Category Specialist

Cardiff Council; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Cardiff is offering a permanent role as a Category Specialist. The successful candidate will support the procurement team in developing category plans and ensuring the accuracy of contract documentation. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills and could have public sector procurement experience, though it's not essential. This role also allows for hybrid working arrangements, combining office and remote work, all within a supportive environment focused on professional growth.

Benefits

Generous benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid working environment

Qualifications

• Experience in public sector procurement is preferred but not essential.
• Capability to develop category plans and sourcing strategies.
• Ability to ensure accuracy in documentation.

Responsibilities

• Support senior managers in designing and implementing procurement plans.
• Ensure completeness and timeliness of contract documentation.
• Advise service areas on procurement processes.

Skills

Communication skills

Procurement experience

Ability to work autonomously

Job description

Ardal is a new procurement collaboration across the four local authorities serving the people and communities of Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan. Annual spend on goods, services and works across the four authorities is over £1 billion per annum. Ardals procurement team is broken down into 5 operational teams being: Professional Services & ICT , Corporate & Transport , Social Care & Community Services , Building & Estates along with Highways, Waste & Parks.

As a result of strengthening our Category Teams, we have an exciting opportunity to join our award-winning team hosted by Cardiff Council as a Category Specialist.

The team supports the procurement and sourcing function for various categories of spend; the team also manages a variety of national collaborative frameworks including South East Wales Technical & Professional Services, South East & Mid Wales Collaborative Civil Engineering and Highways Construction Framework and others. The team covers a diverse area of services and welcomes applications from individuals who may have experience in procuring these types of goods, services, and works, or have experience and knowledge of these industries, although not essential.

About the job

The roles will be for enthusiastic individuals who have excellent communication skills and can demonstrate the requirements and experience detailed in the Person Specification. The main responsibilities and requirements of the roles are but not limited to:

• Support the Senior Category Manager, Category Manager and the Senior Category Specialist in the design, development and implementation of procurement category plans and sourcing strategies.
• Ensuring the completeness, accuracy and timeliness of tender and contract documentation within assigned categories.
• Support the delivery of target savings and for money within the assigned commodity and less complex categories and sub categories.
• Support Directorates in effectively implementing key activities within the approved strategic sourcing solutions.
• Provide advice and training to the Service Areas as required on any new or existing procurement processes in order to enable them to become intelligent customers.

What We Are Looking For From You

We are looking to appoint a self-motivated individual who might have procurement experience gained primarily from the public sector, although this is not essential, with experience that could be across a broad range of spend categories, or who is looking to develop a career within public sector procurement.

Additional information

The role is offered as a permanent position.

Working for the Ardal Team will act as a catalyst for continual professional development for the right individual and will offer exposure to several varied and innovative procurements with the necessary level of support - as we look to procure goods, services and works that meet the expectations of our citizens in terms of our economic recovery post COVID - 19, whilst addressing the climate emergency and the requirement to deliver a balanced budget.

A hybrid working environment with the ability and freedom to work on an agile basis both in the office at County Hall in Cardiff Bay and at home.

As the largest employer in Wales, Cardiff Council offers a generous and progressive package of benefits. For full details, please visit: www.jobscardiffcouncil.co.uk/why-work-for-us/?lang=en_GB.

This vacancy is suitable for post share.

We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.

Due to the current interim working arrangements, we are unable to provide recruitment packs or accept application forms via the post.

We understand you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, original and does not include ideas or work that is not your own.

The interview process for this role can be held virtually using an appropriate online platform or in person. If you have any concerns around your ability to participate in a virtual interview process please contact Alex Tombs for a discussion.

Additionally for an informal discussion, please contact: Alex Tombs (Category Manager – Corporate & Transport) – 07815 463657

Please note the Council does not accept CV’s. When completing the supporting information section of your application, please ensure you refer to the below located on our website :

Important information you need read in order to complete your application:-

Job Category Commissioning and Procurement

Department Resources

Working Pattern/Contract Type Full Time Permanent