Job Introduction
Staffordshire County Council spends over £500m per annum on purchasing services and supplies.
This role will provide effective management of all procurement activity across the County Council relating to a varied range and type of expenditure, driving and delivering cost efficiencies, best value and continuous improvement.
You will be a key source of technical knowledge and practical know-how and a problem-solver who is focused on delivering value for money. You will be able to deliver efficiency, timely procurement advice, and the ability to lead strategic procurements across the whole of the organisation. You will ensure procurement activity operates in a way which is integral to the achievement of the County Council’s overall ambition, strategic corporate objectives, and priorities.
You’ll have
- demonstrable experience of working in a procurement and commercial environment with a track record of delivering end to end procurement projects and cost efficiencies
- experience of working in a regulated procurement environment and an excellent working knowledge of Public Sector procurement legislation / practice
- the adaptability to manage procurement in a wide scope and variety of spend areas
- a commercial awareness and ability to lead / influence a wide range of project stakeholder groups.
For more information about these roles please contact: Joanne Whitehouse, Senior Procurement Manager. Email: joanne.whitehouse@staffordshire.gov.uk or Gail Stephens, Head of Procurement. Email: gail.stephens@staffordshire.gov.uk
Main Responsibility
As a Procurement Manager, you will
- Lead on the implementation of procurement strategy and sourcing for major projects, and where necessary act as a procurement consultant to colleagues across the Council
- Assist with the provision of strategic and operational support and advice to clients on procurement matters.
- To build on existing relationships and develop new ones as appropriate with District and Parish Councils, other local authorities, IEWM, health trusts and other stake holders within Staffordshire in delivering procurement services that will benefit all parties
- To develop procurement skills and capabilities of colleagues in all disciplines, as part of developing cross-functional strategic sourcing teams for specific projects.
- Participating and supporting Best Value/Service reviews and the delivery of Best Value across the Council and ensuring that all procurement is conducted in accordance with the principles of Best Value.
- Participate in a skill assessment and training programme in procurement which is tailored to the needs of staff according to level of their involvement in the procurement process.
- Ensure that corporate policies, initiatives, and procedures have full compliance in all areas of Procurement. With particular reference to equality and diversity, health and safety and customer care.
- Undertake necessary training and development as directed by the Senior Procurement Manager.
- Conduct commercial management activity as part of the holistic contract management process.
- Any other duties appropriate to the post to support the Senior Procurement Manager in, delivering and implementing the Procurement Strategy.
The Ideal Candidate
You'll have
- A degree/equivalent
- MCIPS Qualification Level 6 by examination or equivalent
- A minimum of two years procurement experience
- Knowledge and understanding of the finance and legal issues affecting public sector organisations. This should include knowledge of procurement issues, techniques and objectives.
- Knowledge of e-procurement principles, with an understanding of how to measure performance.
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of the National procurement legislative framework and Public Sector procurement legislation / practice, and the ability to comply and advise.
- Experienced in information gathering research work, and a thorough understanding of the key issues relating to modern public sector procurement, especially in local government relevant to the portfolio area.
- Experience of preparing and managing tender documentation for high value or complex procurement requirements relevant to the Categories managed
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to a range of benefits.
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Silver Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
