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
These post fit within a procurement team with a diverse portfolio spanning Infrastructure, Waste, Childrens’ Services, Adult Social Care, Public Health, ICT and Business Support. We are looking to appoint to the below positions:
1 x Senior Procurement Officer (SPO) – Services Team
1 x Senior Procurement Officer (SPO) – Infrastructure Team
Please state within your submission, which role you would prefer indicating areas of interest.
We are seeking two experienced procurement professionals to increase our team and will try to match the skills of the appointee, with overall service requirements. However, we will need to appoint where the business needs are required.
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.
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 Senior Procurement Officers 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.
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.
Benefits include
1. 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.
2. Incremental salary increases.
3. Access to the attractive Local Government Pension Scheme.
4. Flexible working opportunities, including flexitime and hybrid / homeworking opportunities, to support work life balance (Flexible working arrangements will be considered in line with the Council’s ‘How we Work’ strategy).
5. Training, learning and personal development opportunities.
6. Access to the Employment Assistance Programme and Devon Discounts schemes.