Purchasing Officer (Maternity Cover)

FTE: 1 fte (working 37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Fixed Term Contract – Maternity Leave Cover

Salary: UH5 £28,778 pa to £32,080 pa by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience

Annual Leave: 25 days pro rata plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: MacLaurin Building, Bishops Square, Hatfield 

This is a temporary position to cover the Maternity Leave of the existing Purchasing Officer within the STEMM category team within Procurement, this role ensures procurement policies and procedures are met by all colleagues, ensuring a consistent approach to purchasing across the institution. 

Post Length

The minimum period will be for an initial 8 months cover and will then be reviewed periodically with at least a month’s notice before coming to a close. 

Main duties and responsibilities

You will assess purchase requisitions presented by colleagues to ensure all necessary documentation is attached to the requisitions in the finance system and communicate to colleagues’ appropriate procedures for managing the acquisition of different goods and services. 

You will be the first line of support for issue resolution and purchase enquiries for colleagues e.g., handling product rejection, faulty deliveries, service failings etc. 

Skills and experience required

The successful candidate will be pro-active, customer-focused, and solutions-oriented, with good communication skills with an ability to engage professionally with all levels of staff within the University and individuals external to the institution. Proven substantial administrative experience in either a public sector or commercial environment covering a broad spectrum of business requirements and experience of working within procurement in higher education or the public sector is essential for this role.

You will be numerate with the ability to collect, process and present data in a clear and concise manner and have a methodical approach with high level of attention to detail and accuracy. The ability to balance conflicting priorities and to work efficiently on your own initiative as well as in a team is essential.

Qualifications required

A-levels or equivalent, or proven experience. Commitment to undertake procurement training as directed. Being Qualified to CIPS Diploma (Level 4) in Procurement and Supply is desirable.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work, or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work, before an offer is made. 

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Chris Newbery – Category Manager -  c.k.newbery@herts.ac.uk

Closing Date: 29 October 2025

Interview Date: November 2025

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts

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