Job Description
3 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• Interim Senior Procurement Officer required to lead urgent and complex procurements within Highways and Transport for Dorset Council.
• The role focuses on delivering high-value contracts including school transport, public transport, and highway operational services.
• The postholder will provide expert procurement advice within a local government “Place” context, ensuring compliance, value for money, and timely delivery.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Lead and manage end-to-end procurement processes for highways and transport contracts.
• Deliver strategic procurements including school transport, public transport, highway frameworks, and operational service contracts.
• Ensure full compliance with UK public procurement regulations, the Procurement Act 2023, and local authority standing orders.
• Prepare tender documentation and manage supplier engagement, evaluation, and contract award processes.
• Advise internal stakeholders on procurement strategy, risk, governance, and contract compliance.
• Support the development and management of frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems (DPS).
• Maintain accurate procurement records to support audit, transparency, and governance requirements.
• Provide expert procurement guidance and support to internal teams across the Place directorate.
Skills/Experience:
• Proven experience in public sector procurement, ideally within a local authority environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023.
• Experience managing high-value, complex procurements within highways, transport, or infrastructure.
• Sound understanding of NEC contract forms.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Experience advising senior stakeholders on procurement strategy and risk.
• Immediate availability and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• MCIPS or equivalent procurement qualification (desirable).
• Familiarity with e-tendering platforms and contract management systems (desirable).
Additional Information:
• The closing date: 26/02/2026.
• Location: Dorset (hybrid working – minimum 2 days per week in the office).
• Contract: Interim, 3 months.
• Working hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week.
• Day rate: £500 per day.
• Start date: Immediate.
• Travel to Dorset Council offices required weekly.
• Previous local government experience essential.
Requirements
• Proven experience in public sector procurement, ideally within a local authority environment. • Strong knowledge of UK procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023. • Experience managing high-value, complex procurements within highways, transport, or infrastructure. • Sound understanding of NEC contract forms. • Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and meet tight deadlines. • Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills. • Experience advising senior stakeholders on procurement strategy and risk. • Immediate availability and ability to adapt to changing priorities. • MCIPS or equivalent procurement qualification (desirable). • Familiarity with e-tendering platforms and contract management systems (desirable).