Category Procurement Officer

**Category Procurement Officer**

**Salary**: Lower level - £35,745 - £40,221, higher level £40,221 - £44,428

**Grade**:JK - L

**Contract**: Permanent, full time

**Location**:Hybrid - Working from home 3 days per week and from our office in Northallerton for 2 days or to meet business need.

**Our team**

The procurement team are responsible for ensuring that all procurement and contract management activities (commercial arrangements) provide the very best value for money for the council. We provide professional advice, guidance and insight regarding markets, suppliers, and contractual options to help support service delivery and improvement. We are a well-respected and award-winning service with a reputation for excellence. Joining us, you will be inspired by new opportunities and the exposure and experience to develop your skills professionally. You will join a highly experienced and collaborative team and will be supported to work in a commercially minded fashion, building excellent working relationships with colleagues across the organisation, all united in their motivation to deliver the best outcomes for our council.

For more information about our procurement service, visit our Procurement Opportunities Page

**Role summary**

You will ensure that all procurement and contract management activities provide the very best value for money for the council. Providing professional advice, guidance and insight regarding markets, suppliers, and contractual options to help support service delivery and improvement. You will be responsible for developing and implementing category strategies, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring the procurement process is efficient and aligned with North Yorkshire Council’s objectives. You will ensure compliance with the overall Category Sourcing Strategy, the Council’s Procurement and Contract Management Strategy, Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules, Financial Regulations, and UK Legislation on public procurement and contract management.

**Duties and responsibilities**

Category Procurement Officer Grade JK
- Support Senior Commercial Managers and Senior Commercial Officers in execution of category management and ongoing procurement activity.
- Manage the procurement process from Market engagement to contract administration
- Ensure timely and quality delivery of medium to high value procurement activities, whilst adhering to council standards and governance frameworks
- Maintain accurate information on the progress of procurement projects
- Identify, manage and escalate risks
- Undertake price and process benchmarking and reporting
- Address supplier performance issues and risks

Experience/ Qualifications:

- Qualified to CIPS Level 4 or be willing to complete this.
- Significant procurement experience, with understanding of procurement legislations and systems and an awareness of local government/public sector procurement
- Demonstrable experience of the development and drafting of tendering and contracts documentation and related information and experience of management of contracts
- Capability to work to tight timescales and to achieve targets
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to have challenging conversations as required
- Self-motivated with the ability to work under pressure and prioritise a workload.
- Experience of working collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders across both internal and external departments to ensure that all procurement and contracting activities are fit for purpose and provide value for money.

Category Procurement Officer Grade L (In addition to duties listed above)
- Mentor procurement & Contract Support Officers and Procurement Officers
- Develop structures knowledge sharing through the internal mentoring program
- Assist with onboarding new team members and sharing best practice
- Deliver training on procurement and contract management processes
- Represent the council at Strategic Procurement Group (SPG) regionally

Experience / Qualifications (In addition to those listed above)
- Proven track record in high-value procurement and contract management
- Proven track record in high value procurement and contract management
- Extensive experience across multiple spending categories
- Extensive knowledge of Public Contract Regulations 2015
- Experience of mentoring and supporting colleagues in procurement

**What we can offer**

The service has embraced modern work practices, enabling colleagues to work from home, as well as coming together as a team for development, connection and collaboration two days a week. You will be provided with technology to enable efficient and effective work, ensuring that you are connected and well supported. You are provided with a comprehensive benefits package with an excellent employer defined pension scheme, enhance holidays, flexible working to help you thrive at home and well as work.

You will have the full support of the service to ena