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- Tasks: Lead and manage procurement activities to ensure value for money and compliance with regulations.
- Company: Join Central Bedfordshire Council's dynamic Procurement Team.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive rewards, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Engage with senior stakeholders and drive innovative procurement strategies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in public sector procurement while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and CIPS Level 4 qualification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Procurement Team provides a strategic and professional service that ensures the Council achieves value for money in sourcing third-party goods, works and services. The team also manages procurement risks, drives best practice, and ensures compliance with the Council’s Constitution and procurement regulations. We are recruiting a Category Manager to lead and advise on a wide range of procurements for a variety of service areas in the Place and Corporate pillar, ensuring compliance with PCR2015/PA23 legislation and achieving value for money. In this role, you will need to be confident in engaging with key stakeholders and have the knowledge and experience to lead and manage end to end procurement activity. You will act as a key advisor to service areas ensuring compliance with procurement legislation whilst understanding and delivering against service needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and Implement Category Strategies, delivering value for money processes adhering to council policies and relevant regulations.
- Provide market intelligence, advice and guidance on competition processes.
- Lead high-value, high-risk procurement initiatives to achieve and demonstrate value for money.
- Devise and apply detailed analysis and evaluation techniques to assist all stakeholders in decision making using a balance of cost and quality and appropriate weightings.
- Regular Communications with Senior Managers and attendance at DMTs.
- Assist contract managers to assess service delivery and work with service providers to develop efficiencies.
- Develop and embed social value opportunities.
About You
- Educated to degree level with a CIPS Level 4 qualification and seeking to progress to Level 5 (desirable).
- Experience of working within a procurement or commercial environment, preferably in local government.
- Able to demonstrate a successful track record and experience of delivering end-to-end complex procurements under PCR 2015 / Procurement Act 2023.
- Understanding of public sector procurement regulations and governance.
- Ability to manage multiple procurements to agreed timescales.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills and able to influence senior stakeholders and provide clear guidance.
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data and market intelligence into actionable insight.
- Experience of leading projects, managing competing priorities, and delivering against statutory and corporate deadlines.
Our Offer
We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff. Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process. You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this Recruitment Pack.
For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: Sarah Deyes – Senior Procurement Business Partner at Sarah.Deyes@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 4878.
Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK. Please confirm you have right to work in the UK.
Category Manager - Procurement employer: Central Bedfordshire Council
Contact Detail:
Central Bedfordshire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Procurement
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their procurement strategies and recent projects. This will help us tailor our conversations during interviews and show that we’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. This can give us insider info about the team culture and what they value in a Category Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how we can demonstrate our experience with end-to-end procurement and compliance with regulations. Practice makes perfect, so let’s rehearse our answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application is seen. Plus, it shows we’re following their process, which is a good first impression.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Procurement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Category Manager. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in procurement and stakeholder engagement have led to successful outcomes in previous roles. We want to see your impact!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your achievements and experiences quickly.
Apply Online: Remember, we only accept applications through our online system. So, make sure to submit your application there to ensure it gets seen by the right people. Good luck!
How to prepare for a job interview at Central Bedfordshire Council
✨Know Your Procurement Legislation
Make sure you brush up on PCR2015 and the Procurement Act 2023. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you understand the legal framework you'll be working within, which is crucial for a Category Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with senior stakeholders in the past. Highlight your communication strategies and how you influenced decisions, as this is key to managing procurements effectively.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Prowess
Be ready to discuss how you've used data analysis to inform procurement decisions. Bring specific examples where your insights led to improved outcomes, showcasing your ability to balance cost and quality.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about past challenges you've faced in procurement and how you navigated them, as this will help illustrate your experience and strategic thinking.