Job Description:
1.Corporate duties and accountabilities:
The post holder will comply with and promote the Council’s Health, Wellbeing and Safety at Work policies and ensure these are implemented effectively within their areas of responsibility.
A priority for the Council is the protection of vulnerable people, ensuring they are able to live as independently as possible. The post-holder will promote and engage with Council’s responsibility to safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults, and protect their right to be safe from harm.
Through personal commitment and clear action, the post-holder will promote the Council’s employment policies, with particular reference to diversity, equality of access and treatment in employment, service delivery and community involvement. To support/develop a working culture within these services that reflects the corporate vision.
Ensure that the services provided aligned to the Council strategy, vision, aims, objectives, priorities and continuous improvement programme and play their part in achieving these. This includes compliance with Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, Code of Conduct and the Councils Policies and Procedures.
This job description sets out a summary of the duties and accountabilities of the role. It is not intended to be exhaustive.
2.Main purpose of the job role:
To adopt a customer focused approach to directly lead on, or support Category Specialists and Assistant Category Specialists, on end-to-end procurement, commercial and contracting strategies for goods, works and services within a nominated category of spend.
To work with Stakeholders to achieve overall value for money and compliance.
3.Role specific duties and accountabilities:
Horizon Scanning:
To work closely with key stakeholders including business unit service directors and heads of service, and provide strategic, commercial and specialist procurement support for a range of different requirements to deliver their business unit plans
To positively build and grow stakeholder relationships and their understanding of procurement to promote the benefits of early market engagement to inform contract scoping and sourcing strategies
To support stakeholders in embedding performance measures in all contracts to ensure provision is fit for purpose and make effective use of resources.
Participate in regional subgroups to increase efficiency, share knowledge, and best practice where applicable
Leading People:
Supervise the day-to-day activity and workload of the Category Specialists, Assistant Category Specialists, Apprentice (as applicable) including mentoring, coaching and training as required to aid succession planning and team development
Managing Resources:
To act as the expert for procurement and ensure that there is appropriate performance and proper compliance with the overall Council’s Contract Rules, Financial Regulations, and UK Legislation on procurement, as well as guidance in the Cabinet Office playbooks
Ensuring there is a detailed understanding of the expenditure within the category, suppliers, products and services, the value for money and the existing supplier performance for specified categories of expenditure.
Managing Performance:
Support the implementation of category strategy plans for key areas of strategic spend across the organisation, undertaking complex data analysis, benchmarking and working with cross-functional teams/stakeholders to identify and progress new cost saving/added value commercial and operational opportunities e.g., Spend consolidation and improved vendor management
To proactively use spend data and market intelligence to help shape the procurement strategy for a range of different tender events to drive strategic change in the approach to sourcing, procurement and contract management
Provide sourcing and procurement governance and guidance support to stakeholders on all contracts and to lead on the use of standard formal documentation and procedures throughout the Council and general best practice
Work Closely with the Contract Management function to ensure the Procurement & Contract Management team provides a coherent service to its stakeholders.
Managing Self:
To progress the execution of the workplan and category plans and oversee, lead on, or input into, the Gateway papers as appropriate.
To proactively research, identify and then engage with providers in various markets to support market understanding of future Council needs to support active development
Contribute to shaping of the procurement policy of the Council to support engagement of SME, VCSE and local organisations across all contracts externally sourced through sharing of market intelligence
To support delivery of key Council initiatives through procurement and contract management, such as social value and sustainability within contracts to ensure support to the authority’s sustainable procurement policy.
Offer well-reasoned advice and support in respect of social value, packaging of contracts, and support of local SME’s as appropriate.
4.Key Stakeholders and reporting lines
Reports to Category Lead or Head of Procurement and Contract Management
Line Manages Category Specialists, Assistant Category Specialists, Apprentice (where required)
Knowledge/Experience:
specify type, level and qualitative (not quantitative required); if any.
Extensive knowledge of how to collate and deliver an annual category procurement plan involving different tendering processes
Knowledge and understanding of different forms of contract
Knowledge of public sector procurement legislation
Detailed knowledge and demonstrable evidence of deploying the range of established sourcing routes (e.g. compliant frameworks and FTS routes to market) available for contracts to support public sector or complex organisations in the delivery of services
Extensive experience of leading the development and delivery of procurement strategies and programmes of work across a diverse range of areas of spend
A detailed understanding of Public Contract Regulations and additional guidance from Government of best practice, with knowledge of application in a local authority setting drive commercial outcomes from procurement
Experience in the development of procurement documentation, contracts and contract related information
Significant track record of achievement in procurement including the principles and application of Best Value and compliance
Experience of the preparation and presentation of reports, briefs, and action plans to a diverse range of audiences
Experience in the use of Microsoft applications along with other e-tendering tools within the procurement function
Experience of supervising, mentoring and taking responsibility for project group and/or experience of cross functional team working.
Experienced in the co-ordination, collation, analysis and reporting of complex information from numerous sources to diverse audiences
Qualification: Specify any qualifications that are a minimum requirement, please include any equivalent qualifications that would be deemed acceptable or if this can be obtained through on the job experience.
Level 5 professional qualification in relevant field OR equivalent experience
Evidence of continuing professional development and willingness to undertake in role
Leadership training or willingness to undertake management and supervisory training within 12 months of coming into post
Project Management Qualification e.g. Prince 2
Contract Management Training - Government Commercial Function Foundation or willingness to complete within 6 months
Category Manager in Walsall employer: Matrix Prism
As a Divisional Accountant within our dynamic finance team, you will thrive in a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and continuous improvement. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in tailored training opportunities and a collaborative environment where your expertise will directly influence strategic decision-making. Located in a vibrant community, we offer a fulfilling career path that not only meets financial targets but also enhances the professional image of our finance function.
