Procurement and Business Partner

About the role

To take overall responsibility for procurement of goods and services within an overall non-pay budget of about £28m. This involves providing leadership for the strategic, operational and governance aspects of the supplier and contractor relationships as well as providing professional advice on the managerial and legal aspects of procurement and contract management to management.

Location: Manchester (but predominantly work remotely. On occasion the candidate may be asked to attend the Manchester office)

Job Type: Temporary

Duration of booking: Expected to last 4 months with possible extension to 12 months

Proposed start date: ASAP

Pay Rates: Up to £40 per hour Umbrella or £35 per hour PAYE inclusive of holiday pay

Hours / Working Days: 37.5 hours per week / Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

Sector: Healthcare

Based: Office

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead the procurements for assigned business areas.
• Develop and implement policies for managing programmes of work and quality assurance procedures within Procurement and contract management that impact across the organisation.
• Develop, operate and maintain systems and processes to meet the organisation’s contract management and procurement requirements.
• Support contract management groups via business partnering.
• Support and deliver Procurement and contract management strategy ensuring accountability, training and support to staff at all levels.
• Interpret new procurement standards and DHSC Directives and implement system change accordingly.
• Lead on the development and implementation of policies, procedures and strategies to ensure an efficient and effective procurement function.
• Promote and deliver procurement and contract management training for Board Members, Directors and financial and non-financial managers.
• Manage own workload, and support the workloads of others in the team and the quality of work to ensure that objectives and targets are achieved.
• Develop a culture that improves quality.
• Engender a culture of service and visibility to internal and external customers and stakeholders of the department.
• Line manage staff and/or contractors according to policies and procedures.

Communication

• Provide advice and guidance to Directors, managers and other staff on financial and legal issues related to contracts and procurement.
• Cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholder groups at all levels, effectively communicating complex issues.
• Lead the development and implementation of strategies to ensure that key stakeholders can understand procurement procedures and requirements.
• Advise staff on changes to legislation and statutory requirements.
• Support commitment to be open and transparent in its work.
• Provide best practice contract and supplier management information to staff at all levels.
• Provide complex advice and support to directors and senior staff, other members of the team and to external organisations and individuals.
• Communicate commercial legislation and statutory requirements for public sector procurement at all levels.
• Present complex purchasing programmes to potential and existing suppliers in open forum meetings.
• Represent at internal and external meetings and events such as with internal and external auditors, the Department of Health, Shared Business Services, the Board Strategy Group and Audit Committee.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Doctorate or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through experience and further training/development.
• Management qualification or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through experience and further training/development.

Knowledge and skills

• Highly developed specialist knowledge across the range of work procedures and practices underpinned by theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience.
• Knowledge of procurement methods and business analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of developments in commercial law.
• Good understanding of risk management principles and tools.
• Solid understanding of corporate governance principles and processes.
• An understanding and commitment to equality and diversity.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to motivate team members and other key internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information and present it clearly and precisely.
• Ability to cope with multiple and changing demands, meet tight deadlines and exercise sound judgement.
• Ability to think and plan strategically.
• Ability to manage a portfolio of projects.
• Ability to act with a high degree of autonomy.
• Excellent organisational and co-ordinating skills.

Experience

• Experience of working in a purchasing setting and undertaking above threshold Procurements.
• Experience of developing strategies to meet changing organisational needs.
• Experience of developing and improving systems and processes.
• Experience of working in partnership with other organisations.
• Experience of project management.
• Experience of staff management and training.
• Experience of effective communication with a range of audiences at all levels.