Procurement Manager

Purpose of the Job

To form part of the team responsible for the provision of strategic procurement advice, best practice guidance, and delivering robust and commercially sound procurement processes.

Main Areas of Responsibility

• To provide advice and challenge to managers and staff across company as an expert on procurement matters and to work with them to fulfil company’s strategic objectives, ensuring the highest standards of professional excellence in procurement.
• Including: Support senior officers with negotiation planning, dispute resolution, procurement challenges, advice on financial assessments and provision of appropriate training.
• On occasion to lead negotiations with suppliers.
• Guide the preparation and review of robust, detailed business cases and commercial assessments by officers across the company, ensuring that all proposed major procurements are subject to robust examination of market assessment, demand management, solutions considered, process undertaken and contract management arrangements.
• Work with the Head of Procurement to develop, implement and monitor the Council’s new Procurement Strategy.
• Provide effective performance management and development of direct reports.
• Act as a senior procurement adviser on a range of major procurement projects.
• Drive and inspire improvements in procurement processes across the organisation, providing appropriate challenge.
• Support the Head of Procurement and Asst. Director, Finance in the effective management of all key relationships, including deputising for the Head of Procurement as required and representing the function as appropriate in the corporate and regional arenas, establishing strong external procurement networks and ensuring the learning and experience obtained is brought back into the council.

Qualifications

• Member of CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) or working towards a CIPS qualification or equivalent procurement related qualification with wide experience of procurement and contracting within the public sector.
• Interpersonal and communication skills Proven track record of ability to influence and motivate others.
• Able to create and present thoughts and ideas and demonstrate this using a high level of presentation techniques (both written and verbal)
• Experience of designing and delivering presentations and / or training to senior managers or elected members
• Procurement skills & knowledge Significant involvement in the development of procurement strategies
• In-depth understanding of procurement and contract management best practice
• Organisational / team management skills Evidence of having managed teams or individual members of staff
• Demonstrable commitment to staff development and ability to have difficult conversations with regard to performance
• Analytical Skills Use of management information to inform decisions and strategy
• Ability to provide effective (evidence based) challenge to services about procurement proposals ensuring maximum benefit to the public purse.
• Commercial skills Effective negotiator providing strategic advice to services in order to deliver maximum benefit from procurement exercises.
• Ability to champion commercial awareness across the wider organisation