NEPRO Business Partner

North East Ambition; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as a NEPRO Business Partner, where you will manage procurement activities that drive positive outcomes for public sector stakeholders. This role offers the chance to work in a collaborative team, developing strategies and delivering high-value procurements. With a focus on professional development, you will enjoy flexible working arrangements and a supportive culture that values your contributions. If you are passionate about procurement and eager to make a difference, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Flexible Working

Access to Technology for Agile Working

Continuing Professional Development

Annual Leave (28-32 days)

Local Government Pension Scheme

Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Qualifications

• Professionally qualified in procurement or CIPS qualified.
• Qualified to degree level or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage the NEPRO3 solution and all procurement activity.
• Deliver NEPRO Strategy to maximize commercial opportunities.
• Provide procurement guidance across category areas.

Skills

Contract Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Procurement Legislation

Supplier Development

Data Analysis

Education

CIPS Qualification

Degree in Relevant Discipline

Job description

**Please note that the advertised salary is currently under job evaluation, NEPO will be in a position to confirm the actual salary at interview**



Join our team

• Are you a procurement professional with strong interpersonal skills?


• Do your outstanding contract management skills drive positive outcomes?


• Would you like to work in a welcoming and hard-working team, where we care about adding value to our public sector stakeholders?

Come and join NEPO as NEPRO Business Partner!





What you will be doing



Working on a hybrid basis from NEPO’s HQ at the Northern Design Centre in Gateshead, you will undertake the following:

• Manage the NEPRO3 solution (and any future iteration), taking ownership for all current and future procurement activity and all outward-facing aspects of delivery.


• Work with the NEPRO Lead to develop and deliver a NEPRO Strategy which maximises commercial opportunities available across the contract whilst continuously driving performance


• Be responsible for the successful delivery of NEPRO3 by effectively managing workload and resources and setting and delivering objectives


• Provide specialist professional procurement guidance and support or lead activity across category areas (Goods, Services, Works) as required.

Please refer to the Job Profile in the Supporting Documents section for more information.





Key Skills/Qualifications



We are looking for someone with the following qualifications, knowledge and experience:



Qualifications:

• Professionally qualified in procurement or CIPS qualified (or equivalent) or relevant technical qualification.


• Qualified to degree level, or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline in the public sector.

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of procurement and procurement legislation.


• Category management.


• Collaborative procurement / commissioning.


• Working in multi-disciplinary teams.


• Commercial benefits realisation.


• Supplier development


• Contract management and supplier relationship development.


• Stakeholder engagement.


• Local and national agendas.


• Social Value legislation.


• Achieving best value without compromising on service delivery or quality.

Experience:

• Developing expertise within a category area to understand markets and seek new opportunities in the public or private sector.


• Working in multi-functional, cross-organisational teams.


• Undertaking focused and accurate analysis of complex data for a variety of audiences


• Working with minimum supervision and able to manage and tackle competing priorities whilst ensuring adherence to relevant processes and legislation.


• Delivering high-value public sector procurements.


• Successful contract management and development of supplier relationships.


• Working under pressure, organising and prioritising a complex and varied workload.


• Using good communication skills, including presentation skills and report writing to deliver clear messages, build relationships with and influence / persuade stakeholders.


• Maximising commercial opportunities and thinking of new ways of working.

Please refer to the Job Profile in the Supporting Documents section for more information.





About NEPO



NEPO undertakes high-value procurement in major strategic areas of spend in partnership with North East local authorities and a range of nationwide Associate Members.



NEPO delivers a work programme of 70+ procurement solutions, including NEPRO. Used by over 200 public sector organisations from across the UK, NEPRO is a neutral vendor solution for appointing and managing specialist professional services. The third iteration of the framework, NEPRO3, is delivered in partnership with Bloom. Read more about NEPRO at nepo.org



NEPO is focused on delivering positive outcomes for our Member Authorities, regional supply base and over 1,000 Associate Members from the wider public sector. In addition to delivering a collaborative procurement work programme of £850M, NEPO is responsible for the Open e-procurement platform, and the NEPO Supplier Partnership Programme of support for suppliers.



We are a forward-thinking organisation that supports personal and professional development and provides a unique opportunity to work collaboratively across the North East public sector. We have produced a guide to the employee benefits on offer at NEPO to give you a flavour of the welcoming and supportive culture we champion.



NEPO will support your professional development, and for procurement colleagues this includes funding CIPS qualifications. Check out our Professional Development at NEPO guide which sets out your development journey at NEPO.



NEPO employees benefit from:

• Flexible working


• Access to technology that enables agile working


• Continuing professional development, including training opportunities


• Annual leave ranging from 28 to 32 days (depending on length of service), plus public holidays


• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme


• Hybrid working model with an HQ in Gateshead’s Baltic Quarter


• Salary sacrifice schemes including car and bike schemes

Important dates

• The deadline for applications is Thursday 29 May 2025 at 11pm.


• Interviews will be held on Thursday 12 June 2025.

Shortlisted candidates will also be asked to complete an online personality test prior to interview. Please ensure that you are available to complete the online test between 3 June and 6 June 2025.





How to apply



Applications will only be accepted via North East Jobs where you will be asked to upload a CV and complete a brief application form.



For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ruth Long, NEPRO Lead ([e-mail])



For further information about NEPO, please visit our website at www.nepo.org or check out our LinkedIn page. No recruitment agencies please.