Procurement Category Specialist - Social Value

READING BOROUGH COUNCIL; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Reading is seeking a Procurement Category Specialist to lead its Social Value agenda. The role involves developing procurement strategies focused on sustainability and ethical practices, ensuring compliance with public procurement regulations. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in public sector procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a commitment to social value initiatives. Working arrangements support hybrid working, allowing some flexibility while maintaining a collaborative team environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex procurement programmes, ideally in the public sector.
• Strong understanding of contracts and commercial agreements.
• Knowledge of category management and commercial risk mitigation.
• Familiarity with ethical and sustainable procurement.

Responsibilities

• Develop templates, training, monitoring systems for social value management.
• Lead implementation of Council policies on social value and sustainability.
• Advise senior officers on corporate social value policy.
• Ensure adherence to public procurement regulations.

Skills

Complex procurement programme leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Category management

Supplier negotiations

Risk mitigation

Social value initiatives

Education

Level 5 CIPS qualification

Procurement Act eLearning completion

Job description

About the role

Reading Borough Council is looking for a forward‑thinking Procurement Category Specialist to lead our Social Value agenda and drive innovation through smart, modern category management.

In this role you will champion ethical, sustainable procurement, reshaping our Social Value direction and ensuring it delivers meaningful outcomes for Reading’s communities. You will work closely with our Social Inclusion, Tackling Inequalities and Climate Boards, creating practical tools, training and guidance that embed social value into every stage of our commercial activity.

Key responsibilities

• Play a critical role in developing templates, training, monitoring systems and clear guidance, working with Members and suppliers to keep our approach consistent, ambitious and impactful.
• Lead the implementation of Council policies such as Social Value and initiatives supporting work towards Net Zero, including Scope 3 emission tracking and sustainable supply chain initiatives.
• Validate contract management of social value, ensuring delivery of outcomes, performance and cost monitoring, and change/risk management.
• Advise senior officers and Elected Members on our corporate social value policy, delivery strategy and implementation.
• Embed category management approaches into individual contract sourcing strategies, optimising procurement outcomes and maximising supplier engagement.
• Ensure adherence to public procurement regulations, including the Procurement Act 2023 and associated legal frameworks.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to ensure successful delivery of procurement activities.
• Act as corporate lead on ensuring social value, ethical procurement and sustainability principles are embedded into procurement strategies.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex procurement programmes, ideally in the public sector.
• Strong understanding of a range of contracts and commercial agreements.
• Ability to ensure adherence to governance structures and corporate compliance.
• Knowledge of category management, supplier negotiations and commercial risk mitigation.
• Ability to provide professional challenge and secure outcomes.
• Familiarity with corporate social responsibility, ethical and sustainable procurement and social value initiatives and opportunities.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience in stakeholder engagement and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023, and ideally Public Contracts Regulations 2015; completion of the Procurement Act eLearning course is preferable.
• Holding a Level 5 CIPS qualification is preferable, although apprenticeship and training options will be available.

Working arrangements

We support hybrid working, allowing flexibility while ensuring employees can excel in their roles, with an expectation of 1‑2 days per week in the office.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and seek talent from the widest pool of candidates. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively support the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

Working at Reading Borough Council

You will be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.