**Interviews for this position will be held on Monday 27 of October**
We're looking for an experienced Procurement Manager to join the WCG Finance Team, with a prime responsibility for steering and implementing a procurement strategy, with a key focus on ensuring Value for Money is obtained from the c.£18m of controllable non-pay and capital programme spend per annum. The successful applicant will be responsible for policy and procedure management ensuring compliance with legislation, responsible for sourcing and tendering supplies and capital purchases, supplier negotiation and contract management, and the identification of cost savings and efficiency drives.
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN & YOUNG PERSONS (THE CHILDREN'S ACT 1989)
Any offers of appointment will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly CRB), a certificate of good conduct if applicable, plus receipt of satisfactory references, Occupational Health clearance, an understanding of safeguarding and qualifications verification. An Enhanced DBS check is required for this position as you will be working within 'Regulated Activity' within a specific place (i.e. the College).
This role is classed as working within Regulated Activity. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. By applying for this position, you agree to an Enhanced DBS check in line with DBS regulations.
BACKGROUND TO THE POST
This is a new post reporting initially into the Chief Finance Officer and eventually into the Director of Finance. The postholder will be a member of the newly formed senior Finance Management Team and will line manage two Procurement Officers.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Procurement and Policy Development
· Developing and Implementing Strategy: Formulate and execute a comprehensive procurement strategy that aligns with the College's wider business objectives, financial regulations, and Strategic Plan.
· Policy and Procedure Management: Create, maintain, enforce procurement policies and procedures to ensure all purchasing activities are transparent, ethical, and deliver value for money.
· Compliance with Legislation: Ensure all procurement activity is in full compliance with UK public procurement law, including the Procurement Act 2023 and any subsequent regulations. This is a critical responsibility to mitigate legal and financial risk.
2. End-to-End Procurement Lifecycle Management
· Sourcing and Tendering: Lead the entire procurement lifecycle, from identifying a need to awarding a contract. This involves conducting market research, drafting specifications, and running formal tender processes (e.g., mini-competitions under frameworks, or full competitive tenders).
· Supplier and Contract Management: Manage the relationships with key suppliers and the performance of contracts throughout their lifecycle. This includes monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), conducting regular performance reviews, and managing contract renewals or terminations.
· Negotiation: Negotiate with suppliers to secure the most advantageous terms, pricing, and service level agreements. This requires strong commercial acumen to achieve both cost savings and long-term value.
3. Financial Management and Reporting
· Achieving Value for Money (VfM): Be the champion for achieving and demonstrating value for money across all expenditure. This involves a focus on total cost of ownership, not just the initial price.
· Cost Savings and Efficiency: Identify opportunities for cost savings and process efficiencies. Track and report on savings achieved to senior management and other stakeholders.
· Budgeting and Financial Oversight: Work closely with budget holders and the Finance team to ensure all procurement activities are conducted within allocated budgets and in accordance with the WCG Financial Regulations.
4. Stakeholder and Supplier Relationship Management
· Internal Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the primary point of contact for all procurement matters within the College. Provide expert advice and guidance to staff at all levels (e.g., from estates and IT to curriculum leads) to help them navigate the procurement process effectively.
· External Relationship Building: Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with new and existing suppliers, as well as with external bodies like Crown Commercial Service (CCS) and Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC), to leverage national and sector-specific frameworks.
5. Risk Management and Compliance
· Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify and mitigate procurement-related risks, such as supply chain disruptions, supplier failure, price volatility, and non-compliance with legal or ethical standards (e.g., Modern Slavery Act).
· Ethical and Sustainable Procurement: Promote and embed ethical and sustainable procurement practices. This can include working with local suppliers, supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and considering the environmental and social impact of purchasing decisions (a new emphasis within the Procurement Act 2023).
· Audit Trail and Record Keeping: Maintain a robust and auditable trail of all procurement activities, including a central contract register. This is essential for internal and external audit compliance.
6. Line management
The list of duties is not exhaustive but outlines the main features of the post at appointment and may vary as the job evolves without affecting the nature of the duties or the responsibility level.
OFFERS OF WORK
For the successful candidate a conditional offer of work will be made. Our offer of work will be conditional upon a number of mandatory pre-employment checks, to include but not limited to: DBS, Barred List check, right to work check, internet search, TRA check (academic posts).
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
When you join WCG we offer you a whole host of employee benefits, including:
· The opportunity to apply for Hybrid working - (for this role it would require a minimum of 60% working in office per week)
· Generous leave entitlement plus up to 4 free College Closure days a year.
· Comprehensive training programme.
· Leadership & Management training programme to develop our next generation of managers.
· Superb health and wellbeing support with .
· The opportunity to join our voluntary health cash plan run by Health Shield.
· Free on-site gym
· Discounted part time and professional courses.
· Cycle to work scheme.
· Discounted hair & beauty treatments in our college salons.
· Pension schemes.
· Free will writing service.
· Free car parking on-site.
Essential Attainments
* A relevant professional qualification such as the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) diploma or membership.
* Demonstrable experience as a Procurement Manager or in a senior procurement role.
* Strong working knowledge of public sector procurement regulations, including the Procurement Act 2023.
* Proven track record of managing the entire procurement lifecycle, from needs analysis and tender preparation to contract award and management.
Desirable Attainments
* Previous experience working in the Further Education or Higher Education sector.
* Knowledge of procurement frameworks specific to the public sector, such as those provided by agencies like Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) or Crown Commercial Service (CCS).
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £49,927.00-£56,424.00 per year
Benefits:
* On-site parking
* Work from home
Work Location: In person