Procurement Officer

Details of Service

Service Overview:

A unique opportunity to implement strategic procurement compliance and excellence.

The organisation is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and proactive Procurement Officer to play a pivotal role in establishing and embedding procurement best practice across the organisation and managing the procurement function going forward.

This is a unique opportunity for a motivated professional to influence value for money, stewardship, and corporate compliance through the consistent application of procurement policy, procedures, and education.

We are looking for a candidate with strong leadership capabilities in procurement who can champion, guide, and sustain organisation-wide adherence to evolving procurement standards and ensure the delivery of a robust and transparent procurement function. Fundamental to this role is the promotion of procurement excellence through education and training, enhanced documentation, active policy implementation tracking, better use of the Purchase 2 Pay system, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Reporting Relationship:

Head of General Services & Capital Projects

Key Working Relationships:

Head of General Services & Capital Projects

Head of Finance

SMT

Internal Auditor

Project Co-ordinator

Third Party Suppliers (OGP & others as appropriate)

Qualifications/Experience

Essential

• A relevant primary degree or equivalent (NFQ Level 7 minimum).

• A strong working knowledge of Irish & EU public procurement legislation, policy, and best practices, with proven experience in implementation and oversight.

• Experience in management and operation of EU public procurement and decentralised purchasing.

• Proficiency in MS Office, especially Word and Excel.

• Demonstrated experience in people management and the ability to work collaboratively across functions and teams.

Desirable

• Experience leading or supporting organisation-wide improvement or compliance initiatives.

• Knowledge of Irish & EU Public Procurement Guidelines and relevant Government Circulars.

• Familiarity with the Irish Office of Government Procurement (OGP) frameworks and systems, and familiarity with eTenders process and systems, or equivalent.

Person Specification

• Demonstrated ability to educate, guide, and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills, with the ability to simplify complex regulations for non-expert audiences.

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise work to deliver within deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• A commitment to professional development in procurement and purchasing.

• A proactive mindset with a strong commitment to quality, detail, and governance.

• Demonstrated understanding and experience of delivering good stewardship and accountability in the management of public resources within a public sector context.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of General Services and Capital Projects, the successful candidate will provide expert oversight and operational management of the organisation’s procurement framework, while also acting as a driver of change in procurement knowledge, engagement, and compliance across all levels of decision authority.

• Manage the organisation-wide implementation of procurement policy and best practice, ensuring consistency, clarity, and adherence at all decision-making levels.

• Manage the procurement functions on an ongoing basis.

• Design and deliver targeted procurement education initiatives to improve procurement expertise across the organisation, particularly for staff with procurement responsibilities or delegated authority.

• Maintain, track, and report on implementation progress, identifying gaps in compliance or capability and leading responsive actions.

• Continuously review and enhance procurement documentation, guidance materials, and templates to support best practice.

• Promote a culture of value for money, probity, and responsible stewardship in all procurement activities.

• Ensure procurement is fully aligned with applicable legislation, the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, and Public Procurement Guidelines for goods, services, and works.

• Act as the procurement advisor for the organisation, advising and supporting managers and teams in the development and evaluation of procurement exercises and related documentation (e.g., RFQs, RFTs).

• Advise staff on appropriate methods of procurement with reference to procurement thresholds, relevant legislation, applicable timelines, and organisational policies and procedures.

• Manage relevant purchasing contracts, monitor supplier performance, and ensure sustainable supplier relationships that support long-term value and risk mitigation.

• Maintain and update the organisation’s Procurement Policy, ensuring it reflects legislative changes and best practice guidance.

• Develop and maintain a dynamic Contracts Database, tracking durations, extensions, compliance, and value thresholds.

• Act as the central point of contact for all procurement and purchasing-related queries, records, and reporting.

• Establish, oversee, and strengthen the organisation’s purchasing function.

• Drive the organisation’s Green Procurement initiatives, ensuring alignment with national sustainability and CO₂ emission reduction targets.

• Support the development and execution of value-for-money reviews and consult with internal auditors to ensure procurement integrity.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, identifying innovations and efficiencies in procurement systems and practices.

• Manage the supplier approval process.

• Use the Purchase 2 Pay system to report procurement compliance.

• Monitor operations for areas of purchasing and procurement non-compliance.

• Assist and support above-threshold procurement competitions, including but not limited to evaluations, contract execution, regulatory reports, post-tender communications, liaising with relevant stakeholders, and transitioning to new suppliers.

• Maintain and optimise procurement processes to ensure continued compliance, cost-efficiency, and alignment with organisational goals.

• Manage supplier relationships and performance, including contract oversight, negotiations, and resolution.

• Monitor procurement legislation, trends, and risks, providing strategic insights and ensuring continuous improvement in purchasing activities.

• Support and lead evolving procurement-related projects and initiatives in line with the organisation’s strategic direction, ensuring the role adapts to emerging needs and priorities.

• The post holder will be expected to live the CRC values of person-centredness, respect, quality, collaboration, courage, and stewardship.

• Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the values of the CRC.

These duties and responsibilities are a reflection of the service requirements and may be subject to review and amendment by your line manager to meet the needs of the emerging service. The post holder will be expected to contribute to the development of the post while in office.