An exciting opportunity has arisen for a new role within Procurement Services as an Early Payment Co-ordinator on an initial 2-year Fixed-Term Contract basis (with an opportunity for the position to become permanent).The successful candidate will be joining the team at an exciting time. Procurement Services recently launched its latest Procurement Strategy 2025-2030, with a focus on supporting SMEs in the tendering process, and is at the heart of the ongoing economic and social development of the city, including supporting plans for Very Light Rail (“VLR”) and City Centre South developments. Procurement Services are also integral to the improvement of services for Adults and Children's Social Care, Public Health and Homelessness strategies.We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create an inclusive workplace culture, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.Our ValuesIn line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.Our Values are:Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.What is the job role?Reporting to the Deputy Head of Procurement and working collaboratively with Accounts Payable and the Procurement Systems team, you will be responsible for developing and promoting the Council's Early Payment programme by disseminating best practice and communicating its benefits to colleagues and suppliers. The Early Payment programme has been operating for 6 years, and we are now looking for the right candidate to help it reach the next level.By employing a continuous improvement methodology and change management techniques, you will be promoting best practice and onboarding suppliers and new market sectors onto the programme.The role includes:Developing and promoting the Council's Early Payment programme to maximise revenue to the CouncilMonitoring incoming invoices to ensure payments are actioned promptlyAssisting the Procurement Systems Manager and Accounts Payable Manager on the implementation and automation of systems to continually drive the efficiency of the programmeDeveloping training and dissemination of best practice throughout the authority to maximise income from rebatesDeveloping training material and templates to support the Early Payment programmeDeveloping relationships and engaging with suppliers to promote the understanding and benefits of the Early Payment programmeSupporting the Deputy Head of Procurement in strategy development.Who are we looking for?We are looking for applicants who are motivated, commercially minded and are able to work independently and as part of a team. You will be able to demonstrate change/project management experience along with an understanding of the procurement and procure-to-pay cycle.Good working knowledge of Microsoft Applications (including Excel and PowerPoint), strong IT skills and experience of Accounts Payable processes, collating and analysing data and creating reports are all fundamental to the role.Knowledge of public sector tendering processes is desirable, but this is not essential as full training will be given. Having a desire to learn, an eye for detail and the ability to communicate and influence at all levels of the organisation are key personal attributes.As this is a new position, there is some flexibility to make the role your own.If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you. Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:Members of the Armed Forces and veteransAre currently in care or have previously been in careIf you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health conditionFor full details on the application process please read the attached document labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.Interview dates: 05-06 March 2026 About CoventryCoventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change. We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse. At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things. To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities. If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies