Our client, based in central Tunbridge Wells, is looking for a Procurement Officer to join their team on a temporary basis.
You will be reporting to the Development Director, and the purpose of your role will be to ensure all goods and services procured by the organisation are Value for Money, and that policies and legislation are complied with.

Your responsibilities will be:

* To manage, develop and promote best procurement practice, including EU compliance frameworks

* Providing a procurement service that will create commercial savings in the total costs of key goods and services procured

* To lead on procurement activity and contract management ensuring continuous improvement and excellent customer service

* Provide guidance and advice on procurement practices to the Group

* To continuously develop and implement a procurement strategy and work with Managers to implement across Town and Country

* To analyse existing procurement arrangements and develop robust contractual arrangements and competitive procedures, which protect Town and Country's position and ensure value for money

* To implement a continuous procurement improvement programme across the supplier base to achieve improvements in reliability, adaptability and price and that goods and services are procured in an efficient and timely manner

* To provide expert advice on, and ensure compliance with, UK and EU legislation, regulation and case law relating to procurement and the engagement of suppliers and contractors

* To develop models of best practice with regard to probity, efficiency and effectiveness within the procurement process

* To develop a range of core specifications, contract forms and service agreements, which can be adapted for widespread use

* To identify potential suppliers/partners and prepare, obtain and analyse quotations/tenders

* To negotiate contracts and instigate the development of partnership arrangements with preferred suppliers

* To manage relationships between key and major suppliers and internal staff

* To ensure preferred suppliers/partners understand and focus on the organisation's corporate strategy, growth and profitability requirements

* To brief relevant employees on procurement process, following appointment of preferred suppliers/partners

* To provide feedback on key procurement issues impacting the business

* To review and monitor supplier performance and report to the Executive Management Team

* To ensure the production of, and regular reporting of, accurate progress against KPIs to the Executive Management Team

* To ensure monthly and statutory reports are completed in a timely fashion.

The ideal temporary Procurement Officer will:

Be educated to degree level
Have advanced Excel skills
Have a proven ability to understand and interpret financial information
Have experience of working in Procurement, in a public sector

You must:

Demand quality and excellence in meeting customer needs and expectations.
Be able to work innovatively and creatively.
Be able to represent the organisation externally with key stakeholders such as Government agencies, Local Authorities and partner agencies.
Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of people.
Have good analytical skills.
Have excellent time management skills, and the ability to work in a methodical and organised way, ensuring deadlines are adhered to.
Have excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
Have good attention to detail.
Be self managing.

The hours are 8.30am - 5pm, and part time hours could be considered. This is an immediate start.