Procurement Officer - Working for Essex

About the role

Procurement Officer

Fixed Term, Full Time

£29,053 to £34,180 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: Friday 6th February 2026 at 11.59pm

Please note that this is a Fixed Term Contract / Secondment opportunity for a period of 12 months.

Supporting Statement

Please provide a supporting statement explaining why you believe you match the essential criteria listed below, describing the experience or transferable skills you possess. All applications without a supporting statement / information will be declined.

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, in Chelmsford, 1 days per week, with the remaining time allowing for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation’s need.

Interview Date: W/C the 23rd of February 2026

To read more about us, please visit: https://workingforessex.com/careers-in-procurement

The Procurement Officer will play a key role in supporting the Procurement function across a broad range of activities, within the Economy, Capital and Indirect Services procurement team. The role will contribute to the effective delivery of projects for housing & construction, facilities management, sustainable growth and indirect services.

Key responsibilities include managing and responding to supplier and contractor enquiries, supporting market engagement and pre‑market activities, and providing contract administration across projects. The role will also assist with lower‑value sourcing, tendering, and contract management tasks, ensuring compliance with procurement regulations and framework governance.

The Procurement Officer will help produce research and analysis to inform category strategies, including supply chain insights, cost analysis, and opportunities for improved supplier or framework performance. The individual will actively identify ways to streamline processes, reduce waste, and introduce technologies or automation where possible, while remaining compliant with existing contractual and framework constraints.

Success in the role will rely on strong analytical skills and the ability to explore alternative solutions that meet stakeholder needs across construction, development, and housing delivery projects. This is an excellent opportunity for someone wanting to build specialist expertise in public‑sector procurement while supporting meaningful development programmes across Essex.

Accountabilities

Manage responses to supplier queries, co-ordinating the support to market engagement events and providing contract administration.
Lead on the delivery and development of contract and supplier amendment and update processes including, contract novations, price uplifts and on boarding new suppliers to ECC, liaising with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate.
Manage contracts to ensure that performance standards are achieved and any contractual, commercial or market risks are identified and appropriate mitigations put in place.
Deal effectively with supplier correspondence, ensuring that messaging is conducted in a fair, transparent and auditable manner.
Lead the delivery of low risk sourcing processes, ensuring compliance with the Authority’s Procurement Policy and Procedures.
Lead the development, planning, and delivery of improvement projects, ensuring effective stakeholder management and compliance with existing contractual requirements.
Adopt a continuous improvement approach to systems and processes to support the development of best practice for wider department benefit.
Plan and implement a risk-based programme of contract compliance audits in conjunction with specialist areas of the organisation such as Internal Audit, Corporate Health and Safety, Corporate Risk, and Information Governance.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential Criteria

Demonstrates a positive and proactive approach, with a strong work ethic and a “can‑do” attitude.
Problem‑solving mindset, with the ability to explore alternative solutions that meet internal customer needs.
Detail‑focused, with a strong commitment to accuracy, compliance, and auditability.
Strong relationship-building skills, able to work collaboratively with colleagues across capital delivery, housing development, and project management teams.

Desirable Criteria

Proficient in Microsoft Excel, with solid working knowledge of PowerPoint and Word.
Studying for, or willing to study for, CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) accreditation.
Experience of running low‑value tenders, with a working knowledge of public sector procurement law.
Experience in managing lower‑value contracts, monitoring performance, and mitigating risks.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email daniel.warner@essex.gov.uk

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