At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Catalogue team as a Trainee Product Manager, learning to create and market product ranges.
- Company: ESPO is a public sector organisation focused on procurement, returning surplus to local authorities.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 27 days annual leave, and support for professional development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team with opportunities for growth and a positive social impact.
- Qualifications: A degree (2:2 or above) in a business-related subject and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including underrepresented communities.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 28000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Job Description
Organisation: Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO)
Work Location: Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 1ES
Salary: £25,998 £33,294 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)
Working Hours: Full-time (flexible/hybrid working)
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: Tuesday 5th August 2025
Interview Date(s): scheduled to take place mid-August (convenient dates and time will be agreed with candidates)
If you\’re looking for an exciting opportunity to work within the public sector for an organisation with a commercial edge, then ESPO is the place for you. We are looking for a highly motivated Trainee Product Manager (TPM) to work within our Catalogue team.
ESPO is a publicly owned business offering a professional procurement and supply service to our public sector customers. We make a surplus and return it to our local authority owners to invest in the public services we all rely on. We have ambitious plans for the future and are looking for highly talented people to work on our catalogue team.
About the Role
As a Trainee Product Manager, the successful candidate will work in a busy and progressive, commercially focused team, learning how to create, source, and market product ranges for our public sector customers.
At ESPO, we are committed to learning and development. You will be working in an environment where you will be mentored and supported by experienced colleagues and management. We offer day release for studying the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) professional qualification,n and leave will be provided for pre-examination study and/or the sitting of examinations. Financial assistance will be provided by way of course and examination fees, subject to the Financial Assistance and/or Day Release policy. It is a condition of the post that further study is undertaken to attain the CIPS professional qualification. In addition to this formal study, we also offer ongoing learning through continual professional development.
About You
To apply for this post, you must have:
- A degree (at least 2:2 in preferably in as business-related subject).
And must be able to demonstrate:
- An ability to communicate with customers, suppliers and colleagues verbally and in writing
- Strong analytical and numerical skills and careful attention to detail
- You are able to manage your time effectively to ensure tasks are completed and deadlines are met
- You are competent in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel and are willing to learn to use any in-house software or systems
- You are ambitious and able to deal with pressure and multiple priorities
- You are able to work as part of a team, working towards common goal,s and have an analytical approach to
- A willingness and ability to work flexibly, including outside of office hours as required
We\’d also expect you to share our commitment to our values and will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the interview process.
What we offer:
- Flexible/Hybrid working opportunities and access to employee benefits portal with salary sacrifice car scheme.
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing to 32 after 5 years\’ service), and a scheme to buy additional leave.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Opportunities for learning development through CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
- Great office location next to Fosse Park, with free on-site parking and easy access to M1 and M69.
Interested in Flexible/Hybrid Working?
We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual\’s personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of ESPO. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below. This may include requests for term-time working, part-time hours, compressed hours, flexible start and finish times, home/remote working, etc.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact:
Karrenjit Rai (Category Manager – Catalogue Content)
Email: k.kaurrai@espo.org
How to Apply
ESPO is an inclusive organisation which is on a journey to embed and celebrate equality, diversity, and inclusion at every level. We warmly welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, as having a diverse workforce with different perspectives and ideas is fundamental to our values and enriches the services we offer our customers. We particularly welcome applicants from Ethnically Diverse and LGBTQ+ communities and people with disabilities to create a balanced workforce and one that reflects the customers we serve. Applicants with a disability who meet the criteria listed in the \’About You\’ section above will be offered an interview under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme.
You can learn more about working for ESPO by visiting the Careers section of our website
Careers | Jobs and Opportunities | ESPO
To apply for this job, please click \’Apply Now\’. You will need to upload a supporting statement as part of your application, which explains how you meet the criteria listed in the \’About You\’ section above. For more information, see the How to Apply section on our career site.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post, please contact our Employee Service Centre: https://emss.org.uk/support
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
About Us
About ESPO
We\’re a unique organisation, owned by the public sector and sharing their values and ethos, but operating with a commercial edge. As a specialist procurement body, we pride ourselves on establishing procurement solutions that save money for the public sector. View our prospectus to find out more.
We have modern, open-plan offices with excellent transport links and a friendly workplace environment. We offer flexible working, a generous holiday entitlement, a contributory pension scheme, training (including professional CIPS qualification) and opportunities to develop your career.
ESPO is supported by wide range of roles across many different disciplines including sales, marketing, IT, procurement, finance, operations (warehouse management and transport planning) and customer services. So whether you are interested in a public-facing role or playing your part behind the scenes, ESPO could be the place for you.
To learn more about working for ESPO please visit www.espo.org.
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Trainee Product Manager employer: Leicestershire County Council
Contact Detail:
Leicestershire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Product Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the public sector and procurement processes. Understanding how ESPO operates and the challenges faced by public sector organisations will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of product management and procurement. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with others who can provide insights and potentially refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to product management and analytical skills. Be ready to discuss your experiences and how they relate to the role, showcasing your ability to handle pressure and manage multiple priorities.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning. Mention any relevant courses or certifications you are pursuing, especially those related to procurement or product management, as this aligns with ESPO's values and commitment to professional development.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Product Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Trainee Product Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with what ESPO is looking for.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is crucial. Clearly explain how you meet the criteria listed in the 'About You' section. Use specific examples from your academic or work experience to demonstrate your communication skills, analytical abilities, and teamwork.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Make sure to emphasise your proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, as well as any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your analytical and numerical skills. Mention your willingness to learn new software, as this is important for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects attention to detail, which is essential for a Trainee Product Manager. Consider asking a friend or mentor to review it as well.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leicestershire County Council
✨Research ESPO and Its Values
Before the interview, take some time to understand ESPO's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to public service and how they operate with a commercial edge. This will help you align your answers with their ethos during the interview.
✨Prepare Examples of Teamwork
Since the role requires working as part of a team, think of specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated with others. Be ready to discuss how you contributed to achieving common goals and how you handled any challenges.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Trainee Product Manager, strong analytical skills are crucial. Prepare to discuss instances where you've used these skills in previous roles or projects. Highlight your attention to detail and how it has positively impacted your work.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, be prepared to ask thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and ESPO's future plans. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.