Procurement Support Officer (Full Time) in Chelmsford

Salary: £25,959 to £28,621 per annum + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension

Location: Colchester, Essex

Job Type: Full Time

This role will be filled on a hybrid basis. This means you can work remotely part of the working week with an expectation to attend the office at least 1 day per week. Any journeys to the office would be at your own expense.

The Procurement Support Officer is our entry level role and is a great starting point for those completely new to procurement. You will play a role in supporting the Procurement function across a broad range of activities, within the procurement team. The role will contribute to the effective delivery of projects related to all county council services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and responding to supplier and contractor enquiries.
• Supporting market engagement and pre-market activities.
• Providing contract administration across projects.
• Assisting with lower-value sourcing, tendering, and contract management tasks, ensuring compliance with procurement regulations and framework governance.
• Producing research and analysis to inform category strategies, including supply chain insights, cost analysis, and opportunities for improved supplier or framework performance.
• Identifying ways to streamline processes, reduce waste, and introduce technologies or automation where possible.

Success in the role will rely on strong analytical skills and the ability to explore alternative solutions that meet stakeholder needs across construction, development, and housing delivery projects. This is an excellent opportunity for someone wanting to build specialist expertise in public-sector procurement while supporting meaningful development programmes across Essex.

Accountabilities:

• Manage responses to supplier queries, co-ordinating the support to market engagement events and providing contract administration.
• Lead on the delivery and development of contract and supplier amendment and update processes.
• Manage contracts to ensure that performance standards are achieved and any contractual, commercial or market risks are identified and appropriate mitigations put in place.
• Deal effectively with supplier correspondence, ensuring that messaging is conducted in a fair, transparent and auditable manner.
• Lead the delivery of low risk sourcing processes, ensuring compliance with the Authority's Procurement Policy and Procedures.
• Lead the development, planning, and delivery of improvement projects, ensuring effective stakeholder management and compliance with existing contractual requirements.
• Adopt a continuous improvement approach to systems and processes to support the development of best practice for wider department benefit.
• Plan and implement a risk-based programme of contract compliance audits.

The Experience You Will Bring:

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrates a positive and proactive approach, with a strong work ethic and a 'can-do' attitude.
• Problem-solving mindset, with the ability to explore alternative solutions that meet internal customer needs.
• Detail-focused, with a strong commitment to accuracy, compliance, and auditability.
• Strong relationship-building skills, able to work collaboratively with colleagues across capital delivery, housing development, and project management teams.

Desirable Criteria:

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, with solid working knowledge of PowerPoint and Word.
• Studying for, or willing to study for, CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) accreditation.
• Experience of running low-value tenders, with a working knowledge of public sector procurement law.
• Experience in managing lower-value contracts, monitoring performance, and mitigating risks.