Procurement Specialist

Are you an experienced Procurement professional with public sector experience looking for an exciting new role?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Procurement Specialist to join our expanding team and organisation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and we are interested in you as an individual. We are looking for a highly organised professional with a positive attitude, dedicated to achieving excellence in public sector procurement.

Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) is a not-for-profit charity that gives back to the education sector and provides a one-stop procurement shop, with a vision of being the first-choice procurement services charity that gives back to the education sector. Combining professional support, expert guidance, and resources with free training and development opportunities via Crescent Learning.

CPC provides a range of services which include over 80 compliant frameworks, with several approved by the Department for Education (DfE), consultancy services which can aid with every aspect of an institution's procurement journey from facilitating flexible procurement outsourcing, five days a week, to designing a strategic procurement package to maximise your savings.

Each year CPC's Board of Trustees review the level of reserves the charity has and any surpluses are reinvested back into the education sector via the 'Giving Back' initiative. To date over £2 million has been designated for re-investment in the form of various projects with the largest amount being used specifically for awarding non-refundable grants to CPC members supporting SEND learners, wellbeing and absenteeism in colleges, schools, academies, and universities nationwide.

We're an award-winning organisation recognised and certified as "Great place to work". We offer a collaborative, exciting environment where your ideas are heard and valued. We provide competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for career development. We’re making a real difference and you can be a part of it! This is just the beginning, we're constantly growing and evolving and we're always looking for passionate individuals who share our vision!

The role is offered as a full-time or part-time position working with our clients based in the Bournemouth and Dorset region and surrounding areas. Please state your preference when applying.

This role will require regular travel to our clients’ premises and involves working onsite directly with our educational clients to provide a fully comprehensive procurement and tendering service.

Successful applicants must be able to travel and must have public sector tendering experience.

This role sits within our Crescent Managed Services. You will be responsible for leading the process for procuring contracts for a variety of categories, including facilities, estates, finance, curriculum and ICT and other projects and services.

This role will contribute to embedding best practice, efficiency and effectiveness within procurement processes and decisions, ensuring compliance with UK procurement regulations and legislation, and assisting us to achieve savings.

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will be responsible for offering a proactive and comprehensive service and advice on all aspects of procurement to all levels of personnel and managing relationships between our clients and their diverse range of suppliers.

We are looking for someone who has procurement experience within the public sector or the education sector and knowledge of the Public Sector Procurement Act 2023.

• Salary of up to £45,000 FTE per annum depending on experience.
• Generous yearly discretionary bonuses following successful probation.
• Remote working with visits to clients onsite when required.
• Access to a local government pension scheme which includes death-in-service and ill health benefits.
• Opportunities to develop through in-house development programmes and external learning with full support towards achieving MCIPS.
• 41 days holiday (including three days additional leave for Christmas holiday closure and bank…