Procurement Manager

Procurement Manager - Inside IR35

The role of Procurement Manager is a key role within the client’s Corporate Finance and Procurement team focussing on the provision of strategic procurement advice and support across client services ensuring procurement activities align with delivery of the client’s corporate plan and priority objectives. Working closely with our service and contract managers, through our business partnering approach, this role incorporates both the provision of expert advice and management of the procurement cycle, commercial contract management whilst ensuring processes are robust, compliant and in line with the latest regulations.

The role includes;

• Providing strategic procurement advice and support on all large programmes and projects; over £100K in value. While the role could support any area of the council it is expected to work under the scope of a wide business partner customer remit to which the customer areas can change from time to time.
• To provide strategic guidance to senior officers up to and including Directors in delivering service objectives by procuring value for money contracts. To inform service re-design and innovation projects with relevant advice on procurement strategy and evaluation tools.
• To ensure that all procurement activity is compliant with UK legislation and case law and best practice. Drive and develop procurement processes incorporating changes in policy due to procurement regulations or legislation, with a robust understanding of policy.
• To influence the design of contract specifications and evaluation criteria in order to deliver service outcomes and a reduction in cost, whilst mitigating risk to business continuity.
• To reflect the policy and strategy of Procurement Board in their support and advice to officers, developing the most appropriate procurement strategy and reflecting this within tender documents and the relevant Committee reports.
• To provide advice and help to both internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the local CPRs, Procurement Regulations, Contract Register Protocols and Social Value Policy are followed.
• Develop and implement relationships with service areas, to identify future procurement needs and allow adequate time for delivery.
• To establish an in-depth knowledge and understanding of all categories of requirement, from care and services to construction ICT and other complex areas.

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to influence in developing and delivering the most appropriate procurement strategies and solutions.
• Ability to apply negotiation skills to achieve the optimal
• commercial solutions whilst maintaining credibility and supplier relationships.
• Exhibit the professional behaviours of integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, and competency in accordance with the expectations of the role.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate effective communication at all levels (including senior management, service managers, staff, Members , customers, and contractors)
• Problem solving - Ability to understand differing priorities that often conflict and be able to devise solutions that achieve value for money whilst ensuring continuity of supply
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders across the organisation ensuring engagement at appropriate times and appropriate management levels.
• Able to plan multiple activities in a logical manor ensuring key deliverables and timelines are identified and appropriate budgets are in place.
• This is applicable to all roles in WNC that are required to use IT equipment: Demonstrate effective use of Office 365 (incl. Teams, OneDrive, etc.) or willingness to undertake training during the probation period.

Knowledge

• Extensive working knowledge and understanding of procurement management techniques
• Understanding of procurement processes and experience with using e-procurement tools to procure, contract manage and reducing costs.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and PA23.
• Commercial Acumen - Sound understanding of economic factors which will impact on market sectors and approaches to minimise cost pressures and reduce commercial risk. Good understanding of commercial approaches taken by providers.

Relevant experience

• Successful experience of leading on multiple procurement projects including projects that are multi-stakeholder, collaborative or complex in nature

Education, training and work qualifications

• Degree and/or holds or studying for full Professional Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS)

*Local Authority experience preferred

Rate of Pay

Umbrella: £500

Location: Northampton - Hybrid 1 day a week on site