Purchasing Assistant (Procurement)

East Herts District Council; United States; Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 47,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Up to 50% home working

Local Government pension scheme

Wellbeing programme

Free parking

Job summary

East Herts District Council invites applications for a part-time Finance Assistant (Procurement) to support the procurement function. The role combines home and office working with Hertford as the main base and 22.5 hours per week.

You will guide staff on Local Government procurement regulations, analyse spend, oversee In-Tend training, and collaborate with Stevenage Borough Council and other authorities. The package includes flexible working and pro-rata pay for part-time hours.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at minimum; willingness to work toward CIPS level 2.
• Knowledge of Local Government procurement processes and regulations.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage time efficiently.
• Good MS Office skills, including Excel and Word.
• Clear communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to staff on Local Government procurement regulations.
• Interrogate spend reports and identify breaches of procurement rules.
• Oversee training and support for In-Tend users and respond to queries.
• Conduct market research and explore savings with existing contracts.
• Maintain the electronic Contracts Register and support governance.

Skills

MS Office

Excel

Word

Time management

Communication skills

Education

GCSE English & Maths

CIPS Level 2

Tools

In-Tend

Job description

We are looking to recruit a Finance Assistant (Procurement) on a part time basis to play a key role in supporting the Council's procurement function. You will be working alongside colleagues from Stevenage Borough Council who manage the Councils procurement service and those in the East Herts Council finance team. With a mixture of home and office working, Hertford would be the main work base. The role is for 22.5 hours per week, please note the salary shown is for full time (37 hours) and you would be paid pro-rate for 22.5 hours per week. What will you be doing?

• Provide guidance & assistance to staff at all levels within the Council on the regulations of Local Government procurement
• Interrogate reports and analyse spend across the council, identifying possible breaches of UK and local Procurement Regulations.
• Responsible for overseeing the training and support to new users of In-Tend using a variety of training materials and be the key contact in relation to queries and assistance for all users
• Market Research solutions (including potential savings) by using existing contracts and collaboration with other local authorities, Government Commercial Agency (GCA) and other framework and consortium contracts
• Ensure that the electronic Contracts Register is maintained and kept up to date both internally and on the internet., Interviews will be held during week commencing 23rd November 2026.

We as a council are ambitious. To find out more about our ambitions and what it's like working at East Herts, In accordance with council policy, new appointments will normally be made at the first SCP point of the relevant grade. If, at the offer stage, a candidate can provide clear evidence that their skills and/or experience align with a higher point within the grade, appointment at the next SCP point may be considered. Any such decision must be reviewed and approved by the Director We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, valuing diversity and maintaining a firm commitment to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. We believe that creating inclusive environments leads to stronger collaboration and better outcomes in our work.

Attached documents

• Good level of general education, preferably with GCSE or equivalent passes in English and Maths at 'C/4' and be prepared to work towards CIPS level 2.
• Knowledge of Local Government procurement processes including Public Contract Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 regulations.
• The ability to work well under pressure and organise your time efficiently
• Detailed understanding of Council's Procurement Regulations and Financial Regulations
• Good Microsoft Office skills (including Excel and Word).
• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work independently and with others as part of a team
• Good communication skills, with the ability to give clear advice and support to service staff across the council
• Ability to explain procurement issues, at the appropriate level, to non-finance staff Opportunities for growth and cross- department working, learning new skills and service areas
• 26-29 days annual leave rising to 34 days with 5 years' local government service (pro rata)
• Usage of our e-fleet during business hours for business-related visits
• Employee well-being programme
• Employee events group
• Regular opportunities to socialise with other teams within the council
• Flexible working arrangements, including flexi-time
• Up to 50% working from home for eligible posts
• Free parking in our offices and select council owned car parks during business hours
• Access to wellbeing and occupational health schemes such as the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Local Government pension scheme
• Discounts at council-owned leisure centres
• Opportunity to network with colleagues across councils in Hertfordshire and the East Of England
• Professional environment where your career path really matters and your development is supported by the organisation