At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive procurement strategies and negotiate contracts to achieve savings and improve supplier performance.
- Company: Join a dynamic public sector team focused on impactful procurement solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public spending while developing your skills in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, contract negotiation, and stakeholder management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
The role is responsible for delivering approved business cases and embedding Southwark's Procurement & Contract Management Target Operating Model. This includes owning category-level delivery, driving commercial outcomes, embedding standard lifecycle processes and governance, and ensuring sustainable savings and performance improvements are realised across third-party spend.
The role will oversee day-to-day implementation, ensuring activities are progressing to plan, issues are addressed quickly and agreed savings and outcomes are delivered. Working closely with services, finance and the central programme team, the Procurement Specialist acts as the key bridge between all stakeholders and senior leadership, maintains pace, tracks progress, manages risks and dependencies, and ensures alignment across all parties involved in delivery. They are also responsible for engaging directly with suppliers to negotiate pricing and for establishing structured contract management meetings in collaboration with the relevant service areas.
Key Responsibilities- Develop and deliver category plans aligned to business cases through the use of spend, market and performance insight whilst aligning delivery to category pipeline and sequencing.
- Deliver assigned business case(s), ensuring agreed outcomes and savings are achieved.
- Turn approved business cases into clear delivery plans with defined action, owner and timelines.
- Track progress against milestones and take corrective action where delivery is off track.
- Ensure consistent delivery across services, avoiding duplication or misalignment between teams.
- Ensure agreed activity complies with council Contract Standing Orders and governance.
- Ensure activity and delivery is aligned to the transformation and development of the Procurement & Contract Management Operating Model.
- Coordinate inputs across services, stakeholders, and programme teams to drive delivery progress.
- Act as the main point of contact between services and the programme, ensuring alignment on priorities, progress, and outcomes.
- Run weekly delivery group stand-ups to review delivery progress, actions, risks, dependencies, decisions required and next steps.
- Attend the fortnightly programme management meeting to provide update on progress and raise cross-cutting risks that need resolving.
- Identify risks, issues, and dependencies early and take action to resolve them.
- Work directly with service leads and the Programme Manager to remove blockers.
- Escalate issues through the appropriate governance routes when needed.
- Highlight cross-cutting risks and resourcing pressures at programme meetings.
- Work closely with Finance to ensure delivery aligns with agreed baselines and financial methodologies.
- Support the tracking and reporting of forecast and validated benefits.
- Work directly with suppliers to negotiate contract terms, pricing, and service arrangements to achieve improved value for money.
- Support the establishment of clear contract management practices, in line with the new Procurement and Contract Management Target Operating Model, including regular performance and review meetings with service areas.
- Monitor supplier performance and work with services to address issues, drive compliance, and identify further savings opportunities.
- Maintain core delivery documents, including plans, milestone trackers, action logs, and risk registers.
- Provide regular, accurate updates on progress, risks, and outcomes.
- Work with service owners to provide clear, accurate, and consistent reporting on delivery progress and outcomes to the SRO and wider Programme Board.
- Keep stakeholders informed on delivery progress and outcomes in a clear, practical way.
- Capture lessons learned and feed them into ongoing delivery to improve ways of working.
- Work with the Director of Commercial and the Head of Procurement to ensure insights and lessons learned from business case implementation are systematically captured and incorporated into the development of the wider Procurement Target Operating Model.
- Programme Manager and Project Support / PMO
- Service Leads and Delivery Teams
- Senior Responsible Owner (SRO)
- Finance Business Partners
- Programme Board and Delivery Governance Forums
- Assistant Director of Change
- Interim Director of Commercial Partnership
- Head of Procurement
- Director of Finance
- Assistant Director of Financial Transformation
- Experience of developing and implementing category strategies.
- Proven experience delivering complex programmes or implementing business cases.
- Significant commercial and procurement experience, with a strong understanding of sourcing, supplier management and contract negotiation within a public sector of similarly complex environment.
- Demonstrable experience delivering savings from third-party spend, including negotiating with external suppliers to achieve cost reductions and improved value for money.
- Experience working with procurement processes, category management approaches and contract management frameworks.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across multiple levels.
- Experience working with financial tracking, benefits realisation, and governance frameworks.
- Ability to manage risk, resolve issues, and maintain delivery pace in a complex environment.
- Excellent organisational, communication, and leadership skills.
- Knowledge of Procurement Act 2023 and Public Sector Governance.
- Delivery of validated savings and benefits.
- Adoption of standard processes and governance.
- Improved contract performance and supplier outcomes.
- Timely delivery against programme milestones.
- Increased visibility of spend and performance.
Specialist Procurement Advisor employer: Job Switch
As a Specialist Procurement Advisor at Southwark, you will thrive in a dynamic work environment that prioritises collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous professional development opportunities and a supportive culture that values your contributions. Located in the heart of Southwark, we offer a unique chance to make a meaningful impact on public sector procurement while enjoying a vibrant community and diverse workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Procurement Advisor
✨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 Job Switch.
✨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 Specialist Procurement Advisor
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 Job Switch:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Job Switch. 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 Job Switch.
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Switch
✨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 Job Switch!
✨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 Job Switch. 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 Job Switch's culture.
