Supplier and Contracts Data Administrator

Job description

**Full Time - Fixed Term for 12 months**

This administrator role forms part of our Supplier Set-Up Team, which comes under the Council’s Corporate Procurement and Contract Management department. The Supplier Set-Up team act as administrators for part of the Council’s finance system (typically delivered from Accounts Payable teams within other organisations) as well as undertaking data analysis work as required to understand the Council’s expenditure and relationships with our suppliers.

You will be a key part of Reading Borough Council’s spend controls and Purchase to Pay Policy management, acting as a key administrative link between end users, Accounts Payable and the Procurement & Contracts team.

This role completes activities such as the setting up new accounts in relevant Council systems, amending existing accounts, assisting in the monitoring of compliance with policies for tackling fraud, and data analysis of our account management information for presentation by the Procurement Management team at Boards attended by senior Council colleagues.

In addition, this role will be responsible for helping implement our new Finance System, by taking part in any testing of transferred processes from our legacy system, updating the team’s procedure notes, as well as any written guidance needed by users submitting requests into the team.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

**About the role**
- Assess and approve any new requests submitted to ensure that the request is complete and in compliance with all relevant Council policies.
- Complete the necessary fraud checks and checks of the information supplied, such as bank details, company registration, etc.
- Maintain records in council systems to ensure that all detail remains up to date and valid, conducting relative checks for change requests
- Conduct a cleanse of records in the council systems by performing a regular review of supplier information held on council systems
- Collaborate with colleagues from other teams across the Council where different systems and processes interface
- Advise and liaise with directorate staff on all aspects of set-up requests
- Track, analyse and report on data trends for review by Financial experts and senior managers as part of the Council’s financial strategic management

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
**Work Together as one team** - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

**Drive Efficiency** - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

**Be Ambitious** - be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

**Make a Difference to Reading** - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

**About you**

The following experience is required for this role:

- IT literate - Good level of Excel and PowerPoint skills. Familiar with ERP (Procure to Pay) systems, particularly Advanced E5 and BPM would be advantageous
- Comfortable handling difficult conversations to enforce corporate policies in a calm and professional manner
- Able to use initiative, within corporate process and guidelines, including recommending process improvements and identifying best practice for incorporation into service delivery
- Good communication skills, both for internal / external service providers and suppliers
- Able to deliver objectives to a timeline
- Data entry/ finance system experience (training can be provided)
- Confident in picking up new skills and adapting to issues
- Logical and solution focussed approach to work

**Our offer**

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

Opportunity to work in a hybrid fashion (combination of office-based and home working)

A competitive salary alongside a range of bene