Procurement Officer

Freebridge Community Housing; North End; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A community housing association in North End is seeking a Procurement Officer to manage the purchasing process, ensuring quality products are procured efficiently. You will negotiate contracts, manage budgets, and implement cost-saving strategies while maintaining compliance with procurement policies. Ideal candidates will have several years of experience in procurement and strong analytical skills. Benefits include generous paid leave, employee discounts, and excellent support for health and wellbeing.

Benefits

Generous holiday leave

Exclusive employee discounts

Comprehensive leave policies

Health and wellbeing support

Charitable leave

Discounted gym membership

Work-life balance

Qualifications

• Several years of experience in procurement, preferably in the same industry.
• Knowledge of procurement laws and ethical practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Meticulous attention to detail in documentation.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team.

Responsibilities

• Manage vendor selection through tendering and evaluation.
• Negotiate contracts to secure favorable terms.
• Manage budgets for procurement activities.
• Implement strategies for cost savings.
• Prepare performance reports on procurement activities.

Skills

Vendor selection

Contract negotiation

Budget management

Cost savings strategies

Policy compliance

Analytical abilities

Problem-solving

Education

Experience in procurement or supply chain management

Relevant certifications in procurement

Job description

Overview

As a Procurement Officer, you will report directly to the Procurement Business Partner and play a crucial role in overseeing and managing the purchasing process for goods and services. You will ensure the Association obtains quality products from the most advantageous tender and within required timelines. As the main point of contact between the organisation and suppliers, you will facilitate clear communication regarding requirements and expectations. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our team at a pivotal moment.

About Freebridge Community Housing: Our Freebridge Community Housing goal is to provide affordable, safe, and quality homes for current and future generations, for those who need a place to call home. Freebridge was set up in 2006 to receive the transfer of the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk's housing stock. We now have over 7500 properties across west and north Norfolk, in addition to building new homes for social and affordable rent, and to support those who want to move into shared home ownership. We've had numerous achievements, including delivering our tenants' promises and bringing homes to the Decent Homes Standard, affording our customers a much better quality of living. At Freebridge, we live by our values: Belong, Own It, Think Customer, One Team One Purpose, and Be the Change.

What you'll be doing

• Vendor Selection: Tendering, evaluating, and selecting suppliers.
• Contract Negotiation: Securing favourable terms with suppliers.
• Budget Management: Managing procurements within budgets.
• Cost Savings: Implementing strategies to reduce expenses.
• Policy Compliance: Ensuring adherence to policies and legal requirements.
• Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate procurement records.
• Performance Reporting: Preparing reports on procurement activities.
• Cross-functional Coordination: Aligning procurement with business needs.
• Stakeholder Communication: Acting as the lead on Quick Call tenders with stakeholders across the business.

Qualifications

• Several years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management, preferably within the same industry.
• Knowledge of procurement laws, regulations, and ethical sourcing practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to assess supplier performance, market trends, and procurement processes.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy in preparing all tender documentation and procurement reporting data.
• A strong ethical foundation and commitment to fair and transparent procurement practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and build positive relationships with stakeholders.
• A self-motivated individual who takes the initiative to identify areas for improvement and implement solutions.

Desirable Criteria

• Relevant certifications in procurement or supply chain management may enhance credibility and knowledge in the field.
• Public sector procurement experience.

Benefits

• Generous Holiday Leave: Enjoy 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days after 5 years of service.
• Exclusive Employee Discounts: Access amazing deals through our Reward Gateway.
• Comprehensive Leave Policies: Enjoy 6 months full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks full pay for paternity leave.
• Health and Wellbeing Support: Access physio and counselling services, along with an employee assistance programme.
• Charitable Leave: One day per year to volunteer for a cause you care about.
• Discounted Gym Membership: Stay fit with discounted membership at Alive Leisure.
• Work-life Balance: Enjoy an early finish on a Friday to kick-start your weekend!

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity is key to our values and culture. We create a workplace where every voice is heard and respected, embracing diverse perspectives to drive innovation. Our inclusive environment empowers colleagues, ensuring equal opportunities for all. We don't discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. We're happy to accommodate reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process to enable you to perform your best. As part of this commitment, we also offer accessibility tours for candidates to help ensure an inclusive and welcoming experience from the outset.