Category Officer

Category Officer

Location: Oxford (hybrid – 1 day in office per month)
Contract: Initial 6-month assignment
Hours: 37 hours per week
Rate: £20 PAYE / £27 Umbrella (approx. £27/hr umbrella)


About the Role Oxfordshire County Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Category Officer to support procurement activity within our Children’s Services category. Reporting to the Category Manager for Children’s Services, you will be responsible for delivering a range of procurement and contract management projects from end to end, ensuring full compliance with public sector procurement legislation and local authority governance.

This role is ideal for a Procurement Assistant looking to take the next step into an Officer-level position, or an existing Officer seeking a new challenge within a supportive and fast-paced environment.

The role is predominantly remote, with attendance in the Oxford office required once a month for key meetings, workshops and training.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver end-to-end procurement activity with minimal supervision.
  
  
• Prepare tender documentation, manage tendering processes and support moderation.
  
  
• Manage contract monitoring, contract administration, and governance tasks.
  
  
• Respond quickly and effectively to procurement requests.
  
  
• Manage a busy inbox and handle RFQs promptly.
  
  
• Confidently manage compliance through to contract award.
  
  
• Undertake contract extensions and variations in line with Council governance.
  
  
• Finalise opening rounds of frameworks, moderate evaluations, issue letters, conduct due diligence, and ensure contract signature.
  
  
• Lead variations involving key stakeholders.
  
  
• Maintain accurate procurement and contract records.
  
  

Essential Skills & Experience

• MCIPS Level 4 (or equivalent) – mandatory.
  
  
• Procurement Act 2023 Assessment completed.
  
  
• Significant experience in public sector procurement, particularly Children’s Services and Education categories.
  
  
• Demonstrable ability to run end-to-end procurement processes independently.
  
  
• Strong understanding of contract management principles.
  
  
• Experience using Atamis and ProContract procurement systems.
  
  
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to respond quickly and manage competing priorities.
  
  
• Strong communication skills and confidence dealing with stakeholders at all levels.
  
  

Desirable Experience

• Direct experience within Children’s Services procurement and contract management.
  
  
• Familiarity working within Local Authority governance frameworks.
  
  

Working Arrangements

• Hybrid role: predominantly remote working.
  
  
• Expected 1 day per month in the Oxford office for meetings/training/workshops.
  
  
• Flexible working is supported, however core hours between 8am–6pm Monday–Friday must be covered.
  
  

How to Apply If you have the required procurement experience and are looking for an opportunity to step into a Category Officer role within a high-performing public sector team, we would love to hear from you.