Social Value and Responsible Procurement Officer

Luton Borough Council; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A local governmental organization in Luton is seeking a committed Social Value & Responsible Procurement Officer. This role involves leading efforts to embed social value into procurement processes, guiding colleagues and suppliers, and reporting on the impact of initiatives. Candidates should have strong experience with e-procurement systems, analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively. Join us to make a positive difference in our community while enjoying flexible work options and numerous benefits.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Career pathways

Pension scheme with employer contributions

Relocation package

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working options

Unlimited access to development courses

Staff offers on local services

Discounts on local bus travel

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of social value and responsible procurement tools.
• Experience in managing back-office infrastructure and procedures.
• Ability to prioritize tasks effectively under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Guide colleagues and suppliers on responsible procurement practices.
• Monitor and report on social value initiatives' impact.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to promote continuous improvement.

Skills

E-procurement systems

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Data manipulation skills

Office IT systems

Education

NVQ Level 3-4 or equivalent experience

Tools

Online procurement platforms

Contract performance systems

Job description

About The Job

Salary: £39,152 - £41,771 a year

Hours per week: 37

Contract type: Permanent

We are seeking a committed and forward-thinking Social Value & Responsible Procurement Officer to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead on embedding social value and responsible procurement practices across the Council, supporting both internal colleagues and external partners.

In this role, you will champion the integration of social value into tender activity and contract management, ensuring that our procurement processes deliver positive and measurable outcomes for our communities. You will also play a key role in demonstrating how Council policies are being achieved through relevant contracts, and in reporting on the wider impacts of our approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and provide guidance to colleagues and suppliers on embedding social value and responsible procurement into tender activity and contract management.
• Ensure Council policies are effectively delivered through procurement activity and evidenced in contract performance.
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on the impact of social value initiatives, particularly in relation to:
  • Environmental sustainability and delivery of the Council’s Net Zero Carbon Plan.
  • Social value contributions to communities, including wellbeing and resilience.
  • Economic growth and the development of skills across the borough.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders to promote best practice and continuous improvement in responsible procurement.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

About You

You will have strong experience and understanding in the use of e-procurement and contract performance systems, as well as social value and responsible procurement tools, to ensure compliance and drive improved outcomes, delivering value for money. You are experienced in managing back‑office infrastructure, systems, and procedures, demonstrating adherence to organisational policies while taking initiative to develop and implement continuous improvements in procurement processes.

With excellent analytical and data manipulation skills, you are highly organised, able to manage multiple tasks, work under pressure, and prioritise effectively, with exceptional attention to detail. You have strong interpersonal and teamworking abilities, communicating clearly and positively with colleagues across the organisation and with external suppliers.

Confident in the use of office IT systems, spreadsheets, and online procurement/contract management platforms, you have demonstrable knowledge of systems that capture social value and responsible procurement performance. You can provide support, guidance, and training to colleagues on best practice approaches to specifying and evaluating social value and responsible procurement outcomes. Working towards CIPS membership status, NVQ Level 3‑4 qualified, or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge through experience, you bring both expertise and a proactive approach to your role.

This is a public facing role so you’ll need to show off your fluency in speaking and writing English.

About Us

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no‑one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.

Application Process

On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.

Benefits

• From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part‑time hours and alternative working patterns
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel

How To Apply

We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high‑quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!

Our ‘How to apply' page has more tips to help with your application: How to apply