Job description

Permanent
Full Time 37 hours per week

Salary: £39,862 - £44,075 plus £4,000 Market Supplement

Pay award pending (market supplement applies)

Devon Procurement Services - Strategic Procurement

Joining the Strategic Procurement Service at Devon County Council, you will be part of a supportive and skilled team. Our Category Management approach links expertise and relationships, and exposure to wide ranging business disciplines. We work collaboratively alongside our client services and partners.

Devon celebrates diversity, and we promote agility and innovation through technology, flexible work practices and great teamwork.

The role: This post fits within a procurement team with a diverse portfolio spanning Infrastructure, Performance and Partnership, Waste, Childrens' Services, Adult Social Care, Public Health, ICT and Business Support. We are looking to appoint to the below position:

1 x Senior Procurement Officer (SPO) - Infrastructure Team - Focus on Skills within the Performance and Partnership directorate.

We are seeking an experienced procurement professional to increase our team. The individual role will focus on supporting the Performance and Partnership directorate, specifically around programmes funded through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ), Skills Bootcamps, and other future skills initiatives aligned with local and national workforce needs.

The requirement for the team's support is steadily increasing, as increased service quality is leading to growing demand. The role also involves supporting partners.

Our procurement strategy is providing integral support for the Council's activities, and we are seeing a growing demand for strategic support across the Council which this role will support.

Procurement Strategy 2021-2026 - Economy and Enterprise (devon.gov.uk)

The Council applies many different service delivery models across its operations, using a 'right model for the right service' approach. This includes single/multiple provider frameworks and contracts, use of small Lots, local, regional and pan-regional frameworks, joint ventures and many partnership operations.

Procurement is an important driving force in Devon County Council for identifying and realising cost efficiencies and guiding the improvement of Value for Money in the Council's £350m annual procurement spend. Working for our organisation DCC is very rewarding, where you can make a real, positive difference in your local community. We are seeking a Senior Procurement Officer to support team capacity - an exciting opportunity for the right people with opportunities for workplan diversity and growth.

What we can offer you

Aside from the fulfilling day-to-day job, you'll benefit from our pension scheme and Employee Assistance Programme.

You'll be living and working in one of the most beautiful parts of country with the option to work from home when suitable. There are development opportunities in this role and potential to increase your annual leave based on years of service.

Above all, you will be supported by colleagues with a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from, not just from within the Procurement team, but also from across the departments it serves.

Based at County Hall, Exeter incorporating hybrid / agile working, the site offers modern well-equipped offices, onsite café, parking and extensive grounds.

Benefits include:

• 26 days paid annual leave - as set out in our annual leave policy (rising with length of service, pro-rata as relevant), plus bank holidays.
• Incremental salary increases.
• Access to the attractive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexible working opportunities, including flexitime and hybrid / homeworking opportunities, to support work life balance.
• Training, learning and personal development opportunities.
• Access to the Employment Assistance Programme and Devon Discounts schemes.

For an informal discussion, please contact Lee Webber, at lee.webber@devon.gov.uk or via telephone 01392 383 000.

Flexible working arrangements will be considered in line with the Council's 'How we Work' strategy.

We are looking for :

We seek individuals with a positive and proactive approach who can apply the strategic procurement discipline to real world practicalities. People we seek to join our team will bring strategic, lateral thinking into practical reality and will work closely with our own team, with clients and partners to help achieve the very best outcomes for the people of Devon.

Working in collaboration with colleagues across the Council and beyond, you will be highly professional, organised, bring vision and ability to forward plan and be highly motivated. You will possess relevant procurement qualifications or be part qualified and willing to complete. MCIPS qualification would be advantageous albeit not mandatory. You will recognise both the commonalities and differences between commercial and public sector procurement environments and understand public sector drivers and ethos.

You will have relevant procurement / commercial expertise and experience for the role and will bring a sound knowledge of relevant procurement legislation, case law and the ability to interpret and convey practical guidance to colleagues and partners including senior service area managers.

How to apply
Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

Please click here to see the Job Description

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages .
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice .
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page .
• We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).