Your Role

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Lakes College is a technical vocational Further Education College delivering education and training to full-time and part-time learners and apprentices to degree level. We have a vibrant campus in West Cumbria with state of the art vocational workshops and resources, including the National College for Nuclear Northern Hub.

Our mission and purpose are to:

'Enable people to recognise and develop their potential'.

We are a people business and our mission applies as equally to our staff team as to our learners and employers'. We are a Good college and have ambition to be Outstanding by together developing our culture, standards and expectations. We encourage innovation, collaboration and reflection to lead to new ideas and methods. We gather, evaluate and use data to drive operational improvement.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are now seeking a proactive and highly organised Facilities & Procurement Co-Ordinator to join our Facilities Department. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is motivated by improving processes and supporting a busy operational team.

As the Facilities & Procurement Co-Ordinator, you will play a vital role in ensuring the efficient procurement of goods and services across the college. You'll analyse financial data, support tender processes, maintain strong supplier relationships, and contribute to cost-saving initiatives that enhance the college's operational efficiency.

You will also monitor and quality-audit our cleaning and catering contracts to ensure that all service standards are consistently achieved.

This role is ideal for someone with great attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Key Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate day-to-day procurement activities in line with college financial regulations
• Liaise with internal departments to secure efficient purchasing and achieve value for money
• Prepare regular reports on cost savings and procurement performance
• Support the development, negotiation and administration of tenders
• Create and maintain Service Level Agreements for effective supplier monitoring
• Develop strong working relationships with both internal colleagues and external suppliers
• Conduct monitoring and quality audits for cleaning and catering contracts
• Provide high-quality administrative support to the Facilities team
• Contribute to continuous improvement, sustainability and health & safety initiatives across the college

The successful candidate will hold a Level 3 qualification in Administration or a related field, alongside a minimum of Level 2 qualifications in Literacy and Numeracy. As this role relies heavily on digital systems and documentation, proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is essential, together with experience in managing multiple data sets and maintaining SharePoint sites.

You will bring a strong foundation of skills and experience to the role, including excellent organisational abilities, proven experience in systems administration, and a high level of attention to detail. The ability to work effectively under pressure, prioritise competing demands, and consistently meet strict deadlines will be key to success in this position.

Experience in procurement processes, particularly within the context of public procurement legislation, would be considered a significant advantage and a valuable asset to the role.

**If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.**

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU!
• Generous annual leave - 29 days plus 8 days bank holiday plus 2 discretionary days (rising to 33 days after 5 years' service)
• Automatic entry into the Local Government pension Scheme.
• A dedicated and friendly team of professionals who are keen to develop and learn.
• Excellent CPD opportunities to grow and development through mentorship and coaching.
• Free onsite parking.
• Subsidised onsite restaurant.
• A cycle scheme tech scheme and discounted gym membership.
• Fantastic facilities to resource our ability to teach our students.

Application Requirements

To ensure compliance with safeguarding guidelines, all applicants must complete the application form in full. This includes providing:

• A full employment history from the time you left full-time education, with details of any gaps in employment explained.
• Information on all relevant education and qualifications.

Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered. Your co-operation helps us maintain the highest standards of safety and care for children and young people.

Qualifications

Minimum Level 2 literacy & numeracy qualifications & be willing to update skills
essential

Level 3 qualification in a relevant area
essential

Skills

Experience

Previous experience of systems administration
essential

Intermediate to advanced skills Microsoft Office skills
essential

Recent and relevant industry experience in sector

Personal Attributes

Committed
essential

Dedicated
essential

Focused
essential

Demonstrates ability to work under pressure, prioritise and commit to strict deadlines whilst maintaining the quality of output
essential

Personal Qualities

Work collaboratively and for the good of all
essential

Relevant Skills

Act as a team player
essential

Safeguarding Information

Lakes College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references.

Lakes College is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.