Procurement Category Specialist

Job details

Department

Procurement

Responsible to

Procurement Business Partner

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Salary

£26,363 to £28,827 (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £32,838 per annum)

Closing date

Sunday 14 April 2024

Contract type

Permanent

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework .

Reference

0003-24-R

About the role

This role forms part of the University’s centralised core Procurement team, which collectively supports a devolved purchasing activity at the Kedleston Road, Derby main campus and across three other campuses at Buxton, Leek and Chesterfield.

This role will work within the procurement function, supporting a category with an annual spend of £10 million, as part of a fit for purpose category management approach that embraces our core values, drives sustainable business practice and delivers best value to the University and our partners.

We are looking for an individual who can work with people at all levels and will have effective communicating skills, able to review, analyse and provide reporting within the procurement remit, and carry out sourcing activities, as required. If these are areas you have experience in optimising, we welcome you to apply for this role.

Upon appointment the job title will be: Assistant Category Specialist

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact our Procurement Business Partner, Karen Barber via  [email protected]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected]

Principal accountabilities

Manage and lead compliant tender/sourcing activities for assigned portfolio.

Work with stakeholders to consolidate requirements to develop clear, detailed specifications and provide recommendations/procurement strategies for assigned portfolio and to assist Procurement Business Partners on opportunities for consolidation for other ad hoc areas.

Define evaluation criteria, set up and run eSourcing and eAuction events where appropriate and with guidance from other Procurement Business Partner and provide input to contract negotiations and supplier risk plans for areas outside of assigned portfolio.

Prepare, analyse, and evaluate tenders for goods and services as directed by the Procurement Business Partner, ensuring transparency and fairness in compliance to the University’s Purchasing Policy and Procedures.

Support other team members in high value more complex tendering exercises through the delivery of tender activities, including public procurement process and mini competitions (for professional development purposes).

Manage a small assigned portfolio of preferred suppliers, which will include leading of supplier review meetings

Provide detailed analysis on the performance of contracts and suppliers by gathering data on and analysing key metrics, summarising these and providing concise reports that highlight any deviations and recommend courses of action to rectify. This will involve gathering feedback data from both end-users within the University as well as from suppliers.

Responsible for populating central systems such as a central contract database with data received at the conclusion of sourcing projects.

Communicate all contractual data to local Buyer teams.

Identify, implement, and evaluate continuous improvement opportunities both internally and externally.

Drive sustainability initiatives with the University’s suppliers, set targets and feedback on the delivery of those targets.

Be fully involved in the Flexible Framework Sustainable Procurement achievement.

Support the Procurement Business Partner to set up and run regular category forum meetings to bring together stakeholders across the University for category specific user groups.

Identify demand requirements for the University to provide a holistic/demand overview and producing recommendations on potential synergies and potential for standardisation.

Conduct product/service benchmarking and market analysis.

Assist in the training and development of Buyers in respect of the general procurement of goods and services, the University’s Purchasing Policy and Procedures and the effective use of general procurement systems, processes and practices.

Play a key role in the effective communication of the departmental strategy, policies, systems and procedures.

Responsible for resolving escalated issues relating to the performance of suppliers or central Procurement. This will involve working with stakeholders to understand the root cause of the issues and discuss and agree resolution actions.

Responsible for the delivery of savings within their category.

Be an active member of the Procurement Team eg. Attend and participate in meetings, forums and staff development events and disseminate information from those meetings.

Participate fully in the Development and Performance Review system and demonstrate the University’s core values.

Ensure all work undertaken is recorded and processed in accordance with University financial procedures, procurement regulations and Purchasing Policy, including maintenance of archive materials, in a timely manner.

Person specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications

• GCSE (grade C or higher) in Mathematics and English language. Educated to A level or equivalent qualification / experience.
• Level 5 CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply) qualification or willingness to work towards

Experience

• Experience of using IT and web based systems
• Evidence of working to organisational procedures and EU procurement regulations
• Supporting categories, involving cross functional teams
• Experience in use of purchasing e-tendering /sourcing systems

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Knowledge of the legal aspects of purchasing and the public sector tendering process
• Effective communication skills, both written and oral, including negotiation, tact and diplomacy
• Good presentation, training and coaching skills
• Highly competent/computer literate with a number of Microsoft Office applications and relevant software packages
• Enquiring mind capable of assimilating and interpreting a wide range of information.
• Self-motivated, able to work alone and as part of a team
• Capable of influencing and working with staff at all levels
• Knowledge of trends and best practices in procurement
• A degree of tenacity in resolving and conflict between local stakeholders

Business requirements

• Willing to travel and work at other sites or locations as necessary
• Undertake Continuous Professional Development (CIPS)
• Pass and renew annually the CIPS Ethical Procurement and Supply Module (on-line)

Desirable Criteria
Qualifications

• Customer Care / Business Administration qualifications
• Prepared to work towards MCIPS full qualification

Experience

• Experience of working in an educational business environment

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Good commercial awareness
• Able to use initiative, be persuasive and have a positive influence on others
• An understanding of EU Procurement Regulations Knowledge of contracts and contract law

Benefits

As well as competitive pay scales, we offer generous holiday entitlement. We also offer opportunities for further salary progression based on performance, and the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme.

Find out more about pay and rewardsFind out more about pay and rewards

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

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If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at [email protected] .

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

Important information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit Applying from Overseas for more information.

What is Adaptive Working?

Adaptive working is about enabling a high-performing, flexible, and responsive work culture where the place, time, and manner of working are tailored to the specific work activity. This approach ensures that the working environment, including both physical and social surroundings, supports employees to perform at their best and meet the university's evolving needs.

In addition, adaptive working involves intentionally designing workspaces to support a range of activities and disciplines, providing the right environment for meaningful in-person connections and effective collaboration. This includes ensuring that employees have access to the necessary equipment and resources from their first day at the university.

Adaptive working encompasses different modes of working such as site-based, remote or hybrid working. It is a broad framework within which all staff can operate effectively according to their role.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

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Further details

Download Procurement Category Specialist job descriptionDownload Procurement Category Specialist job description

Why join Derby?

Challenging, interesting and constantly changing, the University of Derby is an extraordinary place to learn and an incredibly rewarding place to work.

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The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.