Procurement Administrator

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a highly organised and detail-oriented Procurement Administrator to support the procurement function within Harris Federation. This role is essential in ensuring that all goods and services are sourced efficiently, cost-effectively, and in compliance with public sector procurement regulations and institutional policies.

You will play a key role in supporting the procurement team by ensuring timely delivery of resources and services, providing administrative support and having responsibility for procurement processes and policies.

WORKING WITH US

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.

We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.

To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the Why Work For Us page.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Your responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining procurement filing systems, records and SharePoint resources
• Managing supplier registrations on the e-tendering portal
• Coordinating information requests and stakeholder communications
• Processing purchase orders, reconciling invoices and supporting timely payments
• Managing allocated procurement categories and supplier relationships
• Producing procurement reports, spend analysis and management information
• Providing administrative support, including calendar management and document administration
• Organising supplier meetings, presentations and procurement events
• Responding to procurement enquiries from internal and external stakeholders
• Supporting academies with purchasing requests, benchmarking exercises and obtaining quotations
• Maintaining procurement calendars, contract renewals and tender deadlines
• Coordinating supplier performance review meetings
• Managing procurement mailboxes and communicationsMaintaining and updating procurement intranet pages

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• A high level of computer literacy with practical knowledge and application of all Microsoft Office applications
• English and Maths GCSEs at Grade C or above
• A-Level / BTEC / HND or equivalent/similar with demonstrable experience of an office environment
• Experience in a procurement or administrative role
• Experience working with SharePoint
• Ability to analyse data and generate reports
• Experience working with purchase orders, suppliers, and financial systems.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• An effective communicator, verbally and in writing with excellent numerical skills.
• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Excellent telephone manner and presentation of professional image
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure and ensure deadlines are met
• Ability to organise and prioritise workload and work on own initiative
• Commitment to delivering excellent level of professional customer service

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:

• Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
• Annual loyalty bonus
• Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
• 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
• Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
• Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
• Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
• 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
• Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans

For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.