Procurement Category Specialist - Social Value
Reading Borough Council
We are seeking a Procurement Category Specialist to lead our Social Value agenda and drive innovation through modern category management.
This is a senior specialist role with real corporate influence. You'll champion ethical and sustainable procurement, shaping how our Social Value Policy is embedded across all Council spend to deliver meaningful outcomes for Reading's communities.
Working closely with our Social Inclusion, Tackling Inequalities and Climate Boards, you'll develop practical tools, training and guidance that embed social value throughout the commercial lifecycle. You'll engage Members, colleagues and suppliers to ensure our approach is consistent, ambitious and delivers genuine impact.
With responsibility spanning the full breadth of Council spend, you'll influence strategy from market shaping and contract design to aligning spend and savings with commercial priorities. It's an ideal opportunity for an experienced procurement professional looking to broaden their category expertise and progress toward management.
You'll act as a critical friend to priority procurements, championing corporate category strategies and leading the delivery of Social Value, sustainability and Net Zero initiatives, including ethical supply chains and Scope 3 emissions.
We support hybrid working, allowing flexibility while ensuring employees can excel in their roles, with an expectation of 1-2 days per week in the office.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion, seeking talent from the widest pool of candidates. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively support the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the Role
This role is key in acting as a critical friend to priority procurements led by Procurement Managers across the Council.
Key Responsibilities
We're looking for a procurement category and/or policy with expertise in market engagement, corporate strategy, and strong knowledge and passion for Social Value.
This role is ideal for a procurement professional who combines strong category or policy expertise with a genuine passion for social value and sustainable procurement.
You will bring:
Working at Reading Borough Council
You'll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you'll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you'll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Closing Date: Sunday 15th March 2026
Interview Process: Competency-based interview with prepared presentation element.
Interview Date: Week commencing 23rd March
This is a senior specialist role with real corporate influence. You'll champion ethical and sustainable procurement, shaping how our Social Value Policy is embedded across all Council spend to deliver meaningful outcomes for Reading's communities.
Working closely with our Social Inclusion, Tackling Inequalities and Climate Boards, you'll develop practical tools, training and guidance that embed social value throughout the commercial lifecycle. You'll engage Members, colleagues and suppliers to ensure our approach is consistent, ambitious and delivers genuine impact.
With responsibility spanning the full breadth of Council spend, you'll influence strategy from market shaping and contract design to aligning spend and savings with commercial priorities. It's an ideal opportunity for an experienced procurement professional looking to broaden their category expertise and progress toward management.
You'll act as a critical friend to priority procurements, championing corporate category strategies and leading the delivery of Social Value, sustainability and Net Zero initiatives, including ethical supply chains and Scope 3 emissions.
We support hybrid working, allowing flexibility while ensuring employees can excel in their roles, with an expectation of 1-2 days per week in the office.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion, seeking talent from the widest pool of candidates. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively support the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the Role
This role is key in acting as a critical friend to priority procurements led by Procurement Managers across the Council.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the corporate lead for embedding social value, ethical procurement and sustainability into procurement strategies.
- Validate the delivery and contract management of social value outcomes, including performance, cost, risk and change management.
- Develop and maintain a suite of guidance, templates, policy notes and monitoring tools.
- Brief and advise senior officers and Elected Members on social value policy and delivery.
- Embed category management approaches into sourcing strategies to optimise outcomes and supplier engagement.
- Ensure compliance with public procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023 and PCR 2015.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to deliver effective procurement outcomes.
We're looking for a procurement category and/or policy with expertise in market engagement, corporate strategy, and strong knowledge and passion for Social Value.
This role is ideal for a procurement professional who combines strong category or policy expertise with a genuine passion for social value and sustainable procurement.
You will bring:
- Experience of leading complex procurement programmes, ideally in the public sector.
- Strong knowledge of commercial contracts, governance and compliance.
- Confidence providing professional challenge and influencing outcomes.
- Experience of stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration.
- Knowledge of social value, ethical procurement and sustainable supply chains.
- Familiarity with the Procurement Act 2023 (completion of the Procurement Act eLearning is desirable).
- A CIPS Level 5 qualification (or willingness to work toward this - training and apprenticeship options available).
Working at Reading Borough Council
You'll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you'll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you'll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years' service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Closing Date: Sunday 15th March 2026
Interview Process: Competency-based interview with prepared presentation element.
Interview Date: Week commencing 23rd March
JOB SUMMARY
Procurement Category Specialist - Social Value
Reading Borough Council
Reading
2 days ago
N/A
Full-time
Procurement Category Specialist - Social Value