Contract to start ASAP

Duration: 12 weeks with a possible extension.

Job Purpose

The post holder will be an experienced procurement professional providing specialist knowledge and advice to colleagues, senior management and suppliers.

There is a requirement for substantial working experience in procurement to deal with complex and high-risk issues across a range of procurement and contract management areas.

As a Procurement Category Manager, there is responsibility for managing procurement activities within a given category, supporting the development of the procurement strategy and implementing that category strategy.

It is expected for a Procurement Category Manager to proactively question and challenge Council practice and procedures based on improvements in technology, updates in legislation and the application of best practice.

Procurement Category Managers are accountable for the outcome of each procurement.

There is a requirement to support the supervision of a small team of procurement professionals and a wide range of stakeholders in the procurement of goods, services and works.

Responsibilities:

Operate compliantly within the new Procurement Act 2023; the Sefton Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) applicable from 24 February 2025; support Service Teams to ensure their compliance to the Procurement Act 2023 and the new CPRs by providing clear and consistent advice, support and guidance, to ensure compliance in all our procurement activities and to protect the Council from procurement related challenges.

To apply expert knowledge and technical assurance to influence strategic spending decisions across the Council by working in partnership with the Council's Commissioners, Contract Lawyers and external advisors/partners to develop strategies which maximise value for money on contracts, minimise risk and exposure, align with Council Policies, including Contract Procedure Rules.

Provide procurement expertise, including training when required, experience and support to Service and Project Teams in early market engagement, taking key services to market, advising on appropriate but effective and efficient procurement routes and legal requirements through to implementation that supports the Council delivery services.

Develop and deliver tendering support activities to service areas to ensure key timescales are adhered to.

This includes defining and monitoring KPI's, producing timely and accurate reporting to evidence progress, developing market analysis, designing routes to market, navigating the Councils procurement process, building compliant evaluation models, structuring contracts and managing the tendering and evaluation process/interactions with the marketplace using the Council's chosen electronic opportunities portal.

Support the development and review of procurement strategies, policies, processes and systems in line with national policy and Council policies and procedures to produce and analyse service and management information to contribute to the development of new services and innovative working practices.

Produce and analyse service and management information to contribute to the development of new services and innovative working practices with a view to ensuring compliance, transparency, encouraging competition and improving accessibility to providers where appropriate.

Support the preparation and delivery of reports and presentations for submission to Cabinet, Chief Officers and as required for any other Committees in relation to the activities undertaken within this job profile while managing work related pressures from deadlines, interruptions to workload and balance those conflicting demands of the job.

Excellent communication skills to support services and project teams by being a facilitator in resolving complex issues, negotiating with suppliers and stakeholders as required, creating and/or adopting sustainable outcomes and/or courses of action which might otherwise might not have been taken.

Disclaimer: On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify iWork Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.

OR103143-05-26