Role Procurement Specialist (internally known as Procurement Manager)
Location: Tresham College - Kettering Campus
Salary/Benefits: Salary is between £41,086 and £47,971 per annum DOE and Qualifications, 27 days annual leave plus Bank holidays, People's pension, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.
Hours/Weeks: 37 hours per week - 52 weeks per year
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time
This is a
UK based contract, and you are required to have the
Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we're unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.
About the role: We are currently seeking a Procurement Specialist to join our Finance department at The Bedford College Group
. As a Procurement Specialist, you play an important role in the success of our students through:
- Manage the procurement activities of The Bedford College Group, ensuring compliance with procurement regulations and internal policies.
- Develop and implement procurement approaches that deliver value for money and support sustainability goals, in line with agreed practices.
- Manage supplier relationships and lead contract negotiations to secure favourable terms.
- Monitor procurement performance and identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
- Provide guidance and training to staff on procurement processes and systems
- Maintain the contracts database and keep records accurate and up to date.
About you: - Professional & Academic Qualifications - CIPS Level 5-6 (or working towards) and GCSEs in English and Maths (Grade A-C) or equivalent.
- Procurement Expertise - Proven experience in public sector procurement under PCR 2023, including tenders, frameworks, contract negotiation, and supplier management.
- Technical & Analytical Skills - Strong understanding of procurement law, financial analysis, KPIs, and systems; proficient in Excel and data tools for decision-making.
- Communication & Leadership - Skilled in presenting, training, and advising non-specialists; confident influencer with excellent written and verbal communication.
- Organisation & Compliance - Highly organised, detail-oriented, able to work independently, meet deadlines, and committed to safeguarding, EDI, and flexible working.
For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.
Interviews to be held: Week commencing 8th December 2025
Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisational
VISION values:
- Valuing Teamwork - We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
- Improving Continuously - We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
- Student Centred - At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
- Inclusive - We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
- Open and Caring - We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
- Nurturing Education Excellence - We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.
About The Bedford College Group The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year.
Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire:"Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and"Tresham"College"in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough;"Shuttleworth"College,"a specialist land-based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form, (opened in September 2023); and the National College for Motorsport"alongside"Silverstone"race circuit."To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.
Safeguarding our Students The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group's policy on Employment of Ex-Offenders is attached to this vacancy.
Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.
