At a Glance
- Tasks: Collaborate with teams to deliver impactful procurement activities in social care and public health.
- Company: Join Walsall Council's dynamic Procurement and Contract Management team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible work culture with exciting projects and career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: A positive attitude and willingness to learn about procurement processes.
The predicted salary is between 35412 - 38220 € per year.
G7: £35,412 - £38,220 per annum. This is a re-advertisement, previous applicants should not re-apply.
About our Procurement and Contract Management Team:
We are pleased to share that following a review and restructure, Walsall Council has a number of new and exciting opportunities in its Procurement and Contract Management team. Our team support a wide range of service areas across the Council including services for Adult Social Care, Children’s Service, Public Health, Construction, FM, Waste, Fleet, Finance, HR, and ICT to name a few. With significant changes in public sector procurement with the UK’s Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) coming into force, bringing with it the challenges of a major overhaul of the procurement and contract management rules, and a heightened focus on transparency, integrity and commerciality, this is an ideal time to join our established team and positively impact change.
About our Assistant Category Specialist:
We are seeking a commercially minded positive individual with a ‘can do’ attitude to work collaboratively with stakeholders to successfully deliver a range of procurement activities. Ideally, you will:
- be flexible and pragmatic in your approach
- have the ability to manage multiple workstreams across your category area at different stages of the procurement cycle.
- work with a variety of teams planning and defining services and ensuring procurement projects meet local objectives to support the Council’s corporate vision of delivering excellent services and improving life chances for all Walsall residents.
About the People Category:
Our People Category has four fantastic opportunities available for two Category Specialist roles and two Assistant Category Specialist to strengthen our capacity to deliver a wide range of procurement activity. We work in close collaboration with many key internal and external stakeholders that include Council wide service areas, vulnerable service users, providers, VCSEs and of course, our valued supply chain. We are not afraid to think outside the box and challenge the ‘norm’, we pride ourselves on our flexible and pragmatic procurement advice to achieve the most advantageous procurement strategy, and to ensure successful project delivery.
Our projects vary in value and complexity with sometimes challenging timescales. Examples of recent and current/future projects include:
- Healthy Child Programme circa £6M annually (lifetime value £60M) – Provider Selection Regime
- Integrated Sexual Health Services circa £2M annually (lifetime value £20M) – Provider Selection Regime
- Community Based Support Services circa £28M annually (lifetime value £224M) – PA23 Light Touch Framework
- Support Living Services circa £20M annually (lifetime value £160M) – PA23 Light Touch Framework
- Residential and Nursing Care Services circa £54M annually – PA23
- User Choice Home to School Transport circa £10M+ annually – PCRs 2015 DPS
- Healthy Eating for Families and Children circa £250k annually (lifetime value £1.25M) – PCRs 2015 Open Process
If you want to be supported by passionate and dedicated Category Managers and Category Lead, believe you could add value to our team and you have relevant category knowledge, or the desire to learn, then we would like to hear from you.
If you have any questions, please contact Susan Wilson, Category Lead for People at susan.wilson@walsall.gov.uk.
Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them.
Please see our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information. We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time.
At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole – particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ – reflects your own voice.
This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
Closing Date: 7th June 2026.
Assistant Category Specialist - Ref: RT00326 in Walsall employer: Walsall Council
Walsall Council is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly within its Procurement and Contract Management team. Employees benefit from a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth, as they engage in meaningful projects that directly impact the community's well-being. With a focus on flexibility and a commitment to excellence, Walsall Council empowers its staff to challenge norms and contribute to the delivery of vital services for residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Category Specialist - Ref: RT00326 in Walsall
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the procurement field, especially those connected to Walsall Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching recent projects and challenges faced by the Procurement and Contract Management Team. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to their success!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want to see your personality shine through, so don’t be afraid to let your enthusiasm for the role show!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, make sure your supporting information is tailored to the job description – this is your chance to show us why you’re the perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Category Specialist - Ref: RT00326 in Walsall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When you're filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to hear your unique voice and experiences, so don’t be afraid to show us what makes you, well, you!
Nail the Supporting Information:This is your chance to really sell yourself! Make sure you provide a detailed statement that clearly shows how your skills and experience match the criteria in the employee specification. Remember, if you skip this, you won’t get shortlisted!
Keep It Relevant:Focus on the experiences and skills that are most relevant to the Assistant Category Specialist role. Highlight any previous procurement or contract management experience, and how it aligns with our team’s goals.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Walsall Council
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Make sure you brush up on the latest changes in public sector procurement, especially the UK’s Procurement Act 2023. Understanding these regulations will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but also ready to tackle the challenges that come with them.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Since the role involves working closely with various stakeholders, be prepared to discuss examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your ability to manage multiple workstreams and how you’ve adapted your approach to meet different team needs.
✨Prepare Your Supporting Information
When filling out your application, ensure your supporting information is detailed and directly addresses the criteria in the employee specification. This is your chance to shine, so make it personal and reflective of your unique experiences and skills.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the team dynamics or upcoming projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the environment aligns with your working style.
