Procurement Specialist

Are you an experienced Procurement professional with public sector experience looking for an exciting new role at a charity that is certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’?

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 is a one-stop procurement shop, with a vision of being the first-choice procurement services charity that gives back to the education sector. We combine professional support, expert guidance and resources with free training and development opportunities via Crescent Learning.

CPC provides a range of services which include 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 savings.

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

The role is offered as a full-time or part-time position working with 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 comprehensive procurement and tendering service.

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

As part of Crescent Managed Services, you will lead the procurement of contracts in a variety of categories, including facilities, estates, finance, curriculum, ICT and other projects and services. You will embed best practice, efficiency and effectiveness within procurement processes, ensure compliance with UK procurement regulations and legislation and help achieve savings.

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will provide proactive and comprehensive service and advice on all aspects of procurement to all levels of personnel and manage relationships between clients and their suppliers.

We are looking for someone with 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.
• Opportunities to develop through in‑house development programmes and external learning with full support to achieve MCIPS.
• 41 days holiday (including three days additional leave for Christmas holiday closure and bank holidays).
• Time off for volunteering opportunities.
• Enhanced leave packages such as paid sickness, carer's leave, bereavement and compassionate leave and maternity pay.
• Wellbeing support with access to 8 mental health first aiders and an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Chance to get involved in working groups such as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Wellbeing and Sustainability.
• Opportunity to join Women's, Men's and Carer's employee support networks.
• Social and employee events throughout summer and at Christmas.
• Programme of ‘giving back’ to the communities it is based in and supports.
• Travel expenses paid for any additional…