At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic commissioning projects and manage a dynamic team in adult social care.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation focused on community impact and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible working environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with exciting career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning, strong leadership, and stakeholder management skills required.
Our client is looking for an experienced Commission Strategic Lead. Adult Social Care Commissioning comprises three commissioning teams. Alongside the team led by the Strategic Lead, there are two further teams, each managed by a Senior Commissioning Manager and supported by two Commissioners and a Partnership Development Officer. The service works closely with the Contracts team, Brokerage and the newly established Market Development team through integrated working and a Joint Management Team structure, creating a strong focus on collaboration, market shaping and delivery.
We are looking for an experienced commissioning leader who can quickly build relationships, provide confident leadership and maintain delivery across a complex portfolio of strategic programmes. The successful candidate will bring strong programme and stakeholder management skills, experience of leading teams through change, and a track record of delivering complex commissioning and procurement activity within a public sector setting.
The Interim Strategic Lead will play a critical role in maintaining momentum across a significant commissioning portfolio, ensuring delivery of several high-value and complex commissioning programmes, including:
- Procurement and implementation of a new zoned Homecare Framework (c. £750m)
- Recommissioning of three Supported Living and Residential Frameworks (c. £771m+)
- Recommissioning of a Day Opportunities Framework for adults with learning disabilities (c. £60m)
- Recommissioning of the Integrated Community Equipment Service
Alongside these major programmes, you will provide strategic leadership across a broad commissioning portfolio, including care homes and self-directed support, driving service improvement, market sustainability and positive outcomes for residents.
Leading the Team: The role leads the largest of the service's three commissioning teams, comprising:
- 7 Commissioning Managers (direct reports)
- 4 Commissioners (indirect reports)
You will provide leadership, support and professional development, while ensuring delivery of a challenging programme of work within a fast-paced and evolving environment. The service has recently undergone a restructure to strengthen place-based and localised commissioning and co-production. With some current Commissioner vacancies, the service is operating a flexible, project-focused and matrix approach to resourcing, requiring collaborative leadership and effective prioritisation.
A Key Member of the Management Team: As a member of the Adult Social Care Commissioning Management Team, the Strategic Lead provides essential support to the Head of Service, contributing to strategic planning, service improvement and organisational development. The postholder will also deputise for the Head of Service as required, working closely with senior stakeholders across the Council, partners and providers to ensure the continued delivery of key priorities.
Procurement Purchasing Specialist in Cambridge employer: Colbern Limited
Colbern Limited is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and employee development. Located in Barnet, the company provides competitive salaries and opportunities for growth within the public sector, ensuring that employees can make a meaningful impact in their community while enjoying a balanced work-life environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Purchasing Specialist in Cambridge
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
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✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Purchasing Specialist in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Colbern Limited that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Colbern Limited can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Colbern Limited that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Colbern Limited know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Colbern Limited
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
