Procurement Category Specialist - Social Value
Reading Borough Council
Reading Borough Council is looking for a forwardthinking Procurement Category Specialist to lead our Social Value agenda and drive innovation through smart, modern category management.
In this role, you'll be our champion for ethical, sustainable procurement - reshaping our Social Value direction and ensuring it delivers meaningful outcomes for Reading's communities. You'll work closely with our Social Inclusion, Tackling Inequalities, and Climate Boards, creating practical tools, training, and guidance that embed social value into every stage of our commercial activity.
With category responsibilities spanning the full breadth of Council spend, this role offers dynamic opportunities to influence strategy - from identifying opportunities to rationalise or diversify the market, to setting contract terms and spend/savings targets aligned to our commercial priorities. It's an ideal role for someone looking to broaden their category expertise on a clear path toward management.
Our Social Value Policy ensures every contract improves life for people in Reading, supports ethical and sustainable supply chains, and helps us reach Net Zero by 2030. We're committed to growing the local economy and working with SMEs and community organisations in line with the National Procurement Policy Statement.
You'll play a key role in making this a reality - developing templates, training, monitoring systems, and clear guidance, while working with Members and suppliers to ensure our approach is consistent, ambitious, and delivers real impact.
You will want to have knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023, and ideally Public Contracts Regulations 2015 - top candidates will have completed the Procurement Act eLearning course. You'll work closely with colleagues to ensure contract delivery is effective and drives value for money. Your confidence in public speaking and holding discussion forums will be key to ensuring we actively engage our supply chain and colleagues in decisions and recommendations for our policies in procurement. Holding a Level 5 CIPS qualification is preferable, although apprenticeship and training options will be available.
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. It will champion the corporate category strategies into delivery. It also critically leads the implementation of Council policies such as Social Value and initiatives supporting work towards Net Zero such as Scope 3 emission tracking and sustainable supply chain initiatives. The postholder will oversee their categories portfolio, professionally challenge in Operational Contracts Boards, and collaborate with Procurement Managers to ensure individual commercial strategies deliver towards the Councils strategic goals.
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.
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 1st February 2026
Interview Process: Competency-based interview with prepared presentation element.
Interview Date: 13 th , 17 th and 18 th February 2026
Please note that the closing date is a guide, and we may close applications early if we receive a high volume of interest.
In this role, you'll be our champion for ethical, sustainable procurement - reshaping our Social Value direction and ensuring it delivers meaningful outcomes for Reading's communities. You'll work closely with our Social Inclusion, Tackling Inequalities, and Climate Boards, creating practical tools, training, and guidance that embed social value into every stage of our commercial activity.
With category responsibilities spanning the full breadth of Council spend, this role offers dynamic opportunities to influence strategy - from identifying opportunities to rationalise or diversify the market, to setting contract terms and spend/savings targets aligned to our commercial priorities. It's an ideal role for someone looking to broaden their category expertise on a clear path toward management.
Our Social Value Policy ensures every contract improves life for people in Reading, supports ethical and sustainable supply chains, and helps us reach Net Zero by 2030. We're committed to growing the local economy and working with SMEs and community organisations in line with the National Procurement Policy Statement.
You'll play a key role in making this a reality - developing templates, training, monitoring systems, and clear guidance, while working with Members and suppliers to ensure our approach is consistent, ambitious, and delivers real impact.
You will want to have knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023, and ideally Public Contracts Regulations 2015 - top candidates will have completed the Procurement Act eLearning course. You'll work closely with colleagues to ensure contract delivery is effective and drives value for money. Your confidence in public speaking and holding discussion forums will be key to ensuring we actively engage our supply chain and colleagues in decisions and recommendations for our policies in procurement. Holding a Level 5 CIPS qualification is preferable, although apprenticeship and training options will be available.
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. It will champion the corporate category strategies into delivery. It also critically leads the implementation of Council policies such as Social Value and initiatives supporting work towards Net Zero such as Scope 3 emission tracking and sustainable supply chain initiatives. The postholder will oversee their categories portfolio, professionally challenge in Operational Contracts Boards, and collaborate with Procurement Managers to ensure individual commercial strategies deliver towards the Councils strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as corporate lead on ensuring social value, ethical procurement and sustainability principles are embedded into procurement strategies.
- Validate contract management of social value, ensuring delivery of outcomes, performance and cost monitoring, and change/risk management.
- Develop and maintain a full toolkit of guidance, policy notes, templates, and monitoring tools to support consistent and effective social value delivery.
- Brief and advise senior officers and Elected Members on our corporate social value policy, delivery strategy and implementation.
- Embed category management approaches to individual contract sourcing strategies, optimising procurement outcomes and maximising supplier engagement.
- Ensure adherence to public procurement regulations, including the Procurement Act 2023 and associated legal frameworks.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to ensure successful delivery of procurement activities.
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.
- Experience in leading complex procurement programmes, ideally in the public sector.
- Strong understanding of a range of contracts and commercial agreements.
- Ability to ensure adherence to governance structures and corporate compliance.
- Knowledge of category management, supplier negotiations, and commercial risk mitigation.
- Ability to provide professional challenge and secure outcomes.
- Familiarity with corporate social responsibility, ethical and sustainable procurement and social value initiatives and opportunities.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with experience in stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration.
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 1st February 2026
Interview Process: Competency-based interview with prepared presentation element.
Interview Date: 13 th , 17 th and 18 th February 2026
Please note that the closing date is a guide, and we may close applications early if we receive a high volume of interest.
JOB SUMMARY
Procurement Category Specialist - Social Value
Reading Borough Council
Reading
2 days ago
N/A
Full-time
Procurement Category Specialist - Social Value