Low Value Purchasing Officer

Role overview

The Ministry of Defence is seeking a Low Value Purchasing Officer in Hereford to support a coordinated approach to procurement and contract administration for the unit. The role focuses on getting best value, managing supplier relationships and performance, and providing guidance across the unit’s purchasing and contract activity.

This post is based on a 37-hour working week.

Key duties

• Handle procurement of goods and services that cannot be sourced through service channels, following JSP 332 and JSP 895.
• Provide responsive customer support by dealing with emails, calls, procurement-system queries, and correspondence from staff, suppliers, and external organisations.
• Keep procurement files and records complete, accurate, and audit-ready for the LVP Cell Manager.
• Guide colleagues through procurement procedures and requirements, offering practical advice on quotations, historical ordering information, and best-practice buying methods.
• Build effective working relationships with customers and external suppliers so that service quality is monitored, challenged where needed, and aligned to agreed service levels.
• Support the unit by completing professional development activities, mandatory learning, and CP&F training.
• Use the Electronic Procurement Card (ePC) in line with the authority granted under JSP 332 and JSP 895.
• Share order details with QM Accounts so goods can be correctly brought to account and a clear audit trail is maintained.
• Help keep the LVP office safe and compliant with unit standing orders and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Take on other reasonable tasks from line management that fit the grade and function of the post.

Person specification

• Strong organisational ability.
• Confident IT user with proven experience across Microsoft 365, especially Word, Excel, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Outlook.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills with the confidence to deal effectively with a range of people.
• Ability to prioritise workload, stay effective under pressure, and work to tight deadlines.
• Accurate data entry skills and strong attention to detail when recording financial and technical information.
• Team-oriented approach, including a willingness to support colleagues during busy periods.

Selection and assessment

The recruitment process uses the Success Profiles framework and will assess behaviours and experience.

Applicants must submit a CV covering work history, skills, and experience, plus a personal statement of up to 500 words.

At sift stage, assessment will be based on the CV, personal statement, and the following behaviours: Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, and Managing a Quality Service. If the application volume is high, the sift may rely on the personal statement and behaviours only.

At interview, the same four behaviours will be assessed.

Behaviours

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

Pay and benefits

The salary for this role is £27,866. The Ministry of Defence also contributes £8,072 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. The employer contribution rate for the Civil Service pension is 28.97% on average.

• Role-specific learning and development.
• Flexible working options where business needs permit.
• An inclusive workplace culture that supports diversity.
• 25 days of paid annual leave, rising by one day each year to 30 days after five years of service.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• On-site cafeteria, gym, and parking.

Working arrangements and conditions

This role may allow a mix of office and home working where business needs support it, as part of a non-contractual hybrid arrangement. Office-based staff are expected to be in the office for at least 60% of working time, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Time spent at other official MOD locations may also count toward this requirement.

The post does not include relocation expenses. Travel costs for interviews will not be reimbursed.

New external recruits entering the MOD from outside the Civil Service will normally serve a six-month probation period.

Allowances linked to the role are under review and may change.

Anyone moving to the MOD from another employer will lose access to childcare vouchers, including moves between government departments. Alternative support schemes such as Tax-Free Childcare may be available depending on eligibility.

The MOD operates a smoke-free working environment across Defence workplaces, and smoking or use of tobacco products is not permitted except where local exemptions apply.

Successful candidates may be contacted for an optional, anonymous recruitment satisfaction survey to help improve service delivery.

Artificial intelligence may be used to support applications, but all examples and statements must be truthful, accurate, and based on the applicant’s own experience. Applications may be withdrawn if plagiarism or misrepresentation is identified.

The Civil Service is an equal opportunities employer and operates the Disability Confident Scheme for candidates who meet the minimum criteria. Depending on application volumes, not all eligible candidates may be interviewed.

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship and is not open to applicants who require sponsorship under the points-based system.

Successful candidates will need to declare any outside interests before a formal offer is made, so any potential conflicts can be managed appropriately.

The MOD applies a zero-tolerance stance to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. Candidates dismissed for such conduct within the last five years, or who would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had they remained employed, will not be considered. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

About the organisation

Cyber & Specialist Operations Command delivers specialist capabilities across all domains to support national security and Defence outcomes.

Its teams include cyber specialists, medics, intelligence analysts, special forces personnel, educators, and Defence attachés, working together to provide the operational edge needed to deter threats and protect the UK now and in the future.

CSOC brings together Defence’s cyber capability and specialist operational expertise.