Procurement Officer

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Commercial & Procurement team and play an important role that make a real difference to our communities.

The Commercial & Procurement team is a proactive and consultative team who supports a range of directorates to ensure that the Council's commercial arrangements and contracts deliver value for money to Dorset residents.

This role will be largely focussed on supporting the diverse Place directorate which includes areas such as Property, Highways, Coastal, Waste, Transport and Fleet however the role will be flexible and support to other directorates may be required at times, providing you with opportunities to develop new skills and work across diverse projects.

Furthermore, reorganisation is taking place within Dorset Council and this may change the focus of the role, presenting an exciting time to be part of the team during this period of transformation.

Candidates with a strong track record in public sector procurement, delivering open tenders and framework call-offs along with an understanding of compliance with regulations will be prioritised for interview as they will be expected to start contributing effectively from day one. We also encourage applicants from those with more general compliance, tendering and contract management experience.

You will be overseeing a range of procurement activities from initiation through to contract management, ensuring services delivered are cost-effective, sustainable, and aligned with the Council's objectives.

Candidates will have high levels of communication and negotiation skills, the ability to communicate well with people, competent use of ICT, ideally including the procontract e-tender system, and strong Microsoft skills on teams, outlook, word and excel etc.

You will have the desire to be proactive and manage your time effectively and efficiently, supporting all members of the team and the wider Council.

Candidates will be able to focus on individual procurements with attention to detail and will be able to prioritise the management of several procurements simultaneously.

You will be a point of contact for a variety of procurements across multiple areas and will be able to support and advise officers through the procurement process.

What you will be doing:

• manage tender processes for directorate-specific requirements, ensuring best practice
• provide support and guidance to Directorates
• offer procurement and commercial advice and guidance to officers and suppliers
• support Directorates in the delivery of their strategic aims
• support delivery of a commercially minded approach within the Council

About you:

• effective communication skills with the ability to engage multiple stakeholders, both internally and externally
• experience working with suppliers, including supplier relationship and contract management
• knowledge of procurement practices
• awareness of public sector procurement regulations and practices
• project management skills with the ability to lead projects effectively
• solution focussed thinker with good attention to detail

Join us to be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team where your expertise will help shape the future, ensuring our procurement practices deliver the best outcomes for our communities.

• this advertisement will close on 8th December.
• final applications will be reviewed during week commencing 8th December and updates provided to candidates.
• there may be a two-stage process to include a Teams call as the first stage where required.
• interviews will be scheduled for week commencing 15th December.
• a presentation will be required for this role and the topic will be advised with interview confirmation.
• planned dates are above however applications will be reviewed as they arrive, and dates may be subject to change.
• there may be multiple roles available
• strong candidates will be held in a pool for any further Procurement Officer positions arising over the next 18 months.
• we reserve the right to consider a fixed term appointment
• we may also consider a part-time role (minimum 30 hours)

Whilst work travel has reduced considerably due to the use of virtual meetings, there may be occasions when travel is needed.

This is a hybrid role, with a balance of remote working and office working (Dorchester), depending on business and project requirements. The initial expectation is that there would be a minimum of one working day a week in the office for the first six months in order to build relationships.

If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact and