Category/ Commercial Officer in Ballymena

Category/ Commercial Officer in Ballymena

Ballymena Full-Time 36000 - 40000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Assist in procurement and contract management, ensuring value for money solutions.
  • Company: Join a large Public Sector Organisation with a focus on best practices.
  • Benefits: Flexible working hours, hybrid model, and competitive pay at £18.34ph.
  • Other info: Supervisory role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while developing your career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: HNC/HND or two years' experience in procurement, administration, or finance.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 40000 € per year.

VANRATH are assisting our client, a large Public Sector Organisation with the recruitment of a Category/ Commercial Officer to join their team based in Belfast.

Details

  • Location: Can be based in any of the sites suited (Belfast, Armagh, Omagh, Ballymena)
  • Hours: Full time, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (Flexi working)
  • Hybrid: 2 days in office and 3 at home
  • Salary/ Rate: £18.34ph

Criteria:

Job Purpose

To assist the Category Manager in the provision of best practice procurement and contract management services within a category area or manage a specialist area of work within Procurement Services; To manage the end-to-end procurement process to deliver value for money solutions for their clients. To organise and manage a team of category assistants providing a best practice procurement and contract management service within a category area or manage a specialist area of work within Procurement Services. The post holder will have supervisory responsibilities for staff organised in groups or teams as necessary and will be responsible for the day to day management of functional activities within a category area. Specific knowledge of the category area will be required to provide advice and guidance to line managers and school leaders and customers. The post holder will be required to exercise judgement or discretion within a framework of rule, practice and precedent and will be required to identify and select the most appropriate course of action from a range of options. Undertaking research and investigation, analysis of results and devising recommendations. The post will involve review of existing practices and identification of new solutions to operational problems including analytics of data.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Main Activity Areas:

  • Strategic Procurement
  • Contract Management
  • Supervision of Staff

Provide advice and guidance to clients on procurement and procurement related matters. Develop commercial tender and contract documentation in line with public procurement policy and best practice. Implement and manage procurements to deliver Value for Money solutions within the public procurement policy, legal and accountability frameworks. To develop appropriate sourcing, pricing and assessment strategies in specific category areas. To develop and implement the most efficient and effective Procure to Pay system for each contract. Develop procurement strategies which integrate policies in response of sustainability and continuous improvement. To be responsible for the delivery of procurement services in a specific category to include, tender initiation, evaluation, award and contract management. To be responsible for the daily management of tender processes ensuring critical deadlines are met and customers obtain works and services on time. Implement and carry out compliance checks on the Procurement Service Quality Management System and ensure compliance for a particular procurement category. Verify compliance and completeness checks carried out by Category Assistants. Interpret and summarise all tender offers received from eTendersNI and produce a comparison of submitted tenders. Interpret, clarify, assess and make recommendations on, any issues arising out of tenders and ensure that all parties have a clear understanding of any resulting contract. Prepare reports for the F&GP meetings regarding the award of contracts. Prepare letters of award, intention to award and regret letters and quality assure letters prepared by Category Assistants. Participate in and contribute to continuously improve performance and design new solutions. Be responsible for, manage the design and production of, contract documents schedules for customers giving complete information on all contract terms and conditions. Contribute to the Business Plan setting, reviewing, and/or identifying performance measures and targets for the effective and efficient delivery of service. Collation, analysis and interpretation of spend information from numerous sources in order to identify efficiencies, procurement and contract improvements.

Criteria:

Hold a HNC/HND or above examination qualification and one year's demonstrable experience working in a procurement, administration or finance environment; OR Have two year's demonstrable experience working in a procurement, administration or finance environment. Have one year's demonstrable experience in supervision and management of staff in a procurement, administration or finance function. Demonstrable experience in the use of Information Technology systems including Microsoft Office Suite, and management information systems.

To apply today contact Leanne Garrett in the strictest confidence.

Category/ Commercial Officer in Ballymena employer: VANRATH

Join a large Public Sector Organisation in Belfast as a Category/Commercial Officer, where you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With flexible working hours and a hybrid model, you can enjoy a balanced work-life while contributing to meaningful procurement initiatives that impact the community. This role offers unique opportunities for professional advancement within a collaborative team environment, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a rewarding career in public service.

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Contact Detail:

VANRATH Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Category/ Commercial Officer in Ballymena

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at local events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement processes. Show them you know your stuff and can bring value to their team right from the get-go!

Tip Number 3

Practice your interview skills with a friend or in front of the mirror. The more comfortable you are talking about your experience, the better you'll come across during the real deal.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that Category/Commercial Officer role, so make sure you take advantage of them.

We think you need these skills to ace Category/ Commercial Officer in Ballymena

Procurement Management
Contract Management
Supervisory Skills
Strategic Sourcing
Value for Money Analysis
Tender Documentation Development
Compliance Checks

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category/Commercial Officer role. Highlight relevant experience in procurement and contract management, and don’t forget to showcase any supervisory roles you've had. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific skills that align with the job description and show us your enthusiasm for working with our public sector clients.

Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on achievements rather than just duties. Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you've delivered value for money solutions or improved procurement processes in your previous roles. We love seeing results!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s quick and easy, and ensures your application gets to the right place. Plus, we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

How to prepare for a job interview at VANRATH

Know Your Procurement Basics

Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge before the interview. Understand the end-to-end procurement process and be ready to discuss how you can deliver value for money solutions. Familiarise yourself with public procurement policies and best practices, as these will likely come up in conversation.

Showcase Your Supervisory Skills

Since the role involves managing a team of category assistants, be prepared to share examples of your supervisory experience. Think about times when you've successfully led a team, resolved conflicts, or improved team performance. Highlighting your leadership style will show that you're ready for the responsibilities of the position.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your judgement and decision-making skills. Practice articulating how you would handle specific procurement challenges or operational problems. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.

Demonstrate Analytical Thinking

The job requires analysing data and making recommendations based on findings. Be ready to discuss any relevant experience you have with data analysis, including tools or methods you've used. Showing that you can interpret and summarise complex information will set you apart from other candidates.