Category Officer

Job Introduction

About Us

This is an exciting time for procurement at Oxfordshire County Council, with its service undergoing a significant transformation that will position it to deliver outstanding value to the councils and the communities it serves.

 As a part of the council’s transformation, the new design sets out a fundamentally different operating model and structure for how the Council will deliver Provision Cycle activities in the future, focusing on: 

• The establishment of a consolidated Procurement and Contract Management Hub to drive the professionalisation and consistency with which procurement and contract management activities are delivered as well as reducing fragmentation and duplication of effort.
• The implementation of a category led approach to managing spend in order to aid organisational wide decision making in relation to key areas of expenditure and break down historic service-based silos.
• Developing a single repository of contract and spend data that is trusted by all stakeholders and used to inform effective decision making in relation to third party spend.
• The establishment of effective, and appropriate governance relating to Council expenditure with third parties.
• Continuing to develop effective joint working across Oxfordshire County Council and other partners where this arises
• Implementing a future proofed model that can be quickly scaled based on increased spend/demand in a certain category, or new categories.

About the Role

The role of procurement and contract management is to support the Council and the wider public sector system in Oxfordshire, to deliver effective and consistent services and ensure that products and services purchased from suppliers represent value for money.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a central team, supporting colleagues across the organisation in commissioning services, letting and managing contracts, and ensuring compliance with new legislation. Your contribution will enhance how the organisation manages these key activities, with a focus on achieving value for money, reducing risk and ensuring high performing provision of services, that are tailored to our community’s needs. You’ll help to foster better understanding of what good practice looks like, and how well managed procurement and contract management can add real value to our work.

About you 

• You will meet the essential requirements as listed on the Person Specification.
• You will have excellent communication skills with internal and external stakeholders, with the ability to build strong working relationships.
• You will have excellent attention to detail with the ability to ensure your work is completed to the highest standard, adhering to legislation, best practice and Service procedures.
• You will have up-to-date practical knowledge and application if the legislative and regulatory framework which applies to public sector procurement.
• You will have good analytical and report writing skills, working frequently on spreadsheets and word documents.
• You will have a willingness to learn and be prepared to obtain at least level 4 CIPS qualification (funding through OCC).

Rewards and benefits

• Hybrid working with a need to be in the office in Oxford 1-2 times a month and these hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements
• Various cycling options including a tax-saving bike purchase scheme
• Up to 32 days annual leave each year
• Flexible working arrangements
• Relocation expenses of up to £8,000 for eligible new starters
• Family friendly schemes to help balance family commitments including generous maternity, paternity and support for carers and a tax-saving childcare voucher scheme.
• Good career opportunities
• Excellent pension scheme, with employer contributions of up to 20 per cent of salary
• Staff Discount Scheme for a range of retailers; holidays; insurance; eating out; health and leisure activities
• Discounts on rail and bus travel
• Continuing professional development - employees can develop their skills and knowledge through our online training platform.
• Coaching, workshops, mentoring, shadowing and support from social groups

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk