Procurement Officer

Are you an experienced procurement professional looking to make a real impact across a forward thinking local authority? Stevenage Borough Council is seeking a motivated and detail driven Procurement Officer to join our Corporate Procurement Team and help shape how we buy goods, works and services for our community. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering transparent, compliant and value driven procurement activity across the Council. You'll work closely with services, senior managers and suppliers, supporting projects from early planning through to contract award, ensuring our processes meet the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023, Contract Procedure Rules and wider governance standards What you will be doing You will support and lead on a wide range of procurement activity, including:

• Advising departments on compliant procurement routes and best practice.
• Managing quotation and tender exercises, including setting up projects on Intend, issuing clarifications, liaising with suppliers and compiling final contract documentation.
• Ensuring procurement activity is fully auditable, transparent and accurately recorded.
• Supporting pre procurement market engagement, researching frameworks and helping officers understand market options.
• Drafting procurement documentation such as letters, contracts, evaluation criteria and summary reports.
• Maintaining and improving procurement processes, templates and guidance.
• Producing reports on spend patterns, contract compliance and KPI performance linked to the Co operative Procurement Strategy.
• Promoting social value, sustainability and local economic benefits within procurement activity.
• Providing training, guidance and informal coaching to officers across the Council.
• Representing the procurement function at internal groups, supplier meetings and moderation sessions
  
  We're seeking someone who brings both technical knowledge and strong interpersonal skills.
You will have:
• Knowledge of public sector procurement and relevant legislation.
• Experience delivering procurement advice in a public sector environment.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication, analytical and problem solving abilities.
• Experience using e tendering systems.
• Understanding of key procurement related areas such as social value, equalities, fraud, modern slavery and data protection.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and collaborative working.
• CIPS membership (or working towards it) at Level 2 or above.
  
  Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, volunteers and recruitment candidates to share this commitment. SBC shall take all reasonable steps to employ staff who are safe to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. For posts identified with regular contact with these groups applicants will be required to undertake a Value Based Interview. The council supports the legislative requirements for employing and maintaining safer staff and the guidance specified by Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board | Hertfordshire County Council
We are changing. Stevenage Borough Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Stevenage Borough Council on 1 April 2028, it is expected that the majority of roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings - Protection of Employment) principles. LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit Local Government Reorganisation | Shaping Hertfordshire's Future Stevenage Borough Council is committed to Equal Opportunities for All.


• Pension Scheme: We offer a career average pension scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
• Flexible working: Available upon request, subject to operational requirements.
• Part time and Job share opportunities: All our full-time vacancies are open to job share unless otherwise stated.
• Leave: A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave, maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave.
• Holidays: 25 days holiday rising to 31 days (depending on Local Government service)
• Training: An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues
• Travel: Season ticket loans and discounts for public transport
• Cycling: Cycle to Work scheme
• Stevenage Credit Union: Secure savings, free life insurance and access to cheap loans.
• Employee Discounts: Via monthly paid membership of the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)
• Wellbeing: Discounted Health and Fitness membership
• Trade Unions: For a small fee, all employees have the opportunity to join a Trade Union