Procurement Manager – Public Sector (Hybrid)

Essex County Council; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Public sector environment

Local Authority Pension Scheme

27 days annual leave

CIPS development

Job summary

Essex County Council in Chelmsford is recruiting an Assistant Manager for the Procurement Team, focusing on Children's & Families contracts. You will understand and scrutinise placement costs, lead provider negotiations and drive savings while supporting operations to secure the right prices.

The role combines commercial analysis with relationship management across services, finance and suppliers, within a hybrid working pattern. Experience in public sector procurement is highly valued.

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

• 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.
• Combine commercial analysis with strong relationship management, working across operational services, finance teams and the external provider market.
• Navigate difficult conversations, challenge costs constructively, understand market dynamics and build partnerships that enable long‑term improvements.
• Apply your commercial expertise in a role where the outcomes genuinely matter.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Cost analysis

Stakeholder management

Market awareness

Public sector procurement

Contract management

Education

A level

MCIPS qualification

Job description

Essex County Council in Chelmsford is recruiting an Assistant Manager for the Procurement Team, focusing on Children's & Families contracts. You will understand and scrutinise placement costs, lead provider negotiations and drive savings while supporting operations to secure the right prices.

The role combines commercial analysis with relationship management across services, finance and suppliers, within a hybrid working pattern. Experience in public sector procurement is highly valued.