Procurement Support Assistant

Business Support Assistant - Procurement

Closing date: 07 July 2026

Fixed-term contract until 31/03/2027

Salary: £24,796- £25,185 per annum.

Role summary

You’ll be providing general administrative support to the procurement service at Somerset Council.

The Commercial and Procurement Team is looking for an ambitious individual who will operate within a complex and dynamic team to ensure the provision of a prompt, sustainable and professional service to our internal customers. You will be part of a collaborative and professional team that helps drive through the Councils vision.

As an Administrator you will be a crucial part of our Procure to Pay process and supporting the delivery of the Council’s Procurement strategy.  You will liaise with our Procurement professionals and internal customers to support the progress of compliant purchasing within the authority to ensure that all sourcing satisfies external legislative requirements and our own internal governance standards.

What you’ll do - key responsibilities

• Demonstrate initiative, organising and prioritising skills in providing general administrative support to the procurement service.
• Provide a support service and maintain an understanding of service activities.
• Examples of administrative duties may include: Compile and revise documents, prepare material for presentation, coordinate diaries, and take notes at meetings.
• Work with accuracy, identify errors and make corrections where appropriate.
• Act as a first point of contact and provide information to clients, suppliers and the public.

What we’re looking for – knowledge, experience & skills

Essential

• Sound working knowledge of IT systems including Microsoft 365.
• Experience of working in an administrative role and within a team.
• Experience of communicating with members of the public face-to-face and via telephone, letter and email.
• Experience of handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Experience of minute taking.
• Experience of using client management systems and spreadsheets.
• Minimum NVQ level 2 standard/5 GCSEs, English and Maths, at Grade 4 or above with good standards of literacy, numeracy and accuracy.
• Good organisational skills.
• The ability to prioritise conflicting work demands and have a flexible approach.
• The ability to follow agreed processes to ensure consistency is provided.
• The ability to produce high standards of accurate work and to work to deadlines.
• Ability to speak fluent English as stated in Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016).

Additional Information  

This is a fixed-term contract covering a period of maternity leave, until 31/03/2027.

This is a full-time role working 37 hours a week.

25 days of annual leave (additional to bank holidays)

Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Jonathan Warr at Jonathan.warr@somerset.gov.uk

Full job description:  AG0251 Business Support Assistant Generic FINAL.pdf