Procurement Officer

Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed by the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Southeast Integrated Care Boards; and current at-risk employees within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts. We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Senior Procurement Officer to support the delivery of strategic procurement and commissioning activities across the Integrated Care Board (ICB). Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will lead low to medium complexity procurement exercises, support complex procurement projects, and provide expert procurement advice to stakeholders. The role involves ensuring compliance with procurement legislation and NHS governance requirements, managing procurement pipelines and records, undertaking market analysis, and driving value-for-money and service improvement initiatives. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled procurement professional with strong stakeholder engagement and organisational skills to make a meaningful impact across the ICB and wider Integrated Care System (ICS). Main duties of the job o Lead low to medium value and complexity procurement exercises from initiation through to contract award. o Support Procurement Managers in delivering complex and high-value procurements. o Prepare procurement documentation including procurement strategies, specifications, invitations to tender, quotation documentation and evaluation templates. o Manage procurement timetables and ensure projects progress in accordance with agreed milestones. o Organise and facilitate tender evaluation processes. o Coordinate clarifications and communications with bidders. o Support contract award, mobilisation and implementation activities.

Please note, this vacancy does not meet the criteria for skilled worker sponsorship and therefore, we are unable to accept applications from candidates that cannot provide documentary evidence of right to work in the United Kingdom., Education and Qualifications Essential

• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• CIPS Level 4 Diploma/ working towards or equivalent procurement qualification.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
Desirable
• Working towards MCIPS qualification.
• Procurement or project management qualification.
• Legal qualification
Experience Essential
• Experience working within a procurement function in the NHS, public sector or private sector
• Experience supporting procurement exercises and tender activities.
• Experience working with procurement regulations, procedures and governance requirements.
• Experience using e-procurement systems and procurement databases.
• Experience producing reports and analysing procurement information.
• Experience managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience working with a range of stakeholders.
Desirable
• Experience supporting procurement activities under the Provider Selection Regime.
• Experience using Atamis.
• Experience supporting healthcare service procurements.
• Experience undertaking spend analysis and category management activities.
Knowledge and Skills Essential
• Knowledge of public sector procurement principles and processes.
• Understanding of the Procurement Act 2023.
• Understanding of the Provider Selection Regime Regulations 2023.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of procurement governance and audit requirements.
Desirable
• Understanding of category management principles.
Leadership and Behavioural Expectations Essential
• Demonstrates NHS values and behaviours in all aspects of work.
• Acts as a professional ambassador for the procurement function.
Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• CIPS Level 4 Diploma/ working towards or equivalent procurement qualification.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
Desirable
• Working towards MCIPS qualification.
• Procurement or project management qualification.
• Legal qualification
Experience Essential
• Experience working within a procurement function in the NHS, public sector or private sector
• Experience supporting procurement exercises and tender activities.
• Experience working with procurement regulations, procedures and governance requirements.
• Experience using e-procurement systems and procurement databases.
• Experience producing reports and analysing procurement information.
• Experience managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience working with a range of stakeholders.
Desirable
• Experience supporting procurement activities under the Provider Selection Regime.
• Experience using Atamis.
• Experience supporting healthcare service procurements.
• Experience undertaking spend analysis and category management activities.
Knowledge and Skills Essential
• Knowledge of public sector procurement principles and processes.
• Understanding of the Procurement Act 2023.
• Understanding of the Provider Selection Regime Regulations 2023.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of procurement governance and audit requirements.
Desirable
• Understanding of category management principles.
Leadership and Behavioural Expectations Essential
• Demonstrates NHS values and behaviours in all aspects of work.
• Acts as a professional ambassador for the procurement function.
  
  We are committed to a culture that supports all staff at NHS Kent and Medway to be the best version of themselves.
Our ability to improve outcomes for our population depends on how effectively clinical, operational, financial and strategic professionals work together to make informed commissioning decisions. That's why our workforce works a minimum of two days-a-week on-site, with the expectation that all one-to-ones are held face-to-face and that colleagues will regularly visit the services we are commissioning to understand more about them. We believe regular on-site working supports stronger collaboration, faster problem-solving, peer learning, visible leadership and the integration of colleagues into our organisation. We also know that culture is built through shared experiences and day-to-day interactions. We are a flexible working friendly organisation; we aim to support you to work flexibly in a way that will suit you and us. We work with staff to agree objectives through regular supervision, annual appraisal and access to training opportunities.