Flexible Procurement and Supply Chain Functions Through Strategic CCS Recruitmemt

Procurement and supply chain functions are crucial for the success of any organisation. These functions can bring significant cost savings, improve the quality of goods and services, and establish better relationships with suppliers. By streamlining procurement processes, businesses can save money and benefit from a reliable and trustworthy supplier base, which can help them achieve their goals more efficiently. 
This is particularly important in the public sector, which faced significant recruitment challenges in 2023. These challenges were primarily budget constraints (54%), supply chain risk management (53%), and attracting staff with the right skills (51%). At Huntress, our procurement and supply chain team specialises in helping public sector organisations find the best talent in the market and support the growth of their procurement functions. This case study highlights how the value of procurement and supply chain professionals can ensure business-wide goals are achieved and efficient processes are developed with the help of these specialist recruitment experts.

Our Client
A UK-based NHS organisation that provides support and transformation services to Integrated Care Systems, NHS Trusts, and local authorities.

The Brief
Our client had several important business projects that need to be completed before the end of the financial year. To meet the deadlines, they urgently needed to fill eight Senior Procurement Interim positions within two weeks. All candidates needed a background in the public sector, preferably within the NHS, due to regulations. To assist the organisation, our team of Procurement Consultants has been exclusively introduced through the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Non-Clinical Staffing framework.

The Solution
To kick off the recruitment process, our Procurement and Supply Chain team conducted a thorough market rate analysis showing that the public sector interim day rate had increased to £526, and London salaries in particular had increased by 9% since the previous year. This helped our client to evaluate the available talent pool within their budget. To provide our clients with a better understanding of the level of experience they could attract with their set rates, we presented them with examples of anonymous candidate CVs. We then agreed on flexible working patterns and remote work within these roles, which allowed the client to stick to budget restrictions on day rates and attract quality candidates in a market where flexibility is a top requirement. 
In 2023, working from home was one of the most desired benefits for procurement professionals, with 58% seeking this option when considering a new role. Therefore, this strategic decision helped to quickly attract candidates to the job openings. 

The client needed all eight roles filled within a short time frame of two weeks. To ensure efficiency in hiring, we agreed to a one-stage hiring process. Our consultants were able to speed up the recruitment process by utilising Huntress' extensive network of candidates. Within 24 hours, we sent the initial batch of CVs, and five of them resulted in successful hires. We were able to fill all positions without advertising and in complete compliance with NHS regulations.? 
Huntress provided valuable market insights, a pool of viable candidates to choose from, and clear communication throughout the hiring process. We scheduled weekly meetings to discuss current CVs and interviews lined up.

The Result
Our client was able to meet their end-of-year project deadlines successfully, thanks to the support of eight highly skilled procurement interims. These professionals implemented optimised processes across the business, providing extra assistance during the peak business period. As a result, an efficient Procurement function supported the overall business objectives, with better processes in place to maximise output. The client expressed high satisfaction with the candidates hired into the business, and the candidates themselves reported being happy in their new roles, especially with the option to work remotely. Our team's expertise allowed us to hire suitable candidates within strict budget constraints and a short timeframe, thus fulfilling our client's hiring needs and building a working relationship where we can offer ongoing hiring support.

8 Roles
Filled in 2 weeks
0 
Advertising required
24hr 
CV turnaround

Procurement and supply chain roles are currently in high demand due to the benefits organisations reap from cost savings, efficient processes, and reliable suppliers. However, 72% of organisations have struggled to hire the right talent due to salary expectations and the sector skills gap. This has resulted in 34% of organisations increasing their use of recruitment agencies to ensure a strategic hiring approach, and 28% of organisations hiring temporary and contract workers to increase the resources within procurement functions without committing to permanent hires. 
When hiring temporary procurement staff, we have discovered that the benefits they bring to an organisation can offset their costs. By hiring interim staff, businesses can achieve greater savings while maintaining high service standards and adhering to budget constraints. This is particularly beneficial for public sector organisations that require solutions to hire additional resources, and quickly meet their service demands.