Hybrid Procurement Lead – Part Time (Public Sector)

New Start; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Local Authority Pension Scheme

Flexible working

CIPS/MCIPS training

Job summary

Essex County Council in Chelmsford is recruiting a Part-Time Procurement Assistant Manager on a fixed term basis up to 18 months. The role is hybrid, based in Chelmsford with some home-working, 25 hours per week, pro-rata salary up to £29,037 per year. Closing date 2 November 2026.

The post involves negotiating with providers, scrutinising placement costs and delivering savings while working with operations teams, finance and suppliers. A Level with MCIPS or working towards MCIPS is required.

Qualifications

• Educated to A level with MCIPS or working towards such qualification or equivalent demonstrable work experience with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Comprehensive negotiating skills appropriate to multi million pound contracts and experience of planning and delivering successful negotiations.
• Evidence of some experience of delivering continuous improvements in strategic arrangements with evidence of generating significant cost and service benefits.
• An awareness of working in a political environment.
• Knowledge of category management and experience of using this methodology in complex commercial environments to deliver significant cost or service improvements
• A demonstrable track record of managing strategic contracts in business critical environments. This should include evidence of defining, measuring and improving key elements of supplier performance.
• Evidence of some knowledge of contract law and legislation relevant to the specific category / categories within their control and its impact on market management, finance and contractual arrangements.
• Extensive knowledge of public sector procurement law with an ability to explain the law to non-procurement staff and find pragmatic solutions to potential legal difficulties.

Responsibilities

• As an Assistant Manager, you will be responsible for understanding and scrutinising placement costs, leading negotiations with providers, delivering savings targets and helping the operations teams secure the right support at the right price.
• You'll combine commercial analysis with strong relationship management, working across operational services, finance teams and the external provider market.
• This role requires resilience, curiosity and confidence. You'll need to navigate difficult conversations, challenge costs constructively, understand market dynamics and build partnerships that enable long-term improvements.
• In return, you'll have the opportunity to apply your commercial expertise in a role where the outcomes genuinely matter.

Skills

Negotiating skills

Relationship management

Commercial analysis

Public sector procurement

Cost saving

Education

A level with MCIPS

Job description

Essex County Council in Chelmsford is recruiting a Part-Time Procurement Assistant Manager on a fixed term basis up to 18 months. The role is hybrid, based in Chelmsford with some home-working, 25 hours per week, pro-rata salary up to £29,037 per year. Closing date 2 November 2026.

The post involves negotiating with providers, scrutinising placement costs and delivering savings while working with operations teams, finance and suppliers. A Level with MCIPS or working towards MCIPS is required.