At a Glance
- Tasks: Join Ocean Housing as a Contract Officer and enhance procurement practices.
- Company: Ocean Housing, a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing in Cornwall.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, family-friendly policies, and commitment to employee development.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with flexible working options and excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while building strong supplier relationships.
- Qualifications: A Level or equivalent; procurement experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 34000 £ per year.
Join Ocean Housing as a Contract Officer!
Location: Stennack House, St Austell
Hours: 37 per week (Mon-Fri)
Salary: £34,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Are you passionate about delivering value for money, improving services, and building strong supplier relationships? At Ocean Housing, we’re looking for a proactive and driven Contracts Officer to play a key role in strengthening our procurement and contract management practices—helping us deliver high-quality, cost-effective services to our customers and communities.
Your Role: As a Contracts Officer, you’ll act as a vital link between internal teams and our supply partners—ensuring contracts deliver maximum value, performance, and quality. You’ll contribute to improving our procurement processes, maintaining accurate supply chain information, and supporting contract governance to keep us audit-ready. You’ll support the Strategic Procurement Manager and take a hands-on role in contract management activities, supplier performance, and service improvement initiatives.
Key responsibilities:
- Building strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support delivery of the procurement strategy and company plan
- Monitoring supplier performance, managing risk, and driving continuous improvement projects
- Implementing a robust contract management framework to deliver value for money and strong performance outcomes
- Supporting procurement activities, including sourcing, negotiation and contracting
- Maintaining accurate contract data in our procurement systems
- Supporting audit, compliance, and governance processes
What You’ll Bring: We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is passionate about delivering high-quality services.
Essential experience & knowledge:
- Experience of procurement and contract management in a structured or strategic setting
- Strong customer focus with experience building effective stakeholder relationships
- Understanding of financial management and value for money principles
- Experience using IT systems and databases to support service delivery
- Knowledge of data protection principles (GDPR)
Skills & attributes:
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Strong attention to detail with a methodical approach
- Problem-solving mindset with the ability to suggest improvements
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work flexibly
- A collaborative team player who is adaptable and open to change
- Professional, confident and resilient, with strong interpersonal skills
Qualifications:
- A Level (or equivalent Level 3 qualification) essential
- (Desirable) Procurement qualification such as CIPS Level 4
Key Dates:
- Closing Date: Wednesday 10th of June 2026 at Midnight
- Interview Date: Thursday 18th of June 2026 (Face to face at Stennack House, St Austell)
We may close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications—so apply soon!
The Company: Ocean Housing Ltd is a not for profit, charitable registered provider of social and affordable housing, with a stock of over 4,700 properties throughout Cornwall. We are part of the Cornwall Homechoice ‘Choice Based Lettings’ scheme.
At Ocean we believe affordable housing is not just about the buildings, but about the people who turn them into homes. We provide a wide range of services to our residents, helping them to make the most of their homes and the communities they live in.
Mission Statement: “To be an innovative provider of quality homes and services, with residents and staff at the heart of Ocean, and Ocean at the heart of the community.”
At Ocean our vision is to be the employer of choice for Cornwall. We want to create a work environment where everyone feels like they belong, can bring their best, authentic selves to work every day and are provided with the support they need to do a great job.
Our purpose is to create a modern, dynamic and agile work environment, fit for the 21st Century and one of which all of our colleagues feel included and proud to be a part of. An environment which enables colleagues to provide quality, affordable homes and services for the people of Cornwall. We believe work is what you do, not where you go and therefore colleagues deliver their work where it best suits the need, whether that be in the office, home or around a local area or site using local facilities. Colleagues are agile and work or have meetings in any place to suit the need and task.
Benefits:
- Family friendly
- Committed to Training and Developing our Employees
- Cycle to Work
Values:
- Honest, Enthusiastic and Always Positive
- Passionate about Customer Service
- Quality and Value in all we do
- Innovative, Ambitious and Brave for the future of our Business, Customers and Communities
Contract Officer employer: Ocean Housing
Ocean Housing is an exceptional employer located in St Austell, dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive. With a strong commitment to training and development, flexible working arrangements, and a focus on employee well-being, Ocean Housing fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation. Recognised as the Best Place to Work at the Cornwall Business Awards 2022, we prioritise our staff's growth and engagement, ensuring they feel valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Ocean Housing. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to procurement and contract management. Think about specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your skills in building relationships and driving improvements.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your personality! During the interview, let your passion for delivering high-quality services shine through. Be confident, professional, and don’t be afraid to show your problem-solving mindset. Remember, they want to see if you’ll fit into their collaborative environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the position and gives you another chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Contracts Officer role at Ocean Housing.
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Contract Officer role. Highlight your experience in procurement and contract management, and show how you can deliver value for money and improve services.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your excellent communication skills and attention to detail. We want to see how you’ve built strong relationships with stakeholders and managed competing priorities in your previous roles.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application! We’re looking for someone who is passionate about delivering high-quality services, so share your enthusiasm and any relevant experiences that demonstrate this.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocean Housing
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Contracts Officer. Brush up on procurement processes, contract management frameworks, and how to build strong supplier relationships. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your experience in procurement and contract management. Think about times when you improved supplier performance or managed risks effectively. This will help you illustrate your skills and how they align with what Ocean Housing is looking for.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about Ocean Housing's procurement strategy, their approach to supplier relationships, or how they measure success in contract management. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
Ocean Housing values authenticity and collaboration, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Be professional but also show your passion for delivering high-quality services. Remember, they want to see how you would fit into their team culture!