Procurement Officer

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Commercial & Procurement team and play an important role that makes a real difference to our communities. The Commercial & Procurement team is a proactive and consultative team that supports a range of directorates. We ensure the Council's commercial arrangements and contracts deliver value for money for Dorset residents.

This role is currently aligned to a Core Services Business Partner position, acting as a procurement advisor for corporate services across Dorset Council. You will support procurement activity across services including Finance, Revenues and Benefits, ICT, HR, Customer Experience, Governance and Transformation. You will lead the commissioning and delivery of high-value, complex procurement projects in line with the Procurement Act 2023.

The role also offers flexibility, with opportunities to support other directorates where required and contribute to wider priorities as Dorset Council evolves. Reorganisation is currently taking place across the Council, which may change the focus of the role. This makes it an exciting time to join the team and contribute during a period of transformation.

Candidates with a strong track record in public sector procurement, including delivering open tenders and framework call-offs, and a good comprehension of procurement regulations will be prioritised for interview. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute effectively from day one. We also welcome applications from candidates with broader experience in compliance, tendering and contract management.

You will oversee a range of procurement activities from initiation through to contract management. You will help ensure services are cost-effective, sustainable and aligned with the Council's objectives.

You will have excellent communication and negotiation skills, along with the ability to build positive relationships with a range of stakeholders. You will be confident using ICT systems, ideally including the Proactis ProContract e-tendering system, and have strong Microsoft 365 skills, including Teams, Outlook, Word and Excel.

You will have strong attention to detail and be able to manage and prioritise several procurement projects at the same time.

You will act as a key point of contact for a variety of procurement activities across multiple service areas, providing support and advice to officers throughout the procurement process.

What you will be doing

• Manage tender processes for directorate-specific requirements, ensuring best practice.
• Provide support and guidance to stakeholders.
• Offer procurement and commercial advice to officers and suppliers.
• Support stakeholders in achieving their strategic objectives.
• Promote and support a commercially minded approach across the Council.

• Effective communication skills, with the ability to engage a range of stakeholders internally and externally.
• Experience of working with suppliers, including supplier relationship management and contract management.
• Knowledge of procurement practices.
• Awareness of public sector procurement regulations and procedures.
• Project management skills, with the ability to command projects effectively.
• A solution-focused approach and strong attention to detail.

Join us and be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team where your expertise will help shape the future and ensure our procurement practices deliver the best outcomes for our communities.

Whilst work travel has reduced considerably due to the use of virtual meetings, there may be occasions when travel is needed. 

This is a hybrid role, with a balance of remote working and office working (Dorchester), depending on business and project requirements. The initial expectation is that there would normally be a minimum of one working day a week in the office for the first six months in order to build relationships. 

• Internal applications closing date: 25/08/2026
• Stage 1 online interviews:10/09/2026
• Stage 2 in-person interviews:15/09/2026
• Intention to notify candidates by: 18/09/2026.

If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact [email protected] and 01305 221250. 

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

• provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.