Procurement & Contracts Senior Specialist

Wokingham Borough Council; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Wokingham Borough Council is seeking a Procurement and Contracts Senior Specialist to provide expert procurement advice and manage contracts across various Council areas. This full-time role offers extensive benefits, including generous leave and a local government pension scheme. Join a motivated team during an exciting period of legislative change with the new Procurement Act 2023.

Benefits

31 days annual leave

Local government pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Onsite gym

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in preparing procurement tender documentation.
• Good knowledge of public sector procurement regulations.

Responsibilities

• Line management of 1 FTE Procurement Specialist.
• Develop procurement and contract management strategies.

Skills

Public Sector Procurement Regulations

Strong IT Skills

Education

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply

Recognised Business Qualification

Tools

E-Procurement Software

Microsoft Packages

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Procurement and Contracts Senior Specialist to join our motivated procurement and contracts team at here Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, permanent basis.

As the Procurement and Contracts Senior Specialist, you will play an integral role in providing specialist procurement advice, guidance and contract management support, across a variety of different Council areas including Property Services, Housing capital schemes, Governance and Legal.

It is an exciting time to join the procurement and contracts team with the implementation of the new Procurement Act 2023 legislation in February 2025.

This role will support the Council corporate strategy and priorities, ensuring these are based on evidence and align with the Council’s aims and objectives outlined in the Council Plan. This will include ensuring services, programmes, projects, and employees are working towards a common set of outcomes

Benefits:

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 31 days (rising to 36 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
• An excellent local government pension scheme
• An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
• A range of local & lifestyle discounts
• Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
• Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
• And much more!

Key responsibilities:

• Line management of 1 FTE Procurement Specialist providing line management support, advice and guidance.
• Work alongside Council colleagues developing procurement and contract management strategies for a variety of category areas
• Work with the Procurement and Contracts manager to ensure that procurement risks are identified and opportunities realised.
• Develop contract management approaches with Council staff, ensuring all procurement and contract management obligations are met in line with the requirements under the Procurement Act 2023
• Providing a high level of advice, guidance and support to other team members and wider Council colleagues.
• Explore innovative ways to deliver the Council’s Plan aims, objectives and outcomes.

Candidate requirements:

• Good knowledge and experience of public sector procurement regulations, across a variety of category areas
• Experience and excellent understanding of the Public Contracts regulations 2015 and the understanding the requirements of the new Procurement Act 2023 legislation
• Experience in preparing procurement tender documentation, building tender timelines, evaluation approaches and methodologies and following due governance processes
• Relevant professional qualifications such as Chartered Institute of Procurement and supply or a recognised business qualification or substantial previous experience in a procurement and contracts role
• Strong IT skills utilising a variety of Microsoft packages
• Experience of using e-procurement software

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

If you are interested and would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Clare Priest, Head of Procurement and Contracts via email [e-mail]

Closing date: 11pm, 15th June 2025

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.