At a Glance
- Tasks: Support procurement projects and improve practices while working with a friendly team.
- Company: Join the Cambridgeshire Council, dedicated to serving diverse communities.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time hours, competitive pay, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Enjoy a mix of home and office work with great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Strong communication, IT, and analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
The Procurement and Commercial Team are looking to recruit a Procurement Assistant on a part-time basis to play a key role in delivering our service to the wider Council. You will be working as part of a friendly, professional and experienced team who are dedicated to making sure that the Council gets best value from our external spend.
With a mixture of home and office working, Alconbury Weald will be your main work base. You will be working 20 hours per week - please note that the salary shown is for full-time (37 hours) and you will be paid pro-rata for 20 hours per week. The salary shown is based on 2025/26 pay scales, the pay award for 2026/27 has not yet been confirmed.
Interviews will be on Monday 8th June at New Shire Hall, Alconbury Weald. For more information or to discuss this opportunity please contact us.
What will you be doing?
- Obtaining and reporting on management information relating to procurement
- Supporting a range of initiatives focused on improving procurement practices and delivering efficiencies
- Supporting the team with procurement projects
- Providing procurement support and advice across the Council
- Becoming a super-user for our e-procurement system
- Supporting the delivery of procurement training and awareness programmes
- Managing procurement-related workflows in our finance system
About you
You will be the first point of contact for people engaging with the Procurement and Commercial Team, so you should be supportive with excellent communication skills, adapting your working style to suit different audiences. You will be organised and able to plan and prioritise your own time, reacting positively to new challenges and changing circumstances. It is essential that you have very good IT and analytical skills.
About us
Cambridgeshire is a great place to work and live with a diverse population, an urban centre in Cambridge, historic Isle of Ely, Huntingdon and St Ives as well as more rural landscapes. Our four values are central to our culture, driving everything we do. We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we firmly believe benefits our colleagues, the organisation and our communities.
If you don’t meet every single requirement in the job role but think this could be you, please don’t be put off. We are committed to building a workplace that is compassionate and inclusive as well as diverse, so if you think you could be a good candidate for this role please consider applying and speak to the recruiting manager if you have any questions.
Equality and Inclusion
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, along with our employee network IDEAL and self-organised peer support groups help us to foster an inclusive, supportive and safe working environment where people feel valued, respected, and empowered. We collect relevant diversity data for monitoring as part of the recruitment process to understand the diversity of our applicants and monitor any trends throughout the recruitment processes so that we can take meaningful action. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We fully support providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, as well as when you join us, and we encourage candidates to contact the Hiring Manager to discuss any adjustment needs. Through a Guaranteed Interview Scheme, we will offer an interview to all applicants who disclose a disability and meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy. On your application form you can indicate you are disabled.
Visit our jobs and careers section to find out more about our wide range of learning and development opportunities; apprenticeships; our wellbeing package; staff benefits; our commitment to equality, diversity and Inclusion.
Procurement Assistant employer: Cambridge County Council
Contact Detail:
Cambridge County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Procurement and Commercial Team. Understanding their projects and values will help you connect during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to procurement and your analytical skills. Think about examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your abilities and how they align with the job description.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your IT skills! Since the role requires good IT and analytical skills, be ready to discuss any relevant software or systems you've used. If you have experience with e-procurement systems, make sure to highlight that!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t hesitate to ask questions! At the end of your interview, take the opportunity to ask about the team's current projects or challenges. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Procurement Assistant. We want to see how you can contribute to our team and support the Council's goals.
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be the first point of contact for the Procurement and Commercial Team, it's essential to demonstrate your excellent communication skills in your written application. Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas.
Highlight Your IT and Analytical Skills: As a Procurement Assistant, you'll need strong IT and analytical skills. Be sure to mention any relevant experience or tools you've used that showcase your ability to manage procurement-related workflows effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridge County Council
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Before the interview, brush up on key procurement concepts and practices. Understand the role of a Procurement Assistant and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to improving procurement practices and delivering efficiencies.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As the first point of contact for the team, your communication skills are crucial. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with different audiences in the past, and be ready to demonstrate your supportive approach during the interview.
✨Be Organised and Adaptable
Highlight your organisational skills by discussing how you prioritise tasks and manage your time. Be prepared to share experiences where you've successfully adapted to new challenges or changing circumstances, as this is essential for the role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with E-Procurement Systems
Since you'll become a super-user for the e-procurement system, it’s beneficial to have some knowledge about such systems. If you have experience with any specific software, mention it, and express your eagerness to learn and support training initiatives.