Category Manager (Children's Social Care)

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Category Manager

(Children's Social Care)

£42,821 - £49,860 per annum

Job Profile

Job purpose

The role of procurement and contract management is to support both Councils, and the wider public sector system in Oxfordshire, to deliver effective and consistent services and ensure that products and services purchased from suppliers represent value for money.

We work with our Residents, Staff, Members, Partners and Suppliers to ensure the delivery of required outcomes, in a consistent way, using the right skills and the most appropriate delivery vehicles.

We drive continuous improvement so we can be even more ambitious for our organisations and communities in the future.

We support our Organisation, People and Partners to look forward, using analysis and evidence to inform plans, manage risks appropriately, apply insight and manage markets to ensure the delivery of effective services for our local people.

We learn and adapt to deliver positive outcomes in efficient and consistent ways, constructively challenging how services are provided and working together to build on our strengths.

Reporting to the Head of Category the postholder will be responsible for the delivery of key procurement and contract management activities in relation to Children social care.

The postholder will work closely with Commissioners, Service Leads and other members of the Category Team to ensure that the products and services purchased within their Level 1 category represent value for money.

The post holder will work with Category Officers and Procurement and Contract Management Officers to deliver agreed procurement and contract management activities in relation to their Level 1 category, ensuring that resources are flexed and prioritised to meet changing demands and to ensure performance aims and objectives are successfully delivered in accordance with agreed targets.

The role will require joint working with other Council Directorates, Senior Officers, Members, Suppliers, Communities and other Partners, therefore being able to build working relationships and communicate effectively is important.

The postholder will be an Officer at both councils and will be expected to work across both locations.

Job responsibilities

Function Leadership

To form part of both Councils joint Procurement and Contract Management function Leadership Team, supporting both Councils to deliver effective and consistent services and ensure that products and services, within the Children’s spend category, purchased from suppliers represent value for money.

To act as a professional adviser on procurement and contract management matters to Service Leads and other Officers for the Children’s spend category supporting effective decision making in relation to the procurement of goods and services from suppliers.

Strategy and Decision Making

To support the Procurement and Contract Management function’s Senior Leadership Team to deliver the aims and ambitions of both Councils relating to the management of expenditure with Third Parties.

To work with Commissioners and Service Leads across both Councils to drive the development of a category strategy for Children’s social care ensuring that this is consistent with the overall category strategy owned by the Head of Category.

Relationships and Stakeholder Management

To build and promote relationships, relating to Children’s social care, across both Councils, their suppliers and other partners which deliver effective and consistent services, and which represent value for money.

To work with Commissioners and Service Leads across both Councils to deliver procurement and contract management activities for the Children’s spend category.

Technical / Professional

To drive the delivery of procurement and contract management activity for Children’s social care across both Councils, ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of the required outcomes and benefits.

To support the Head of Category in ensuring that both Councils are compliant with the requirements of Standing Orders relating to Contracts and the European Procurement Directives (or replacement) and all legislative requirements associated with the procurement of goods and services within a public sector organisation for Children’s social care.

To drive to the development of advice, written reports and briefings relating to procurement and contract management activity, for Children’s social care, for review by Head of Category and circulation to Directors, Directorate Leadership Teams, Programme Boards, Committees and other stakeholders as required.

To adopt and champion the Procurement and Contract Management function’s new ways of working (including the governance framework, policies, processes and procedures) as set out as part of the Procurement and Contract Management function design approved by Chief Executives Direct Reports (CEDR) in June 2020.

To support the Procurement and Contract Management function’s Senior Leadership Team to identify opportunities for continuous service improvement within Children’s social care.

To adopt and champion best practice methodologies and toolkits that supports consistent and quality delivery of procurement and contract management activity which in turn will support the Council to achieve its strategic business aims.

To contribute knowledge and new ideas that supports the Council to think about and deliver services differently within Childen’s social care

Team Management and Development

To line manage Category Officers and Procurement / Assistant Procurement & Contract Management Officers, ensuring their direct reports have the relevant capabilities, capacity and culture to deliver the Council’s procurement and contract management priorities efficiently and effectively.

To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grading of the post.

Selection Criteria

This section provides a list of essential and desirable criteria that detail the skills, knowledge, behaviours, qualifications and experience that a candidate should have in order to perform the job. The selection criteria provides a list of essential (no more than 8-10) and desirable criteria (no more than 4). The criteria are aligned to our corporate values.

Each of the criteria listed below will be measured through; the application form (A), a test/exercise (T), an interview (I), a presentation (P) or documentation (D).

You must provide a supporting statement as part of your application which includes examples and evidence of when you have demonstrated the criteria listed below. You will be expected to address each point separately and in the order listed. If you do not complete a full supporting statement in the requested format your application may be rejected.

Essential Criteria and Assessment Method

Full Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS) or an appropriate equivalent body, or a willingness to commit to achieving MCIPS within three years of appointment. (A,D)

Extensive procurement and contract management work experience in the public sector with demonstrable impact across the procurement and contract management cycle. (A,I)

Experience of managing strategic commercial relationships with key suppliers and major contractors within the Children's spend category. (A,I)

Significant knowledge of category management, strategic procurement processes and contract management including emerging practices. (A,I)

Experience of managing a team in an organisation of comparable scope and complexity. (A,I)

Experience of delivering against third-party spend savings targets, in areas relevant to the [specific level 1 spend category]. (A,I)

Experience of budget and resource management and end-to-end project management skills. (A,I)

Significant knowledge and understanding of procurement and contract management policy, practices, procedures and legislation. (A,I)

Professionally and technically competent, and confident to advise Senior Officers on procurement and contract management matters relating to their Children's spend category. (A,I)

Evidence of knowledge of current and potential industry challenges, changes, developments and trends across their Children's spend category. (A,I)

Demonstrable commercial awareness and acumen, including an understanding of supply market dynamics and the influence of procurement and service delivery models on those markets relating to their Children's spend category. (A,I)

Ability to lead and promote innovation, new ways of working and collaboration across a wide range of stakeholders in relation to their Children's spend category. (A,I)

Ability to communicate effectively, build strong relationships, work flexibly and manage complex issues with a wide range of stakeholders including Suppliers, Partners and Communities. (A,I)

Analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrable ability to analyse, synthesise and present issues to individuals, small and large groups internally and externally. (A,I)

Key Behaviours (I)
- Takes ownership and accountability for their personal performance.
- Builds strong relationships and networks, takes a collaborative approach with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Role models a positive, can-do attitude with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Is curious and actively seeks out emerging practices and development opportunities.
- Supports a strong team culture, empowering team members and supports team member’s learning and development.
- Communicates and collaborates pro-actively.
- Displays informed decision making
- Promotes a blameless culture.
- Resilient, determined and confident
- Provides their direct reports defined structures and objectives and applies robust performance management
- Provides their direct reports defined structures and objectives and applies robust performance management.

Desireable Criteria and Assessment Method

International Association for Contract & Commercial Management (IACCM) certification or equivalent contract and commercial management qualification desirable. (A,D)

Experience of programme management and relevant programme management qualification (e.g. MSP). (A,D)

Call Becca Farnon on 020 3031 9628.