and managing tender processes. To have considerable experience of managing suppliers and contracts. To have a sound knowledge of UK contract law and EU directives relating to procurement legislation, including PCR 2015 and Procurement Act 2023. To be able to work on own initiative and prioritise workload.

Personal / Interpersonal Skills, Aptitudes: To have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Experience of problem solving.

Special Skills: To have strong written communication and management report writing skills. To be computer literate with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.