Procurement Support Officer

MI5; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

MI5 is seeking a Procurement Support Officer in Manchester to join the Commercial Support team. The role focuses on sourcing goods and services efficiently, supporting ITT processes, and maintaining data integrity across procurement activities.

You'll work with cross-functional teams, attend tender panels, and handle bid logistics while meeting deadlines. The successful candidate will have GCSEs in English and Maths, strong Excel skills, and commit to four years in Commercial with clear

Qualifications

• GCSEs in English and Maths at A*-C, 9-4 (or equivalent) or demonstrable administrative experience.
• Confident written and verbal communicator.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel and cloud-based tools.

Responsibilities

• Receive and disseminate bids and tender documents.
• Note-take and minute-take during tender panels and moderation.
• Coordinate supplier events and review sessions.
• Ensure compliance and data integrity across procurement activities.
• Support invitations to tender (ITT) and monitor progress of procurements.
• Collaborate with multiple teams to manage deadlines.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

GCSEs English and Maths

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Cloud-based tools

Job description

Procurement Support Officer (Government equivalent: Commercial Support Officer)

Locations: Manchester

Salary: £32,827

Flexible working: we recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance, which is why we offer flexible working options including flexi-time, part-time, full-time, job share and compressed hours. Please note this role requires a minimum of 3 days per week in the office, with flexibility to work from home 1 to 2 days per week.

MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.

As a Procurement Support Officer working in our Commercial Support team, you’ll ensure the goods and services we rely on are sourced efficiently and cost-effectively. Your day-to-day focus will be procurement, but you’ll be part of our wider Commercial function. Internally, we refer to the department as ‘Commercial’, rather than ‘Procurement’, reflecting the terminology used across the wider civil service.

It’s a diverse function and you’ll support teams across all of it. You’ll work with colleagues who shape our future pipeline, category teams supporting commercial delivery across Technology, Estates, People and Professional Services, the Supply Chain team, and a Commercial Operations team handling low value procurements, policy, audit and management information.

You’ll work on a range of administrative tasks including receiving and disseminating bids, note- and minute-taking during tender moderation panels, coordinating supplier events and review sessions, and ensuring compliance and data integrity. Plus, you’ll support invitations to tender (ITT) and monitor the progress of goods and services. Whether you’re investigating queries and providing progress updates, reviewing contracts or running reports for senior colleagues, you’ll be collaborative, organised, and able to manage multiple deadlines.

You’ll need GCSEs in English and Maths at A*-C, 9-4 (or equivalent), or demonstrable administrative experience in a professional services environment. You might be looking to launch a supply chain or commercial career, changing careers, or simply looking for a fresh challenge. Importantly, you'll be a confident written and verbal communicator and comfortable using Microsoft Excel and cloud-based tools.

Please note, you’ll be expected to spend four years within the Commercial function, during which time you may have opportunities for promotion. This role also offers a first step on the Commercial Career Pathway towards the Trainee Commercial Practitioner Programme; a tailored programme of learning and development, including achieving externally recognised qualifications such as the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.

At MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.

To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You can apply at the age of 17 years, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Full eligibility details can be found on our website