At a Glance
- Tasks: Support schools with finance, payments, and budget analysis.
- Company: Flexible and supportive local authority organisation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive hours, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in school finance while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with school funding and finance systems is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
6-7 months contract with a local authority.
Job Purpose
This position has come about as a consequence of more schools purchasing support from the LA. The successful candidate will be expected to support a range of schools based on the individual support the school has purchased. The focus is purely finance – not the wider role that SBMs normally have e.g. health and safety.
Key Duties/Accountabilities
- Transactional support – payments, month end reconciliation, VAT submittal.
- Strategic support – analysis of budgets and spend, including reporting to Governing Body and/or headteachers.
- Supporting the school to develop Deficit recovery plans.
- Implementing of new finance systems - training.
- Ability to deal with difficult and challenging situations in a professional manner.
- Clear and concise communication skills – both written and oral.
- Able to engage with stakeholders using persuasive language, not confrontational.
- Ability to work under pressure, juggling various priorities and timelines.
Essential Experience Required
- Experience with Schools Funding, ability to engage with and influence Heads and Governors with quality information and data for decision making is essential.
- Expertise in at least one of the following systems – ACCESS, RM, Sims/FMS is essential.
- Experience with national policy affecting funding in schools is essential.
Essential Qualification Required
- Educated to graduate level or equivalent, with management qualification or equivalent experience is desirable.
- Degree level or equivalent qualification in Building Construction/Maintenance or contract management is desirable.
Additional information to note
- Working hours: 35 hours per week.
- Hybrid working: there will be opportunities to work from school and from home.
- The length of the role is dependent on the continuation of the schools purchasing of our services.
- The role requires a DBS.
- The closing date for this position is 5th May 2025.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchase Ledger Specialist- Highly Successful, Flexible And Supportive Organisation. in Manchester
✨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 Purchase Ledger Specialist- Highly Successful, Flexible And Supportive Organisation. in Manchester
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 Exact Sourcing 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, Exact Sourcing 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 Exact Sourcing 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 Exact Sourcing 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 Exact Sourcing
✨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.
