Procurement Business Partner

Publica Group; Cirencester; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile working

Flexible working arrangements

Pension scheme

Health cash plan

Cycle to work

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Publica Group is seeking a Procurement Business Partner in Cirencester for a hybrid role combining home and office-based work. You will support procurement across partner councils, ensure compliance with UK procurement legislation, and help deliver high-performing contracts that benefit communities.

The role emphasizes collaboration within a small, supportive team and requires MCIPS progression, strong communication, and diligent governance to optimise spend across multiple councils.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Public Sector Procurement and the Procurement Act 2023.
• Holds or currently studying towards MCIPS.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Highly organised and able to deliver in high-pressure environments.
• Resilient, independent, and motivated with a passion for public service excellence.

Responsibilities

• Deliver end-to-end procurement support, from commissioning through to contract management.
• Provide expert procurement advice and lead complex, compliant processes.
• Analyse spend data using Agresso ERP and category management tools to maximise cost savings.
• Drive innovation by supporting best-practice procurement strategies and e-procurement.
• Work on aggregated contracts and frameworks to improve efficiency across all Publica partners.

Skills

Public sector procurement

Communication

Negotiation

Problem solving

Education

MCIPS (in progress)

Tools

Agresso ERP

Job description

Procurement Business Partner
Cirencester, Agile working
37 hours per week
Fixed term contract 18 months

Are you an experienced public sector procurement professional looking to make a meaningful impact in a forward-thinking organisation that is committed to delivering innovative, efficient, and socially responsible services?

We are seeking a Procurement Business Partner to support a wide range of procurement activities across our partner organisations and clients, delivering procurement expertise to services within Cotswold District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, and Cheltenham Borough Council.

This is your opportunity to play a key role in ensuring compliance with UK Public Sector procurement legislation, while helping deliver high-performing contracts and real value for communities.

This is a hybrid role, offering a blend of home and office-based working. You'll have the flexibility to work from home alongside attending meetings and collaborating with colleagues across our offices. The role can be based from any of our council office locations, including Cirencester, Witney, and the Forest of Dean, providing flexibility to suit your location.

You’ll join a small but highly effective team that combines professionalism with a friendly and supportive culture. Working collaboratively, you'll have the opportunity to build strong relationships, share expertise, and contribute to delivering innovative procurement solutions across our partnership.

Some of your responsibilities:

• Deliver end-to-end procurement support, from commissioning through to contract management.
• Provide expert procurement advice and lead complex, compliant processes.
• Analyse spend data using Agresso ERP and category management tools to maximise cost savings.
• Drive innovation by supporting best-practice procurement strategies and e-procurement.
• Work on aggregated contracts and frameworks to improve efficiency across all Publica partners.

You will need:

• Strong knowledge of Public Sector Procurement and the Procurement Act 2023
• Holds or currently studying towards Membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS)
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
• Highly organised and able to deliver in high-pressure environments
• Resilient, independent, and motivated with a passion for public service excellence.

Special conditions:

• Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes
• BPSS check

For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should enough applications be received.

What can we do for you:

• Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
• Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
• 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays and an extra two volunteering days off a year for you to support a charity of your choice
• Renewed again for another year there is a Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
• Pension scheme with a good employer contribution of up to 7% of your earnings
• Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
• Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
• Additional income protection, covering 50% of your salary for potentially a further five years if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury
• Life assurance, currently four times your annual salary

About Us

You will be employed by Publica Group Ltd which was created by four partner Councils (West Oxfordshire District Council, Cotswold District Council, Cheltenham Borough Council and Forest of Dean District Council) to deliver more efficient and improved services.

Publica is committed to meeting its statutory and moral duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people under 18 years of age and adults at risk who are the recipients of its services and/or activities.

Publica is a unique place to work, established to transform the way local services are delivered, fundamentally rethinking the way our services are designed and delivered in a digital era, making us a customer-focused organisation driven by real user needs.