At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of procurement processes using Oracle Fusion Cloud.
- Company: Join Dorset Council's innovative ERP Transformation Programme.
- Benefits: Earn £600 a day with flexible hybrid working arrangements.
- Other info: Opportunity for ongoing professional development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local governance and modernise procurement practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement transformation and ERP implementation is essential.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Dorset Council is undertaking a major transformation programme to replace its legacy SAP system with Oracle Fusion Cloud. This programme represents not only a technology change but a fundamental opportunity to modernise the Council's Commissioning and Procurement operating model.
Historically, procurement processes have evolved around system constraints, local practices, and service-specific workarounds. The transition to Oracle Fusion provides a strategic opportunity to standardise processes, strengthen governance, improve compliance with Public Contracts Regulations, and embed stronger financial and commercial controls across the organisation.
To realise these benefits, Dorset Council requires dedicated senior transformation leadership focused specifically on Procurement and Commissioning. Without this role, there is a material risk that legacy SAP processes are replicated within Oracle, limiting improvement, weakening control, and undermining the Council's Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) savings assumptions.
The Procurement Transformation Lead will ensure that the ERP implementation drives genuine business transformation, delivering sustainable improvements in compliance, transparency, value for money, and commercial maturity across Dorset Council.
1. Role Purpose
The Procurement Transformation Lead is responsible for leading the end-to-end transformation of Dorset Council's Commissioning and Procurement operating model as part of the ERP Transformation Programme migrating from SAP to Oracle Fusion Cloud. The role ensures sustainable process redesign, governance strengthening, data integrity, and successful adoption across the Council.
2. Key Responsibilities
- Operating Model Design: Define the future-state Procurement and Commissioning operating model aligned to Oracle Fusion. Clarify roles across sourcing, category management, commissioning, contract management and P2P. Ensure alignment with Public Contracts Regulations and Council financial regulations.
- Process Simplification & Standardisation: Redesign requisitioning, approvals, supplier onboarding and contract lifecycle processes. Eliminate SAP legacy workarounds and shadow systems. Drive adoption of standard Oracle-enabled processes.
- Governance, Compliance & Risk: Strengthen procurement governance and internal controls. Own procurement risk register within ERP programme. Provide assurance on procurement readiness for go-live.
- Data & Systems Enablement: Oversee cleansing of supplier, contract and commitment data. Approve procurement data migration rules. Ensure alignment between procurement design and finance controls.
- Change & Adoption Leadership: Lead stakeholder engagement across services. Support training and business readiness activities. Embed post-go-live continuous improvement.
- Benefits Realisation: Define measurable procurement transformation benefits. Track and report benefits aligned to the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).
3. Programme Phase Skill Mapping
- Mobilisation & Discovery: Stakeholder engagement, current state assessment, risk identification. Map existing commissioning & procurement processes; identify SAP pain points. Establish credibility; define transformation vision.
- Design Phase: Operating model design, Oracle procurement knowledge, governance alignment. Define future-state processes; align approvals & controls to Oracle best practice. Act as Procurement Design Authority; challenge legacy complexity.
- Build & Configuration: Functional validation, data migration oversight, compliance assurance. Validate configuration aligns with operating model; oversee supplier & contract data cleansing. Escalate misalignment risks early.
- Testing (SIT & UAT): End-to-end P2P testing, defect prioritisation, reconciliation awareness. Ensure realistic commissioning & procurement test scenarios. Protect compliance & financial control outcomes.
- Cutover & Go-Live: Readiness assessment, risk sign-off, governance reporting. Validate open commitments, supplier readiness, delegated authority controls. Advise Programme Director on procurement go-live confidence.
- Hypercare & Optimisation: Performance monitoring, benefits tracking, continuous improvement. Embed compliance improvements; track maverick spend reduction. Drive long-term procurement maturity.
4. Person Specification
Essential Experience: Senior leadership experience in Procurement & Commissioning. Experience leading procurement transformation within Local Government or public sector. ERP implementation experience (SAP and/or Oracle). Strong knowledge of Public Contracts Regulations and governance requirements. Experience working at Executive or Cabinet level.
Desirable Experience: Direct SAP to Oracle Fusion transition experience. Experience in Local Authority commissioning environments. Knowledge of Oracle Fusion Procurement module.
5. Success Measures
- Improved procurement compliance rates.
- Reduced maverick spend.
- Strengthened audit confidence.
- Successful Oracle-enabled process adoption.
- Achievement of procurement-related MTFP savings.
6. Governance & Authority
The postholder will act as Procurement Lead within the ERP Programme, approve procurement process design, recommend go-live readiness, and escalate risks to the ERP Programme Director, Corporate Director All Age Commissioning and Section 151 Officer as required.
ERP Procurement Functional Lead in Dorchester employer: Connect2Dorset
Connect2Dorset is an exceptional employer that prioritises ethical practices and community impact, making it a rewarding place to work. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to thrive in a supportive environment while contributing to meaningful projects within the local authority. The opportunity to lead significant transformation initiatives in the picturesque setting of Dorchester adds unique value to this role, fostering both professional and personal fulfilment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ERP Procurement Functional Lead in Dorchester
✨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 ERP Procurement Functional Lead in Dorchester
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 Connect2Dorset 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, Connect2Dorset 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 Connect2Dorset 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 Connect2Dorset 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 Connect2Dorset
✨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.
