Welcome to the North East Jobs Thursday Spotlight page, your weekly focus of just some of the fantastic positions available across our region.

Each week, we highlight some of the best new vacancies listed on our site and profile 3 jobs on this page.

We also speak to people from different local councils and public sector organisations from around the North East each week to find out more about what it's like to work in the public sector.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS 

This week, we have spoken to Joanne Leask from Sunderland City Council. Joanne is a Senior Category Manager in Sunderland's Corporate Procurement team. We asked 3 questions and she has kindly provided the following answers for us:

1. What attracted you to working in your current role?

"I've worked within local government procurement for many years. Seeing so many innovative projects taking place within Sunderland, I was inspired to be part of Sunderland Council's Procurement Team.

I've always enjoyed the collaborative aspect of working within procurement and the opportunity to meet new people and learn about who they are and what they do. This role offers a diverse portfolio to work with our wider council team and wider stakeholders and suppliers".

2. What has been your biggest challenge to date?

"There's a strong focus on delivering value for money whilst also considering the wider impacts on our community, including supporting local suppliers and promoting social value considerations. Whilst this can be challenging at times, its great to see the outcomes achieved".

3. What has been your most satisfying outcome of the role?

"My answer probably seems a little corny, but I think the team that I'm partied to, it's an amazing team with a wealth of knowledge and experience. There's always someone available with experience and advice to assist when needed.

It's also clear to see outcomes first hand and the benefits procurement activities deliver. This includes benefits to our local community, ensuring that public funds are spent efficiently and effectively. It's rewarding to see these outcomes from construction and highway projects right through to the services delivered. Procurement activities touch all aspects of local authority service delivery".

A big thank you to Joanne for sharing her thoughts with us! For anyone interested in a career in procurement, take a look at the next section below as there are a couple of vacancies relating to procurement currently being advertised alongside some non-procurement vacancies!

THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT

Procurement Category Officer - Sunderland City Council
Salary: £32,654 - £44,711 • Closing date: 16th December

Sunderland City Council is seeking a Procurement Category Officer to join their Corporate Procurement function. This is a great opportunity to start your career in procurement. You'll work flexibly supporting the Work Programme across various contracts and categories assisting the Category Managers within the team. You'll develop and implement procurement reports to determine the optimal route to market for a diverse range of contract opportunities within agreed resources and timescales.
Click here to find out more and apply

Procurement Sourcing Officer - Newcastle City Council
Salary: £31,586 - £34,314 • Closing date: 19th December

As a Sourcing Officer within the Design, Commissioning and Procurement Team  you’ll play a vital role in helping us deliver change across the agenda for babies, children, young people and families – from sourcing residential or fostering placements for children who need them, putting in place specialist education placements for children with additional needs, to ensuring that our payments to provider partners run smoothly.
Click here to find out more and apply

Programme Manager (Child Poverty Reduction) - North East Combined Authority
Salary: £53,880.56 - £57,235.65 • Closing date: 20th December

The North East Combined Authority are looking for a Programme Manager to join their Skills, Inclusion and Public Service Reform directorate, working within the Public Service Innovation team within the newly formed Child Poverty Reduction Unit to develop and implement flagship initiatives aimed at reducing child poverty, including their childcare grant programme. This post is fixed term for a period of 12 months.
Click here to find out more and apply

Programme Officer (Child Poverty Reduction) - North East Combined Authority
Salary: £31,586 - £34,314 • Closing date: 20th December

The North East Combined Authority are also looking for a Programme Officer to join their newly formed Child Poverty Reduction Unit. Reporting to the Programme Manager role mentioned above, this is an ideal opportunity for someone with experience managing or supporting programmes or projects within the public sector. One of the early initiatives of the child poverty reduction team will be the development and implementation of a childcare grant programme and the ideal candidate will have experience administering grant schemes.
Click here to find out more and apply