At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage exciting procurement projects and collaborate with various teams to deliver value.
- Company: Join Leicester City Council, a dynamic Mayoral Authority making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive work-life balance.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth and coaching junior team members in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that improves lives across Leicester while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or transferable skills; strong communication and analytical abilities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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Full Time / 37 Hours Per Week / Permanent
What you\'ll be doing
Joining our procurement team at Leicester City Council, you\'ll become part of a fast-paced highly dynamic Mayoral Authority, procuring a whole host of important and interesting contracts for goods works and services across a range of sectors.
With roles available across our team due to career progressions, there is an opportunity to join our team as a Procurement Officer or Senior Procurement Officer.
Day to day, within these roles you\'ll:
- Undertake and/or be involved in managing a variety of procurement projects including liaising with service departments).
- Consider procurement strategies/approaches and plan the procurement process.
- Prepare relevant procurement documentation (including evaluation schemes), advertise the contracts, carry out market engagements, manage evaluation of submissions, conduct tender clarifications.
- Draft correspondence, prepare evaluation reports, manage communications with bidders.
- Apply the Council\'s contract procedure rules and appropriate legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023, when conducting procurement activity and advising clients.
- Liaise with legal services to agree contract documentation.
As a senior team member you\'ll also:
- Undertake procurement activity more independently including higher value/higher complexity.
- Deputise for the Procurement Manager as and when required.
- Provide expert advice on procurement strategies/approaches, project management support and planning the procurement process and respond to queries.
- Manage communications with preferred suppliers, working with users and technical and legal specialists to draft contracts and technical schedules developing acceptance procedures and criteria.
- Coach, support and supervise junior members of the team, playing an active role in their growth and progression. This includes providing guidance on best practices, sharing technical knowledge, offering constructive feedback and helping them build the skills and confidence needed to succeed within the procurement function.
What you\'ll need
Public Sector procurement experience is preferred but equivalent Private Sector experience and transferable skills are accepted. You\'ll have knowledge and experience relevant to a specific category specialism, e.g., Goods, Works and Services, including Procurement Act 2023 training (TPP) or commitment to complete this within 4 weeks of starting.
Using your experience of procurement, tendering and contract management processes, as well as basic knowledge of contract law. You\'ll be highly organised, with the ability to prioritise time and objectives effectively. With strong analytical skills with ability to review information presented within tender responses and evaluations to identify the best value.
In addition, you\'ll have excellent communication skills, ability to present statistical or technical reports and liaise with both internal and external stakeholders. Including, proficient IT skills, ability to use and manage our IT tendering systems for advertising contracts.
About the role
You\'ll have flexibility in hybrid working being both office based, at City Hall or working remotely from home to suit your needs and those of your clients. The team currently attends City Hall for a minimum of 1 day a week, where you will join them.
This is a career graded post procurement officer at LG Band 6 £32,061 - £34,434 Per Year and Senior procurement officer at LG Band 9 £42,839 - £46,142 Per Year. Appointment to a level will depend on the outcome of the selection process and experience of the successful candidate. Dependent on availability of work/vacancy at a higher level, progress will be by satisfactory performance, agreed at annual Appraisals and through ongoing supervision.
The roles are subject to a DBS check and Right to Work check. We are unable to offer sponsorship with this role.
What we can offer you
As well as the satisfaction of helping to improve thousands of lives across Leicester, you can look forward to a work environment that encourages a healthy work/life balance. You\'ll enjoy generous annual leave, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and the option of flexible working.
In addition, you can choose from several flexible benefits, including discounts on city buses. For an illustrative value of your benefits package, take a look at our benefits calculator.
Join us
We\'re committed to recruiting a diverse and highly talented workforce as we continue to build a council that is fitting and representative of our great city. That\'s why we\'ve designed our recruitment process to put you at your ease, make you feel welcome and bring the best out of you. We\'ll do all we can to make our recruitment process as fair as possible. To help you with your application, take a look at the \'our approach to recruitment\' page.
For an informal discussion, please contact: amina.laher@leicester.gov.uk
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Procurement Officer and Senior Procurement Officer in Leicester employer: Leicester City Council
Leicester City Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises a healthy work-life balance and offers flexible working arrangements, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. With generous annual leave, membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme, and opportunities for career progression within a supportive team environment, you'll find meaningful work that directly impacts the lives of thousands in Leicester. Join us in a dynamic setting where your contributions are valued, and you can grow alongside a diverse and talented workforce.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Officer and Senior Procurement Officer in Leicester
✨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 Leicester City Council.
✨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 and Senior Procurement Officer in Leicester
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 Leicester City Council:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Leicester City Council. 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 Leicester City Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leicester City Council
✨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 Leicester City Council!
✨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 Leicester City Council. 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 Leicester City Council's culture.
