Procurement Support Officer

Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we can offer you a wide range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities.

At Cheshire East Council we are working for a brighter future – together and our commitment to you is that our workplace culture will provide a shared purpose, a well-led organisation with valued people succeeding together as one team and one council to deliver the best service for our customers and communities.

If you want to be part of our award-winning council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you.

As an equal opportunity\’s employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our local communities so that we can all work for a brighter future – together.

Brighter Future

Employee benefits (cheshireeast.gov.uk)

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has become available to work within the Procurement Team 37 hrs per week.

Procurement is responsible for providing support and enabling services across the council to ensure that commercial arrangements and contracts awarded provide value for money, achieve the corporate and commissioning objectives, and provide the best social value for the council and residents in a transparent manner.

Responsible to the Category Manager (Corporate) you will assist in best practice procurement across a range of areas e.g. ICT, HR, Consultancy etc but will work across all category areas within our team of Corporate, place, People.

The post requires good attention to detail, initiative, good interpersonal skills, data analysis, good ICT skills to include use of all Microsoft packages and purchasing systems (to include financial systems such as Unit 4 ERP, E-tendering portals, various databases). You will work closely with service leads and guide them through the relevant procurement processes, supporting administration of the Expenditure Review Panel and the new Procurement Board as well as undertaking various other administrative functions such as monthly statutory reporting, preparing agenda’s minutes, co-ordinating FOI request etc.

The role is diverse with no one day the same, for more information on the role please view the attached job description and person specification.

About you

• Possess good attention to detail

• Experience of working within an office environment & supporting procurement processes

• Experience of Procurement would be an advantage and/or working towards CIPS level 4.

• The ability to work under minimal supervision in a fast paced and high-pressure environment.

• The ability to be flexible to the demands of the service.

• Excellent relationship management skills

• High level of IT skills

• Undertake duties in accordance with Council Policy and Procedure

What we can offer you:

• HYBRID WORKING ~ we offer a flexible approach to work that includes the option to work from home on a regular basis but must be able to regularly come into the office to meet the needs of the role.

• Procurement staff must be able to attend meetings at other sites around the borough.

• COMPETITIVE SALARY with a pay award pending.

• ANNUAL LEAVE – 26 days (plus bank holidays) up to 31 days after 5 years’ service.

• FLEXIBLE WORKING PATTERN – 37-hour standard working week with flexi time and hybrid/remote working arrangements.

• PURCHASE OF ANNUAL LEAVE – The ability to purchase up to 10 days extra annual leave each year in addition to your normal annual leave entitlements (this is pro-rata for part time staff)

• CYCLE TO WORK SCHEME – receive income tax and national insurance savings of up to 25-39% of the retail price of the bike and safety equipment package (savings dependent on the value of your chosen package and tax status)

• EMPLOYEE ASSIST PROGRAMME – a completely free to use and confidential assistance service for all employees to help staff manage, reduce and overcome the impact of life issues which they may experience from time to time both within work and their personal life.

• VIRGIN MEDIA AND O2 DISCOUNTS – exclusive discounts on Virgin Media Broadband and O2 pay monthly plans

• DISCOUNTED GYM MEMBERSHIPS – access to corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure which includes:

• Gym, swim and group fitness at all 16 facilities

• Off-peak racket sports

• Athletics tracks

• Sauna/Steam/Spa

• Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.

• If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however, please do not be discouraged from applying again.

• For any technical enquiries please email sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk

• Please quote job reference number in all correspondence.

CONTACTING US

If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Emma Harris on 01270 686582 or email: emma.harris@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.

If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however please do not be discouraged from applying again.

Please quote job reference number in all correspondence.

Pay Award Pending.