IT Purchasing Officer

Job details

Department

Digital Solutions and Services

Responsible to

IT Purchasing and Operations Manager

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Salary

£26,363 to £28,827 (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £32,838 per annum)

Closing date

Tuesday 2 April 2024

Contract type

Fixed term contract 24 Months

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework .

Reference

0009-24-R

About the role

Do you enjoy providing an excellent service, and supporting digital solutions? Are you a conscientious individual who can help team members when needed? If so, we want to hear from you!

We are seeking a proactive and skilled IT Purchasing Officer to join our IT Purchasing and Operations team, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless operation of Digital Solutions & Services (DS&S) at the University. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate a profound understanding of business operations, financial management, and procurement strategies within a large and complex environment.

As an IT Purchasing Officer, you will collaborate closely with the IT Purchasing and Operations Manager and the University’s Procurement function to implement and enhance the overall IT procurement strategy. 

Your responsibilities will include planning, managing, and delivering multimillion-pound IT maintenance spend categories while ensuring compliance with public procurement legislation, internal regulations, and ethical standards. 

Additionally, you will actively contribute to the financial management of the department, fostering a culture of financial best practices and excellent service delivery.

If you are seeking a meaningful, impactful, and stimulating career, we welcome you to apply.

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact IT Purchasing and Operations Manager – Jo Kearley via [email protected]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected]

Principal accountabilities

Work with the IT Purchasing and Operations Manager and the University’s Procurement function to deliver the overall IT procurement strategy.

Assist in the planning, management and delivery of the multimillion-pound IT maintenance spend category to ensure compliance with public procurement legislation and our own internal regulations, delivery of best value and savings and to ensure contractual obligations are met in a sustainable and ethical fashion.

Support the IT Purchasing and Operations Manager in day-to-day activities involved in managing the IT Maintenance budget and Software purchases.

Act as the senior point of contact within the department regarding financial matters, promote financial best practices, provide guidance and support in the use of the finance system.

Take responsibility for co-ordinating, monitoring and developing the day-to-day purchasing activities, processes, and systems.

Ensure all work is recorded and processed in accordance with University financial procedures and regulations.

Undertake project work as required to develop service levels and improve systems and efficiency within the Team.

Employ a range of IT skills (including spreadsheets, E-mail, internet, databases and the University finance systems) in order to manage and progress own and others workloads efficiently.

Represent the team at both internal and external committees and groups as required.

Be an active team member including organising, attending and participating in team meetings, finance forums and staff development/training events as appropriate.

Adopt central management information systems wherever possible to maintain and develop local records to provide efficient and effective support.  Ensure that all staff are fully knowledgeable and trained in the use of relevant systems.

Liaise with University Project Managers on the provision of project allocation, cost budgets, need by schedules etc. for required parts and services/works and budget reporting.

Implement and deliver a high standard of customer care in all duties undertaken.

Assist with research and routes to markets for procurement, manage relationships with suppliers, monitor contractual performance and ensure opportunities for continual improvement are explored and implemented.

Ensure all purchases are completed efficiently and in accordance with the University’s financial regulations.

Assist in the daily and long-term strategic management of software and technology-related hardware within the University. This includes recording software licenses and hardware assets to ensure compliance with supplier contracts and regulatory requirements.

Co-ordinate gathering information required for internal and external audits, compliance reviews, metrics gathering and other similar exercises.

Person specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications

• GCSE Maths (Grade A-C) and English (Grade A-C) or equivalent
• A Levels or equivalent e.g. BTEC, HND
• Advanced IT Qualification, e.g. ECDL, CLAIT, GCSE IT or equivalent experience

Experience

• A proven record of success in an administrative/financial supervisory position.
• Proven experience of managing a varied and demanding workload, including planning effectively, prioritising work and meeting deadlines for self and a team.
• Proven experience of managing projects to meet specified deadlines.
• Experience of working in the HE sector.

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Evidence of problem solving and co-ordinating administrative tasks.
• Knowledge of IT, AV systems and Software.
• Evidence of creating and using spreadsheets and databases, email, and the internet in an administrative context.
• Evidence of working to procedures and of systems development.
• Evidence of working with budgets.
• The ability to establish and maintain a professional working relationship with staff at all levels across the University.
• A high standard of literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
• The ability to develop, implement and manage financial and administrative systems that meet the needs of the team and a changing environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly with internal and external customers and colleagues in order to achieve common outcomes.
• The ability to produce management information statistics in report or other forms.
• Team player.
• Ability to use initiative and be proactive when dealing with a range of issues and problems.
• The ability to respond creatively and positively to change.
• Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
• Forward thinking with a willingness to enhance and develop skills of self and others.

Business requirements

• Ability to be flexible within the working pattern to meet the business needs.
• Willingness and able to travel and work at other sites or locations if necessary.

Benefits

As well as competitive pay scales, we offer generous holiday entitlement. We also offer opportunities for further salary progression based on performance, and the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme.

Find out more about pay and benefitsFind out more about pay and benefits

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

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If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at [email protected] .

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

Important information

Please note that unfortunately, this role will not attract sufficient points to obtain a sponsored Skilled Worker visa under the UK Visas & Immigration points based immigration system; however, applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK, but who would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route..

Please consult the Home office website for further information.

What is Adaptive Working?

Adaptive working is about enabling a high-performing, flexible, and responsive work culture where the place, time, and manner of working are tailored to the specific work activity. This approach ensures that the working environment, including both physical and social surroundings, supports employees to perform at their best and meet the university’s evolving needs.

In addition, adaptive working involves intentionally designing workspaces to support a range of activities and disciplines, providing the right environment for meaningful in-person connections and effective collaboration. This includes ensuring that employees have access to the necessary equipment and resources from their first day at the university.

Adaptive working encompasses different modes of working such as site-based, remote or hybrid working. It is a broad framework within which all staff can operate effectively according to their role.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

A university that celebrates youA university that celebrates you

Further details

Download IT Procurement Officer job descriptionDownload IT Procurement Officer job description

Why join Derby?

Challenging, interesting and constantly changing, the University of Derby is an extraordinary place to learn and an incredibly rewarding place to work.

Find out more about working at the UniversityFind out more about working at the University

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.