​

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.

​