Paid for support (training, examinations, study-leave, textbooks and other associated study materials) to complete Level 4 CIPS Diploma, Level 5 CIPS Advanced Diploma, and Level 6 MCIPS Professional Diploma, in order to become a fully qualified Procurement professional.
A mentor to guide you through the scheme, and a buddy to support your induction.
Employee support networks, to ensure everyone in treated with dignity and respect
Our People Plan 2021-2025 seeks to invest in our people, with a focus on diversity, equality and inclusion, collaboration and continuously understanding how to upskill our workforce.
The opportunity to contribute to the Essex community and be proud of the impact of your work.
Wider training and development opportunities; including Yellow Belt Six Sigma and Carbon Literacy accreditation.
Fulfil a planned programme of rotations across some of the many categories within the Procurement function: Corporate; Economy & Investment; Climate, Environment & Customer Services; Adults with Disabilities; Older People.
Conduct robust research and analysis to ensure category plans are relevant, useful, and informative. Use these plans to create short, medium, and long-term strategies and action plans for individual categories.
Remain up to date with market conditions, shaping markets to achieve organisational goals and responding to change efficiently.
Lead the delivery of sourcing processes, ensuring compliance with the Authority's Procurement Policy and Procedures.
Manage contracts and top tier suppliers to ensure that performance standards are achieved and any contractual, commercial or market risks are identified; to ensure appropriate mitigations are put in place
Support the Strategy and Assurance team to develop policies and procedures that promote cross-functional, best practice ways of working.

Ideally, we are seeking applicants with a degree in a relevant subject, but we will consider strong applicants irrespective of the degree subject.
Ideally, we are seeking applicants with GCSEs Grade A-C (4 and up) in both English & Maths (or international equivalent), but if you do not have these you will be required to complete functional skills in these subjects.
Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels.
Ability to contribute to proposals and decisions.
Ability to work cooperatively with others to successfully achieve tasks and deliver results.
Willing to assist in developing solutions to tackle problems and achieving outcomes.
Ability to build relationships with others, both internally and externally to the organisation.
Working knowledge and understanding of Microsoft office packages.
Willing to study toward CIPS Level 4 and Level 5 diplomas, with the opportunity to go on to study for Level 6 and gain MCIPS accreditation.
Educated to RQF Level 6 (or expecting to graduate by Summer 2025) with a 2:1 in any subject OR a 2:2 with extenuating circumstances. Please detail any extenuating circumstances on your application for our screening team to assess AND
A minimum of two A-Levels Grade A-C (or international equivalent) OR a CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations AND
The right to work and study in England
Have been ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for three years before the apprenticeship start date., Please note that any offer made is conditional to you being able to provide all your qualification certificates. If you have international equivalent qualifications a NARIC Statement of Comparability must be provided; if you do not already hold one you can purchase online Statement of Comparability (enic.org.uk)

Are you a Graduate, or will be graduating in Summer 2025? Do you want to make a real difference in our local community? Are you business-minded and ready to join one of the largest councils in the UK? Would you like to become a crucial part of a friendly and high-achieving team? If so, this could be the opportunity you are looking for!, Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK and we look after a large and diverse geographical region of the country.

Competitive starting salary with incremental salary increases
Healthy work life balance.
Flexible working (location and time) as standard so that you can achieve the right work/life balance. Please note, there will sometimes be days that you are required to attend in person, such as team office days and away days.
Wide range of learning and development opportunities
IT equipment and home-working equipment supplied
26 days annual leave + bank holidays + ability to buy further annual leave days should you wish to (subject to approval)
Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme
Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Reward
Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with Vita Health Group
Disability Confident Leader: we are committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job