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- Tasks: Join our team to manage diverse procurement projects and build customer relationships.
- Company: Orbis Procurement partners with local councils to deliver strategic procurement services.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 23 days annual leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a journey towards procurement excellence and make a real impact in local communities.
- Qualifications: Previous procurement experience is ideal but not essential; we welcome diverse commercial backgrounds.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; some travel to other offices may be required.
Are you looking for an opportunity to join a forward thinking, flexible and supportive Procurement team, where you can build on your Procurement career? If so, we have some exciting opportunities for you.
Due to its successful track record, Orbis partnership is hiring Senior Sourcing Specialists to join their Sourcing Solutions Team. These roles will focus on providing procurement expertise, strong customer relationships skills and procurement project management knowledge.
The Senior Sourcing Specialist is a versatile role. Managing a range of procurement projects from the Procurement Hub across diverse services and supporting the existing team where required. Successful delivery of the role means supporting effective and efficient procurement solutions for the Hub and developing procurement skills.
Orbis Procurement is a shared services partnership between East Sussex County Council, Surrey County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council, delivering a strategic procurement service to the partners and a range of District and Borough Councils. Orbis Procurement manages a third party spend of more than ÂŁ1.8bn with external suppliers, procuring everything from software to social care services, cleaning products to sports equipment. Above all, we aim to be a centre for procurement excellence by ensuring that we manage public money in a way people trust and deliver better value from our contracts in a responsible way.
The Sourcing Solutions & Strategic Procurement Teams in East Sussex, Surrey and Brighton & Hove work closely together, sharing knowledge, expertise and resource to best service our customerâs needs.
We are looking for candidates who:
- Are committed to delivering great customer service
- Are pro-active, show initiative and offer innovative ideas for improvements
- Are able to plan and organise their work effectively
- Want to contribute to providing high-quality public services across the South-East
- Has communication skills
Previous experience in procurement is ideal but not essential and we welcome applications from people with a range of commercial experience. The successful candidate is expected to be aware of the implications of working within a public sector environment and how this affects purchasing strategies and practices
In Orbis Procurement, our values and behaviours are just as important as our skills and abilities.
To apply for this role, please follow the âApply Nowâ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.
Please download the Job Description & Person Specification for more information.
Interviews will be held in person at County Hall, Lewes within two weeks of the closing date.
Customer focus is at the heart of what we do. We aim to be influential in the market, deliver professional procurement and commercial expertise and support our partners – making a real difference to the services we provide to our residents and making a real impact on local communities.
\”We are on a journey to become a centre of procurement excellence in Local Government with an ambition to power up procurement to deliver real and sustainable impact for our residentsâ. – Darron Cox, Director of Orbis Procurement.
If you would like to be part of this journey, we look forward to receiving your application.
Our administrative bases are in Lewes (County Hall), in Reigate (Woodhatch Place) and in Hove Town Hall. Some travel to the other offices is required from time to time. We support a hybrid working approach, which means youâre able to be flexible in location. Typically, youâd be expected to be in the office one or two days a week, with a focus around business needs.
To arrange an informal discussion, please contact Maura Collyer, PMO Specialist by email at maura.collyer@eastsussex.gov.uk
Senior Sourcing Solutions Specialist employer: East Sussex County Council
Contact Detail:
East Sussex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Senior Sourcing Solutions Specialist
â¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the public sector procurement landscape. Understanding how public money is managed and the implications of procurement strategies in this environment will give you a significant edge during interviews.
â¨Tip Number 2
Highlight your customer service skills. Since the role emphasises great customer relationships, be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've successfully managed client expectations or improved service delivery.
â¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your project management experience. Even if it's not directly in procurement, any experience managing projects can demonstrate your ability to plan and organise effectively, which is crucial for this role.
â¨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss innovative ideas for improvements. The team values proactivity and creativity, so think about how you can contribute to enhancing procurement processes and be prepared to share your thoughts during the interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sourcing Solutions Specialist
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description and person specification. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills for the Senior Sourcing Solutions Specialist role, so you can tailor your application accordingly.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: Your Supporting Statement is crucial for shortlisting. Address how you meet each criterion in the person specification, using specific examples from your work or life experience that demonstrate your skills and commitment to customer service.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Even if you don't have direct procurement experience, highlight any relevant commercial experience. Discuss transferable skills such as project management, customer relationship management, and your ability to innovate and improve processes.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and Supporting Statement. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your documents are clear and professional. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at East Sussex County Council
â¨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Senior Sourcing Solutions Specialist. Familiarise yourself with procurement processes and how they apply to public sector environments, as this will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
â¨Showcase Customer Service Skills
Since customer focus is crucial for this role, prepare examples that highlight your ability to deliver excellent customer service. Think about situations where you've gone above and beyond to meet client needs or resolve issues.
â¨Demonstrate Initiative and Innovation
Be ready to discuss times when you've proactively identified problems and suggested innovative solutions. This will show your potential employer that you're not just a follower but someone who can contribute to improvements in procurement practices.
â¨Prepare Your Supporting Statement
Your Supporting Statement is key to getting shortlisted. Make sure it clearly addresses how you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Use specific examples from your work or life experience to illustrate your points.
