At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement activities for highways, managing contracts and sourcing solutions.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a top UK authority impacting 1.4 million residents.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 27 days leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunity for leadership development and cross-training in various procurement areas.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in infrastructure and climate change while growing your career.
- Qualifications: A levels or equivalent experience; knowledge of procurement legislation required.
The predicted salary is between 29236 - 34818 € per year.
Fixed Term, 2-year contract
Full Time, 37 hours per week
£35,295 to £41,523 per annum plus Flexible Working & Local Gov Pension
Location: Chelmsford / Hybrid Working
Style: Anywhere worker - expectation to attend the office (County Hall, Chelmsford) is typically once to twice a week based around business needs
Closing Date: 13th July 2025
Do you want to make a difference to real people and real lives? Do you want to be a part of helping to shape the future of our Procurement service at Essex County Council (ECC)? Did you know that ECC spends c£1.2 billion per annum on 3rd party commissioned services, making it the 2nd largest spending Authority in the UK? The Procurement Team at ECC are award-winning and support the organisation to deliver services to 1.4 million residents. We aim to lead the profession on initiatives such as social value, climate action through procurement, and supporting our Levelling Up Agenda.
This role involves sourcing, category, and contract management, managing procurement activities up to c.£50 million per annum. The successful candidate will handle end-to-end procurement, including sourcing for tenders, contract change control, and managing tier 1 suppliers. Excellent stakeholder skills at all levels, a positive attitude, and the ability to work independently are essential. A good understanding of procurement legislation and its application to achieve ECC's outcomes is also required. The role will focus on procurement within the Highways category, including sourcing activities. You will join an established team and may develop into a leadership role, including line management responsibilities. This is a great opportunity within a vibrant, inclusive culture that values your opinion and offers career progression.
Benefits include:
- Flexible working arrangements
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Excellent benefits package including Local Authority Pension Scheme
- Training pathways and professional development support towards CIPS / MCIPS
- Opportunity to cross-train in different procurement areas
- Being part of the UK's largest Local Authority Procurement Team with a national reputation
- Continuous service benefits from previous local authority employment
Join us to make a difference in infrastructure, climate change, adult social care, and more, transforming Essex into a circular economy.
Accountabilities:
- Lead category strategies aligned with commissioning objectives.
- Manage project workstreams and tenders, ensuring legislative compliance.
- Develop innovative sourcing solutions to improve service and reduce costs.
- Advise stakeholders on contractual and procurement matters.
- Assess market options and explore opportunities with suppliers.
- Identify and mitigate contractual, commercial, and market risks.
- Collaborate internally and externally to implement best practices.
- Promote continuous improvement and best practice in procurement processes.
- Maintain updated policies, procedures, and workflows.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
- Educated to A level with relevant professional qualification (e.g., MCIPS) or equivalent experience.
- Experience in category management and managing strategic contracts.
- Proven track record of delivering cost and service improvements.
- Knowledge of contract law and legislation relevant to procurement.
- Extensive negotiation skills for multi-million pound contracts.
- Understanding of working in a political environment.
Why Essex? Essex offers a dynamic environment serving over 1.8 million residents. We focus on transformational change, productivity, and innovation, with flexible working options. Recognised for excellence, we are committed to inclusion and community impact.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, committed to inclusive recruitment and support for disabled applicants, veterans, and care leavers. We promote integrity and uphold the Nolan principles, maintaining a positive workplace. Employment includes benefits like support for unpaid carers and flexible working.
A DBS check may be required, with annual renewal via the DBS update service.
Apply through the Working for Essex website, providing an updated CV and supporting statement. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare and expect all staff to share this commitment. Join the Essex Talent Community for updates on opportunities, news, and events.
For queries, contact resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
Procurement Assistant Manager (Highways) in Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council (ECC) is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that values your contributions while providing ample opportunities for professional growth. With flexible working arrangements, a generous benefits package including a Local Authority Pension Scheme, and the chance to be part of the UK's largest Local Authority Procurement Team, ECC empowers its employees to make a meaningful impact on the lives of over 1.4 million residents. Join us in shaping the future of procurement and driving transformational change in Essex.
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Assistant Manager (Highways) in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest procurement legislation and best practices, especially those relevant to highways. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement sector, particularly those who have experience in local government or highways. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and may even lead to valuable referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed contracts or improved procurement processes in your previous roles. Highlighting your achievements will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of social value and climate action initiatives in procurement. Being able to articulate how these concepts apply to the role will resonate well with the values of Essex County Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Assistant Manager (Highways) in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, particularly in category management and contract negotiation. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage multi-million pound contracts and deliver cost improvements.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement:In your supporting statement, address the key responsibilities outlined in the job description. Discuss your understanding of procurement legislation and how you have successfully implemented best practices in previous roles.
Showcase Stakeholder Skills:Emphasise your excellent stakeholder management skills. Provide examples of how you've effectively collaborated with various stakeholders to achieve procurement objectives, especially in a political environment.
Highlight Continuous Improvement Initiatives:Mention any initiatives you've led or contributed to that focused on continuous improvement in procurement processes. This could include innovative sourcing solutions or strategies that align with social value and climate action.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Procurement Assistant Manager, especially in the Highways category. Familiarise yourself with the key accountabilities mentioned in the job description, such as managing procurement activities and developing innovative sourcing solutions.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Since excellent stakeholder skills are essential for this role, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed relationships with various stakeholders. Highlight how you communicated effectively and resolved any conflicts that arose.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Procurement Legislation
Brush up on procurement legislation relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you have applied this knowledge in previous positions, particularly in ensuring compliance during procurement processes and managing contracts.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and negotiation skills. Think of specific instances where you had to negotiate multi-million-pound contracts or mitigate risks, and be prepared to explain your thought process and outcomes.
