At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement projects and ensure compliance while delivering value for money.
- Company: Join First Choice Homes Oldham, a community-focused housing association.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, a generous pension scheme, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community through impactful procurement services.
- Qualifications: A-Level education and a passion for procurement are essential.
The predicted salary is between 35324 - 35324 £ per year.
Procurement Officer
Location
Oldham
Contract
Permanent
Hours
37 hours per week
Salary
- £35,324.18
- Improving lives in Oldham
- First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has an exciting opportunity for a
Procurement Officer to join our Procurement team and help us deliver high-quality, compliant and value-for-money procurement services that support colleagues across the organisation.
This is an exciting time to join FCHO's procurement team.
Procurement is playing an increasingly important role across the organisation, with a new strategy focused on strengthening commercial capability and strategic decision-making.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to that journey and be a part of shaping the future of procurement at FCHO.
Working closely with the Head of Procurement and Insurance and Procurement Manager, you'll manage a portfolio of lower-value, lower-risk procurement projects whilst supporting more complex procurement exercises.
You'll help ensure procurement activity is compliant with legislation, delivers value for money and contributes to achieving the best outcomes for our customers and communities.
You'll work collaboratively with colleagues across FCHO, providing professional procurement advice, supporting contract management and helping to embed commercial awareness and best practice throughout the organisation.
Please see the full Job Description attached at the bottom of this page.
The impact you'll make
You'll play an important role in ensuring FCHO procures goods, services and works efficiently, transparently and compliantly, helping us achieve better value for money while supporting excellent services for our customers.
You will
- Lead lower-value, lower-risk and less complex procurement projects from sourcing through to contract award.
- Support the Procurement Manager on higher-value, higher-risk and more complex procurement exercises.
- Ensure procurement activity complies with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Procurement Act 2023, organisational policies and governance requirements.
- Prepare procurement documentation, tender packs, evaluation reports, award recommendations and governance documentation.
- Maintain accurate procurement records including the contract register, procurement pipeline, savings tracker and procurement systems.
- Support contract and supplier management activities, helping monitor supplier performance, service delivery and value for money.
- Provide procurement advice and guidance to colleagues, promoting compliant procurement practices across the organisation.
- Carry out market research, benchmarking and supplier analysis to identify procurement opportunities and support continuous improvement.
- Develop knowledge of supplier markets, procurement legislation and best practice, sharing insights with colleagues.
- Produce accurate procurement reporting, management information and data to support governance and audit requirements.
- Use procurement systems and e-tendering platforms to support compliant procurement activity.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of procurement processes, systems and service delivery across FCHO.
- Build positive working relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
- Support wider organisational objectives through professional, customer-focused procurement services.
- Our ideal candidate
You'll be a proactive procurement professional with excellent organisational skills and a passion for delivering value for money through compliant and effective procurement.
You'll enjoy building relationships, managing competing priorities and supporting colleagues to achieve successful procurement outcomes.
You'll have
- Experience of procurement or contract management activities.
- Experience supporting or delivering procurement exercises and tender processes.
- Awareness of procurement processes, legislation and best practice.
- A general understanding of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023.
- Experience working with and influencing internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
- Experience maintaining accurate records, documentation and/or management information.
- Good commercial awareness and analytical skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Excel and Sharepoint.
- The ability to work independently whilst recognising when support or escalation is required.
- A commitment to continuous professional development.
It would also be great if you have
- Experience working within housing, local government or another public sector organisation.
- Experience using e-tendering or procurement systems.
- Knowledge of contract and supplier management principles.
- An understanding of value for money and procurement governance requirements.
- Experience monitoring supplier or contract performance.
- Experience supporting procurement improvement or value for money initiatives.
- Knowledge of framework agreements and collaborative procurement.
- Knowledge of social value and sustainable procurement.
- Experience applying public procurement legislation in practice.
- Awareness of market analysis and benchmarking techniques.
- CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate.
- Working towards, or holding, a CIPS Level 4 Diploma.
Qualifications and requirements
You'll need
- Educated to A-Level standard (or equivalent).
- A willingness to study towards CIPS professional qualifications.
- A commitment to maintaining knowledge of procurement legislation, market developments and best practice.
- A commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and FCHO's organisational values.
Why Join FCHO?
First Choice Homes Oldham is a housing association providing safe, affordable and high-quality homes across Oldham and the surrounding areas.
We own and manage over 11,500 homes and have the highest regulatory (G1/V1) governance rating.
Every day we're proud to make a real difference in our communities.
Our work is guided by our Corporate Plan, focused on providing quality homes, excellent services and thriving communities.
We care deeply about our customers, colleagues and neighbourhoods and are committed to improving lives across Oldham.
What's in it for you?
We offer a fantastic range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance and career development, including:
- A competitive salary.
- A 37-hour working week.
- 30 days' annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
- Option to purchase additional annual leave.
- Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution and salary exchange option.
- Death in service benefit.
- Healthcare cash plan covering dental, optical and physiotherapy treatments.
- Private health insurance.
- Employee Assistance Programme offering 24-hour confidential support.
- Doctorline, giving you and your family 24/7 GP access.
- Access to our colleague benefits platform, including retail discounts and wellbeing tools.
- Discounted gym membership.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and sick pay.
- Long service awards.
Interested?
If you're looking to develop your procurement career within a forward-thinking housing association and want to help deliver compliant, value-for-money procurement that makes a real difference to our customers and communities, we'd love to hear from you.
Please submit your application before Sunday 2nd August 2026
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
We are committed to building an organisation that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
As an equal opportunities employer, FCHO is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective colleagues and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us.
We care that you have a great experience with us at FCHO.
If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments to make your experience smoother, please let us know and we'll do all we can.
The Company
First Choice Homes Oldham , we’re all about being a community anchor organisation and making a positive difference where we work.
Our dedicated team delivers this every day through good quality, affordable homes, excellent services and thriving communities for customers living in our 11,500 homes across Oldham and surrounding boroughs.
We’re a significant employer in the local area and we’re ambitious to grow. We ensure colleagues enjoy working at FCHO, are developed and can build careers for successful futures.
Join us and become a part of a team passionate about providing homes we are proud of and improving lives.
- The Benefits
- 30 days holiday
- Generous pension scheme
- Hybrid working
- Family friendly policies
- Our People
- Chris Goode
- Project Manager, Investment Delivery
"I've had great opportunities to learn and progress by working with internal and external partners to make a real difference to our homes and customers' lives."
- Nazma Hussain
- Contact Centre Advisor
“I enjoy helping our customers and working across teams to provide essential services for their homes.”
- Angelise Johnston
- Apprentice Joiner
- “There are so many opportunities to learn and develop new skills.”
- Documents
Procurement Officer in Oldham employer: First Choice Homes Oldham
First Choice Homes Oldham is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee development and community impact. As the Director of Repairs & Maintenance, you will benefit from a supportive environment that encourages innovation and collaboration, while also enjoying opportunities for professional growth in a role that directly contributes to enhancing the lives of residents in Oldham.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Officer in Oldham
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like First Choice Homes Oldham.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Officer in Oldham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to First Choice Homes Oldham:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to First Choice Homes Oldham. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like First Choice Homes Oldham.
How to prepare for a job interview at First Choice Homes Oldham
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at First Choice Homes Oldham!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at First Choice Homes Oldham. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into First Choice Homes Oldham's culture.