Job Description
3 months contract with local authority
As a Strategic Procurement Officer, you will play a pivotal role in offering specialized procurement advice, guidance, and governance support throughout the Council. Your position is crucial in ensuring that governance, compliance, and best practices are consistently applied within the procurement community and the broader Council. Your efforts will align services and projects with the Council’s objectives as outlined in the Council Plan.
Responsibilities:
* Develop and Embed Policy, Process & Best Practice:
o Assist in shaping and developing procurement policies, processes, and user-friendly templates.
o Maintain expert knowledge of legal and policy procedures, recommending implementations.
o Communicate new procurement initiatives through briefings, training, and workshops.
o Update the Council’s Terms & Conditions in collaboration with legal advisors.
o Research procurement topics and advise management on service delivery enhancements.
* Champion Sustainability and Social Value:
o Support the integration of sustainability and Social Value frameworks into processes.
o Manage objectives related to the Procurement Impact Assessment (PRIMAS) tool.
o Collaborate with Procurement Category Leads to set and monitor sustainability targets.
o Contribute to corporate responsibility efforts in community wealth building and climate change.
o Support "meet the buyer" events to engage SMEs and VCS groups in sustainable procurement.
* Drive Performance, Reporting & Risk Management:
o Implement a performance management framework to enhance supplier performance and value.
o Develop Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for supplier contracts to ensure service standards.
o Design and maintain analytic reports and dashboards for stakeholders.
o Monitor and report on management information, including social impact metrics.
o Ensure procurement projects are maintained on the Procurement Forward Plan and Council Forward Plan.
Requirements
* Proven procurement experience and technical expertise within the public sector, with comprehensive knowledge of the regulatory framework.
* Experience in developing and delivering procurement strategies and policies in a large, diverse organization.
* Strong judgment and discretion capabilities.
* Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to build effective relationships with diverse groups.
* Proficiency in IT, including Microsoft Office/Google Suite, with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets.
* A relevant professional qualification, such as CIPS, and/or extensive experience in public sector procurement is highly desirable.
Requirements
Recognized qualification in change management and/or equivalent experience. Significant experience in managing and leading complex change programs in a public sector environment, with knowledge of change management principles, methodologies, and tools. Experience in coaching senior leaders or peers to achieve shared goals. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Self-driven, organized, and able to take ownership with a natural inclination for strategic planning.