At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the council's procurement service and drive strategic initiatives for effective contract management.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking council committed to delivering value and improving community outcomes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for innovation and career growth in local government.
- Why this job: Shape the future of procurement while collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience in procurement, with strong leadership and strategic skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Job purpose
Lead the council's sovereign procurement service and provide strategic leadership for procurement, contracts and commercial assurance across client.
Work collaboratively across the whole organisation with Members and officers to ensure the council has a high-performing, compliant and forward-looking procurement function that supports delivery of the Council Plan and wider corporate priorities, including the delivery of significant savings, value for money and improved outcomes through effective procurement and contract management.
Lead and develop procurement strategy, contract and commercial assurance, and the effective management of procurement activity across the council, while contributing as part of the council's senior leadership community.
- Principal accountabilities
- To provide strategic leadership for all procurement activity across the council, ensuring a consistent, compliant and effective approach to commissioning, procurement, contract management and commercial assurance.
- To lead the development and implementation of the council's procurement and contract management strategies, policies, procedures and governance arrangements, ensuring they reflect legislative requirements, best practice and the council's priorities.
- To provide expert advice and assurance to Members, the Corporate Leadership Team, Directors and senior managers on procurement, commercial and contract management matters, including on complex, high value, high risk or politically sensitive issues.
- To ensure the council has effective systems, processes and controls in place for procurement, contract management and commercial assurance, and to monitor performance, compliance and outcomes, reporting regularly to senior leaders and relevant governance forums.
- To lead and support strategic sourcing, procurement and contract activity across the council, helping services to review contracts, identify savings opportunities, and secure high quality, cost effective and socially valuable outcomes.
- To develop and maintain productive working relationships with Members, senior officers, partner organisations, suppliers and other stakeholders, ensuring the council is outward looking, well connected and informed by good practice and emerging developments.
- To lead, manage and develop the Procurement service, including workforce planning, performance management, learning and development, and the creation of an inclusive, psychologically safe and high-performing team culture.
- To lead service improvement, innovation and change across procurement, contracts and commercial assurance, identifying opportunities to modernise systems, improve ways of working and strengthen the council's commercial capability.
- To contribute to the senior leadership of the directorate and the council, working corporately across services to support organisational priorities, remove duplication, improve efficiency, deliver savings and support delivery of the Council Plan.
- Job-related education, qualifications, and knowledge
- Degree level qualification in a relevant discipline or substantial equivalent senior-level experience.
- Relevant professional qualification such as MCIPS, or demonstrable equivalent professional knowledge and expertise in procurement, contract management and commercial assurance.
- Substantial knowledge of public procurement legislation, governance, contract management, commercial assurance and best practice.
- A strong understanding of local government, its governance arrangements, decision-making processes and the political context in which services operate.
Experience
- Substantial experience of leading procurement, contract management or commercial functions in a large and complex organisation.
- Proven experience of developing and implementing strategy, policy, governance and improvement programmes.
- Experience of supporting services to review contracts, identify opportunities for savings and deliver improved value for money through procurement, reprocurement or contract management activity.
- Significant experience of managing teams and delivering results through others in a complex and changing environment.
- Experience of advising and influencing senior leaders, Members and stakeholders on complex, high-value or high-risk issues.
- Experience of building productive partnerships and working across organisational boundaries to improve outcomes.
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Head Of Procurement in Hove employer: Brighton & Hove City Council
Brighton & Hove City Council is an excellent employer, offering a nurturing work environment at Tarnerland Nursery School where you can make a meaningful impact on young children's lives. With a strong emphasis on professional development and a supportive team culture, employees enjoy generous benefits and opportunities for growth in their early years careers. Join us in creating a safe and engaging learning space in the vibrant community of Brighton.
Contact Details:
Brighton & Hove City Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Procurement in Hove
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Brighton & Hove City Council.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Procurement in Hove
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Brighton & Hove City Council:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Brighton & Hove City Council. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Brighton & Hove City Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Brighton & Hove City Council
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Brighton & Hove City Council!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Brighton & Hove City Council. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Brighton & Hove City Council's culture.
