Why Work For Us
Working here means you’ll be part of something genuinely special. Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) is the only Purchasing Consortium exclusively owned by the FE sector operating within education. We provide our members with specialist advice on best procurement practices and how to obtain best value for money. Plus, because our members are all from education establishments, we reinvest 100% of our profits back into the sector.
CPC’s office is based in Salford with Regional Procurement Advisors situated nationwide.
We believe in supporting all our staff to develop themselves and provide opportunities for career development through in-house mentoring and development programmes. We work to develop a culture of trust and respect, where you’ll feel personally and professionally fulfilled. A place where teamwork is everything, and where you’re empowered to do the best job possible. It’s easy to see why CPC are an employer of choice!
Lisa O'Shea
Contracting Officer
I was brought to Salford when I was looking for a job around the Manchester area. Eventually I found a part-time role on the reception of...
Joanna Frost
Communications & Engagement Manager
Since joining CPC in 2014 I've been given many opportunities to develop my career. Upon joining CPC supported me to obtain MCIPS procurem...
Gary Sadler
Group Procurement & Compliance Manager
CPC has enjoyed rapid growth during my time with the company and has been a great place to develop my career. At CPC there is an underlyi...
Louise Ashcroft
Regional Procurement Advisor
Excellent induction process, well planned and implemented, I was immediately made to feel part of an exceptional team
Rezia Begum
Customer Service Support Officer
I started at the company as a Contracts Support Service Officer Apprentice., where I received ongoing training such as customer service, ...
Lisa O'Shea Career Testimonial
I was brought to Salford when I was looking for a job around the Manchester area. Eventually I found a part-time role on the reception of Technology House - CPC's former place of residence. After working on reception for almost a year, it became necessary for me to find a role that better suited my eagerness for knowledge, and in October 2015 I began working at CPC’s Helpdesk.
Since beginning my studies at university, I learned to work within education as I gained a strong affinity for my fellow students. I felt that working on the CPC Helpdesk has allowed me to provide assistance to a member of staff within an institution, and by proxy that was also allowing me to help students.
Through my dedication to learning as much as I could about the company and its stakeholders, I was able to begin a new role as Junior Contracting Officer in March 2018. This position allows me access to a CIPS membership and training program, and means that I am able to make a real difference not just within the company, but also to the spending practices of CPC’s member base.
Through my CIPS exams I will learn how to run tender processes for CPC frameworks in an effective, professional and compliant manner. CPC have given me a framework whereby I can gain a career in an occupation that is highly sought after, and the grounds for learning are extensive. Alongside this I have the ongoing assistance and support of my committed colleagues which I find invaluable.
Joanna Frost Career Testimonial
Since joining CPC in 2014 I've been given many opportunities to develop my career. Upon joining CPC supported me to obtain MCIPS procurement qualification and continue to provide learning opportunities to develop my procurement skills. I've been part of CPCs Line Manager development programme graduating through team supervisor positions, to department manager and more recently to form part of the Group's Leadership Team.
Gary Sadler Career Testimonial
CPC has enjoyed rapid growth during my time with the company and has been a great place to develop my career. At CPC there is an underlying culture and desire to invest in staff who demonstrate a willingness to excel and to learn.
I joined CPC as an Assistant Buyer in 2008 on a temporary contract, joining the business permanently in December 2009. Over the last ten years there have been many personal development opportunities including the company supporting me through professional training for CIPS qualifications. We instil an ethos of recognising that customer service and collaboration are paramount to what we do. In recognition of my development I have progressed through various roles within the Contracting team taking me through to my current position of Contracting Manager. I am now very fortunate to have my own team of dedicated procurement professionals to manage and support through their own development with the company.
Louise Ashcroft Career Testimonial
Excellent induction process, well planned and implemented, I was immediately made to feel part of an exceptional team
Rezia Begum Career Testimonial
I started at the company as a Contracts Support Service Officer Apprentice., where I received ongoing training such as customer service, software skills, learning about the structure of the business etc.
CPC provided me with fire training, presentation skills, work shadowing, basics of contract law and webinar software etc. During my apprenticeship I had to balance both my job and my NVQ, so keeping up with my revision as well as my day to day activities at work was challenging but also helped me manage my time. I was able to complete my NVQ 6 months earlier than expected as I had support from my colleagues who have set me different work-related tasks that were related to my studies. This helped contribute towards my qualification as I could use these as evidence.
When I first joined CPC I needed support and guidance for my day to day tasks. E.g. member queries. However, over the past year I was able to apply my knowledge and skills proactively which helped my confidence in dealing with any matters or problems with little to no support. With the amount of skills and experience I have now, I am now looking to take on CIPS qualification and move on to a procurement role within CPC. I have learnt the basics on procurement which includes reviewing tender documentations, speaking with suppliers at meetings and shadowing my colleagues to understand how the process worked and how to effectively create a framework.
What I enjoy working with CPC the most is that they are supportive and are like a small family who support and guide each other. CPC is flexible and they help me develop both professionally as well as personally as I know my colleagues are always there to support when I need any help.
Training and Development
CPC want our staff to feel supported in their career journey, whatever path they take. We give you the opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge, and professional qualifications you need to succeed.
You are joining an organisation that is dedicated to nurturing talent, and has at its heart an ethos of developing individual and collective knowledge, skills, and confidence.
Training is extremely important to us, as we want each and every staff member to be equipped to do the best possible job. From practical support completing your CIPS qualifications if you’re a procurement professional, to in-house training courses and continuous professional development, we want to help you grow in your career.
Best of all, working with us means you’ll always be surrounded by great people who can teach you new things and really want to help you learn.
Benefits and Rewards
Simply put, we believe that great people deserve great things.
Reward and recognition is extremely important to us. As part of our team, you will have access to a range of fantastic benefits, including a competitive salary package, company pension scheme, attractive holiday allowance, flexi time, life insurance, childcare vouchers, annual events and parties, plus learning and career opportunities and free car parking close to Manchester city centre.
CPC invest in their employees. We will give you a clear direction and sense of purpose. When your hard works makes a difference for our clients and our business, we will make sure you feel recognised.
Our Culture
As a business, our culture is our most important asset, and we firmly believe that “Together We Achieve More”.
People: Our greatest strength is our people, they are at the heart of all that we do and they play an active role in shaping the business.
Supportive: We listen to new ideas and support a culture of continued development and career progression opportunities for all staff.
Collaborative: To develop innovative approaches through team work and sharing best practice and knowledge within teams.
Professional: We drive standards in purchasing and procurement through thought leadership and training.
Customer focused: We are 100% committed in delivering a high quality service and support to our members.
CPC pride ourselves on offering staff an informal, friendly, and inclusive culture, where everyone is supported and able to develop to their full potential. We recognise that happy employees mean happy members – and happy members make a successful and thriving company!
Job Vacancies
Procurement Specialist (CPL Group)
Procurement | Westminster
Do you have public sector procurement experience?
Are you looking for a part-time role that offers flexible working hours?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Procurement Specialist to join our growing team, working remotely with occasional travel in and around Westminster (London area). This role is part-time (2.5 days) with plenty of flexibility and agile working.
CPL Group are a group company owned and run by the FE sector under which Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) and Tenet Education services Ltd are situated. CPC provide members with a large number of EU tendered frameworks, procurement training, specialist advice on best spending practices showing how educational institutions can obtain best value for money. Tenet specialise in offering a full portfolio of procurement consultancy services to the education sector and more recently, the wider public sector.
Working within Tenet Education Services as part of the CPL Group, you will be responsible for leading the process for procuring contracts for a variety of expense categories and other projects and services to meet legal requirements and deliver value for money. You will be producing tender and contract documents, working to KPIs and liaising with other teams to ensure contracts achieve value for money including cost savings and improved service levels.
As well as leading on a number of procurement's and one-off tendering activities, monitoring contracts, and analysing spend information, you will be working closely with staff across the education establishments providing advice, guidance, training and support for their day-to-day purchasing activity.
Procurement Specialist (CPL Group)
Procurement | Uxbridge
Do you have public sector procurement experience?
Are you looking for a new role that offers flexible working hours?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Procurement Specialist to join our growing team, working remotely with occasional travel in and around Uxbridge (London area). This role is full-time with plenty of flexibility.
CPL Group are a group company owned and run by the FE sector under which Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) and Tenet Education services Ltd are situated. CPC provide members with a large number of EU tendered frameworks, procurement training, specialist advice on best spending practices showing how educational institutions can obtain best value for money. Tenet specialise in offering a full portfolio of procurement consultancy services to the education sector and more recently, the wider public sector.
Working within Tenet Education Services as part of the CPL Group, you will be responsible for leading the process for procuring contracts for a variety of expense categories and other projects and services to meet legal requirements and deliver value for money. You will be producing tender and contract documents, working to KPIs and liaising with other teams to ensure contracts achieve value for money including cost savings and improved service levels.
As well as leading on a number of procurement's and one-off tendering activities, monitoring contracts, and analysing spend information, you will be working closely with staff across the education establishments providing advice, guidance, training and support for their day-to-day purchasing activity.
Category Manager (CPL Group)
Contracting | Salford
Are you a category specialist looking for a new opportunity that offers a work life balance?
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our growing charity which has recently been voted “Great Place to Work”.
CPL Group are a group company with charitable status and is owned & run by the FE sector. The group is comprised of 3 separate organisations, Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC), Tenet Education Services and Tenet Procurement Services. CPC provide members with a large number of EU tendered frameworks, procurement training, specialist advice on best spending practices showing how educational institutions can obtain best value for money. Tenet specialise in offering a full portfolio of procurement consultancy services to the education sector and more recently, the wider public sector.
Working within CPC part of the Contracting team you will be responsible for leading pre-procurement, sourcing and contract management activity for Estates Management category; including strategy development, market engagement, negotiation, performance management of goods, works and services under CPC frameworks. You will also develop, issue and evaluate all tender documentation in full accordance with the UK public sector procurement regulations in the designated category areas. You will also provide training, mentoring and support to the Procurement Officer’s and Trainees within the team.
Procurement Specialist (CPL Group)
Procurement | Bournemouth
Do you have public sector procurement experience?
Are you looking for a new role that offers flexible working hours?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Procurement Specialist to join our growing team, working remotely with occasional travel in and around Bournemouth. This role is part time (3 days) and we also offer flexible agile working hours.
CPL Group are a group company owned and run by the FE sector under which Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) and Tenet Education services Ltd are situated. CPC provide members with a large number of EU tendered frameworks, procurement training, specialist advice on best spending practices showing how educational institutions can obtain best value for money. Tenet specialise in offering a full portfolio of procurement consultancy services to the education sector and more recently, the wider public sector.
Working within Tenet Education Services as part of the CPL Group, you will be responsible for leading the process for procuring contracts for a variety of expense categories and other projects and services to meet legal requirements and deliver value for money. You will be producing tender and contract documents, working to KPIs and liaising with other teams to ensure contracts achieve value for money including cost savings and improved service levels.
As well as leading on a number of procurement's and one-off tendering activities, monitoring contracts, and analysing spend information, you will be working closely with staff across the education establishments providing advice, guidance, training and support for their day-to-day purchasing activity.
Join our Talent Pool
If you couldn’t find the right vacancy for you but like the sound of us, then register your details on our talent pool. Let us know what kind of career you’re interested in by choosing from one of the categories and we will send you an email when something comes up that might be perfect for you. Send an email to [email protected] to join.
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