Procurement Officer - Civil Aviation Authority

Procurement Officer 

Location: Gatwick, GB

Company: Civil Aviation Authority

Salary: £25,000 up to £30,000 dependent upon experience.

Contract Type: Permanent – Full time

Security Level: SC

We are the UK's aviation regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

An exciting role in Procurement has arisen for a Procurement Officer. This role will be responsible for purchasing low value goods and services for the CAA Group (CAA, CAA International and Air Safety Support International) to ensure that the company’s operational needs are met, considering price, quality, delivery and supply. This is a diverse role and will involve a variety of low value purchases, the management of suppliers, advising colleagues on the best approach to buying as well as administering the central email inbox, Procurement SharePoint site, Contracts Database and Dashboard. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to support other team members in larger spend projects.

Training will take place at Gatwick therefore there is a requirement to be more office based in the first couple of months thereafter, we would require weekly attendance to the Gatwick office (at least 1 day a week) with flexibility to attend other meetings as required by the business.

Working as part of a small operational team you will:

• Purchase goods and services in line with specified cost, quality, and delivery targets.
• Ensure all low value purchases are carried out in compliance with CAA’s Procurement Policy and purchase to pay process.
• Act as an interface between suppliers and internal CAA departments on purchasing processes and transactions.
• Prepare and raise purchase orders requested by the business.
• Contact suppliers to resolve price, quality, delivery, or invoice issues where required.
• Provide advice, guidance and training to internal colleagues on the use of CAA’s finance/procurement system (SAP Business by Design).
• Lead and manage the administration of the corporate credit card scheme including attendance to monthly supplier performance reviews.
• Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal colleagues.
• Actively lead the Procurement TEAMS channel to answer queries and provide updates.
• Monitor and manage a central Procurement email box.
• Build, maintain and manage supplier relationships and keep up good communications. Ensure that a professional and consistent approach is taken in relation to all supplier relationships.
• Undertake regular data maintenance activities within Business by Design (e.g., supplier details, reducing open purchase orders).
• Run and analyse spend data and reports to identify trends, savings and continuous improvement opportunities, including the use of CAA’s spend dashboard. 
• Manage any administration of the internal Procurement SharePoint site.
• Provide administrative support to the wider Procurement team on larger procurements, contracts, or renewals.
• Support the administration of the Procurement Contracts Database.
• Support the wider procurement team on projects that may also include the following activities:
  • Conduct market research for purchase requests.
  • Lead and manage low value quotation process including commercial evaluation.
  • Negotiate low value contracts, improve prices and terms and conditions with suppliers and review opportunities.

About You

To thrive in this role, you will need to be comfortable working independently. Additionally, you should be highly organised and able to take ownership of your own workload. Strong communication skills and interpersonal skills are essential as there will be high level interactions with CAA Colleagues.

Further proficiencies include:

• Member of the Charted Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or studying towards CIPS qualification- would be desirable.
• Previous experience working in a purchasing team preferably within a public sector environment.
• A good knowledge of purchasing, negotiation, commercial understanding, and cost breakdown.
• Able to add value, reduce costs and input to business improvements.
• Computer literature, SAP Business by Design experience would be beneficial.

What Can We Offer You?

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an interesting multi-category environment, interacting with a wide range of different stakeholders at all levels of the organisation. You will be working within a small and friendly team where there are always opportunities to collaborate on procurements and share knowledge. If you are motivated by a dynamic work environment, then this is a great role for you.

Additional Information

For many roles within the CAA will require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance. For this role, you will need to be vetted to SC level.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on CTC and SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Working With Us

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Hybrid working is available upon business requirements, this can be discussed at the interview.

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: 19th April 2024

Interview Date: w/c 22nd and 29th April 2024

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.

Job Segment: Procurement, Administrative Assistant, Market Research, Supply, Operations, Administrative, Marketing, Aviation