At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our procurement team to enhance public sector services and manage exciting projects.
- Company: North Northamptonshire Council, committed to transforming local services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with support for diverse backgrounds and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills in procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care procurement and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
About The Role
North Northamptonshire Council are looking to recruit a Procurement Officer to join our procurement team, working in the People Services Category. The candidates appointed to the roles will be an essential part of the team delivering procurement activity on behalf of the Council.
We Are Looking For Candidates That Can Demonstrate:
- Some procurement experience in any social care sector (education, children's, social care, public health) and knowledge of procurement processes, including tendering.
- Enthusiasm for working in procurement and a willingness to learn about public sector procurement.
- Good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders including those in senior roles.
- Good general IT skills and the ability to learn new systems quickly.
- Ability to manage a number of different projects and tasks at the same time.
The successful candidate will report to a Procurement Manager and will benefit from being a part of an experienced and knowledgeable team. The role will be based initially from Cedar Drive, Thrapston and then Haylock House, Kettering.
If you wish to have an informal discussion please call Susan Trowers 07787273745. We may close the vacancy earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered for the role.
What will you be doing?
The remit of the Procurement Team is to develop the Council-wide procurement policy and strategy and provide professional expertise and support to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement of goods, works and services for North Northamptonshire Council and The Northamptonshire Childrens Trust. The Team provides expert advice and support service to all front-line departments in addition to letting and managing a range of corporate contracts on behalf of all departments. The Procurement remit is to transform the way the Council and the Trust procures goods and services and to develop innovative procurement strategies and e-procurement solutions that will enable more efficient processes, improved service specific contracts and a suite of common corporate contracts.
About You
- Good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders including those in senior roles.
- Computer literate to intermediate level in Word, Excel, MS Project (planner) and Power Point with knowledge of procurement electronic systems such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning).
- Ability to liaise with stakeholders both internal and external, Procurement clients, customers and 3rd parties.
- Evidence of being able to provide professional advice, support and guidance.
- Enthusiasm for working in procurement and a willingness to learn about public sector procurement.
Our Benefits
Here at North Northamptonshire Council, we’re transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people. You’ll find that we have a wide range of careers that may be more surprising than you think!
Why Choose Us?
- We offer a vibrant working environment with a competitive salary.
- A pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
- Lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council.
- Generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work-life balance.
- We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups.
About Us
Our Values and Behaviours: Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive, Trustworthy. Our key commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most.
Disability Confident Employer
We are proud to be a recognised Disability Confident Employer and are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. Our Employment and Disability Service provides bespoke support to individuals facing barriers to employment, helping them work towards their goals to start, stay and succeed in employment.
For further information please click here: The Employment and Disability Service (EADS) | North Northamptonshire Council.
Armed Forces Community
The council obtained the Gold status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). Further information can be found at Jobs and careers | North Northamptonshire Council.
Procurement Officer - Fixed Term in Thrapston employer: North Northamptonshire Council
Contact Detail:
North Northamptonshire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Officer - Fixed Term in Thrapston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the procurement field, especially those who work in social care. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights and even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your procurement knowledge. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and challenges in public sector procurement to impress your interviewers.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your communication skills! Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, as you'll need to engage with various stakeholders in this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Officer - Fixed Term in Thrapston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Procurement Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for procurement! In your application, highlight any relevant experience in social care sectors and express your eagerness to learn about public sector procurement. This will help us understand why you're a great fit for the team.
Communicate Clearly: Good communication skills are key! Make sure your written application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language to convey your ideas and experiences, as this reflects your ability to communicate with various stakeholders.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to match the job description. Mention specific skills and experiences that align with the role of Procurement Officer, especially around managing projects and using IT systems.
Apply Early!: We might close the vacancy earlier if we get a lot of applications, so don’t wait! Apply through our website as soon as you can to ensure your application gets considered. We’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at North Northamptonshire Council
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially in the social care sector. Be ready to discuss tendering processes and how they apply to the role. This shows you’re not just enthusiastic but also informed about the field.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since good communication skills are key for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with stakeholders in the past, especially in challenging situations.
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
Let your passion for procurement shine through! Share why you want to work in public sector procurement and what excites you about the opportunity at North Northamptonshire Council. A genuine interest can set you apart.
✨Demonstrate Your IT Skills
Familiarise yourself with common procurement software and tools like ERP systems. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and how you’ve used these tools to manage projects or tasks efficiently.