Procurement Officer

Support Excellence in Procurement at Royal Greenwich

Are you an experienced procurement professional ready to take the next step in your career?

Royal Greenwich is seeking aProcurement Officerto play a key role in supporting the Head of Procurement and Category Leads, ensuring efficient and effective procurement processes while delivering social value and best value for money.

In this role, you will be responsible for supporting procurement exercises, advising departments on procurement regulations, and ensuring compliance with best practice. You will also have the opportunity to manage end-to-end procurement activities for contracts, guide colleagues, and contribute to the development of procurement strategies that support the Council’s objectives.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Procurement, you will support a range of procurement activities, including leading the procurement of contracts worth up to £500,000. You will play an essential role in ensuring compliance with procurement regulations, contributing to contract management, and helping achieve financial savings and social value benefits.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Supporting Procurement Strategy and Governance: Work alongside the Category Lead to develop and maintain the Council’s procurement strategy, ensuring compliance with national and local procurement regulations, and contributing to best practice.
• Managing Procurement Exercises: Lead the end-to-end procurement processes for contracts, including developing specifications, guiding departments, managing supplier engagement, and ensuring the effective use of the Council’s eProcurement system.
• Contract Management and Supplier Relationship: Contribute to managing supplier relationships, ensuring contracts deliver value for money and social value benefits. Support performance management and resolution of contract delivery issues.
• Data and Spend Analysis: Conduct regular data analysis and produce reports on procurement activities, ensuring accurate reporting of spend and procurement outcomes.
• Market Research and Supplier Engagement: Lead market research activities and soft market testing with suppliers to understand market conditions and develop appropriate procurement strategies.
• Providing Procurement Advice: Offer procurement advice and guidance to internal teams, ensuring that procurement processes are well understood and implemented.
• Maintaining Records and Compliance: Ensure the centralised contract register is updated, including managing direct awards and variations. Ensure full compliance with procurement and contract management practices.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a Procurement Officer with the following knowledge, skills, and experience:

Knowledge:

• A good understanding of UK procurement regulations and policies, particularly in the public sector.
• Knowledge of the rules and processes related to the procurement of goods, services, and works in a local authority setting.
• Knowledge of how procurement contributes to achieving best value and social value in the public sector.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and present data to inform procurement decisions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively engage with senior officers, colleagues, and external suppliers.
• Well-developed problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate with others to find practical solutions.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise workloads, and meet deadlines with a proactive and positive approach.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel and e-procurement systems, with attention to detail.
• Ability to proofread and review procurement documentation for completeness and accuracy.

Experience:

• Experience in preparing contract documentation, reports, and other procurement-related documentation.
• Demonstrable experience in a procurement environment or a relevant field, with involvement in managing RFQs or tender exercises.
• Experience of managing or supporting high-value or complex procurement exercises, including conducting market research and engaging with suppliers.

Equal Opportunities:

Commitment to the Council’s equal opportunities policies and values, ensuring inclusive practices across all procurement activities.

Why Work for Royal Greenwich?

As the home of the Prime Meridian Line, Greenwich Mean Time and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Royal Greenwich was named as the first new Royal Borough for more than 80 years.

Royal Greenwich is a great place to live and work, with the main Council offices based in the heart of Woolwich.

Benefitting from excellent transport links ranging from buses and tubes to trains and ferries, Royal Greenwich is one of the easiest boroughs to get to. Not to mention the New Elizabeth Line that only takes 21 minutes to get into or from central London from Woolwich, and 10 minutes to reach The O2.

At Royal Greenwich, you’ll be part of an innovative and supportive team committed to delivering real impact for our residents. As aProcurement Officer, you’ll enjoy:

• Anexcellent working environment and culturewith experienced, professional management and colleagues.
• Agenerous 29 days’ annual leave, plusBank Holidays. (increasing to 31 days after 5 years continuous service)
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangementswith comprehensive IT support.
• Continuous professional development opportunities, including coaching, mentoring and training.
• Access to an enhancedEmployee assistance programme (EAP)for you and your immediate family which provide support on a wide range of work and personal issues
• The chance to work in a vibrant borough with excellent transport links, including theElizabeth LineandUber Boatand season ticket loans to get here.
• ACycle to Work scheme,reduced-rate gym membershipand a range of local benefits and discounts
• The security of up to6 months' full pay and 6 months' half pay(after 5 years continuous service)
• Not to mention agenerous Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS),which is a Defined Benefit Scheme offering employer contributions. LGPS builds at a rate of 1/49 (e.g. £20k salary/year/49 = £408.16 pension)

Your pension also benefits you with:

- Life cover - you get life cover of 3x pensionable pay

- Lower tax

- Survivor benefits and

- Ill health cover

How to Apply

If you are ready to make an impact in procurement and contribute to the success of Royal Greenwich, we’d love to hear from you!

Please read the attached job documents and submit a supporting statement outlining how your experience aligns with the Procurement Officer responsibilities and person specification. We look forward to receiving your application!

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contactStefanie Seff; stefanie.seff@royalgreenwich.gov.uk 0208 921 2134

To apply please click theApply Nowlink below.