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- Tasks: Lead procurement for police operations, ensuring value for money and effective supplier relationships.
- Company: Join the 7 Force Collaboration, the second largest police procurement collective in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, potential for remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in public service while working in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: CIPS Level 5 or equivalent experience in public sector procurement is required.
- Other info: Location flexible across East of England; security vetting required.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 47000 ÂŁ per year.
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7F Procurement Specialist for Operations and Community Services (Location Dependent on appointment)
Location of Role: To be confirmed
Advert Closing Date: 18/08/2025
Starting Salary: ÂŁ40,170.00(pro-rata for part-time vacancies)
Part/Full Time:Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Mon-Fri
East of England (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk). This collaboration is responsible for third party spend of approximately ÂŁ230m per annum, making the 7 Force Collaboration the second largest police procurement collective after the Metropolitan Police.
The 7 Force Commercial Services Function are looking for a Procurement Specialist to lead and deliver on âTactical Acquisitionâ & âTactical Profitâ procurements within the Operations & Community Services Category team across the 7 Police Forces, and all strategic Contract Management & Supplier Relationship activity, within the allocated category, with a view to securing better value for money from contractual arrangements and ensuring the contracted benefits are delivered.
The post holder must have the ability to interact with all senior level management and represent the 7 Forces as a collective or individually, where necessary.
They must have the gravitas to influence external bodies such as the Home Office, Crown Commercial Services, Police Digital Service and BlueLight Commercial and participate, as appropriate, on nationally led initiatives, providing opinion, guidance and shaping future offerings.
The post holder must also be able to interact with budget holders and operational contract owners in the 7 Forces, ensuring the procurement pipeline accurately reflects business need priorities.
The post holder will be ideally educated to CIPS Level 5 in-line with the CIPS structure guidance or be able to clearly evidence equivalent levels of experience, technical knowledge and expertise by having worked as a Procurement professional for a complex, public-sector organisation.
The postholder for this role will be employed by 7 Forces Commercial Services, but the base location of the postholder could be within any of the seven police forces listed above (i.e. local to you) and is therefore open to candidates across all regions.
The Vetting level required for this post is Management MV and Security Clearance. Candidates will be required to undertake the appropriate level security vetting checks, which will include the requirement to have lived in the UK for the past three years (RV) or five years (MV) from the date of your application.
Kent Policeoffer incremental increases within this salary band, therefore the salary for this position will rise to a maximum ofÂŁ47,709.00.
Kent Police and Essex Police have separate salary grading systems therefore the salary for this position will be dependent on which home office force you are appointed to. This will be discussed with the successful applicant before a final offer is made.
Your application for this role will be shortlisted on the content you provide within the âreason for applicationâ question, within the application form itself. CVâs, covering letters or attachments are not included in the shortlist. Within your âreason for applicationâ answer, please refer to any experience, skills, and abilities you feel you have that will make you suitable for this role, based on the role criteria stated in the job advert or job description. Please provide as much detail as possible as insufficient content may mean you do not meet the shortlisting criteria, however please note this question is limited to 9000 characters and this system will count spaces and blank lines as characters. This count may differ from the Microsoft Word word count function therefore you may wish to use a different online character counter to check the characters used.
All of our posts require a level of vetting and security clearance. During the recruitment process you will be sent vetting information forms to complete.
Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.
Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process, or for further information regarding this position, please email us at recruitment.business.services@ecis.police.uk stating âApplication Support and Adjustmentsâ in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833.
Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.
If youâre not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain.
If youâre from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesnât apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.
Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.
Essex Police is a Disability Confident Leader, we:
- have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to externalchallenge and validation
- are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping otheremployers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusionare central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.
Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.
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7F Procurement Specialist for Operations and Community Services (Location Dependent on appointment) employer: Essex Police and Kent Police
Contact Detail:
Essex Police and Kent Police Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land 7F Procurement Specialist for Operations and Community Services (Location Dependent on appointment)
â¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific procurement processes used within public sector organisations, especially in police forces. Understanding how these processes work will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and discussions.
â¨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field, particularly those who have experience in public sector roles. Attend relevant events or join online forums to gain insights and potentially get referrals that could strengthen your application.
â¨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with contract management and supplier relationships in detail. Be ready to provide examples of how you've secured value for money in previous roles, as this is a key aspect of the job.
â¨Tip Number 4
Research the 7 Force Collaboration and understand their current procurement challenges and priorities. Tailoring your application to show how you can address these issues will make you stand out as a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace 7F Procurement Specialist for Operations and Community Services (Location Dependent on appointment)
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Procurement Specialist position. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Craft Your Reason for Application: Since the shortlisting is based on the 'reason for application' question, ensure you provide a detailed response. Highlight relevant experiences, skills, and abilities that demonstrate your suitability for the role. Use specific examples to illustrate your points.
Character Count Awareness: Be mindful of the 9000 character limit for your application response. Use an online character counter to check your text before submission, as the system counts spaces and blank lines as characters. This will help you stay within the limit while providing comprehensive information.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have CIPS Level 5 or equivalent experience, make sure to mention this clearly in your application. Discuss any relevant procurement experience in public-sector organisations, as this is crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex Police and Kent Police
â¨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Procurement Specialist within the Operations and Community Services category. Familiarise yourself with tactical acquisition and profit procurement processes, as well as the importance of securing value for money in contracts.
â¨Showcase Relevant Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in procurement, especially in public-sector organisations. Highlight any specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage supplier relationships and contract management effectively.
â¨Demonstrate Communication Skills
Since the role requires interaction with senior management and external bodies, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be ready to provide examples of how you've influenced stakeholders or navigated complex discussions in the past.
â¨Prepare for Security Vetting Questions
Given the vetting requirements for this position, be prepared to answer questions about your residency in the UK and any relevant background checks. Familiarise yourself with the vetting process to show that you understand its importance in this role.