Job description | OXCC Procurement

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Head of Procurement

and Contract Management

£84,784 - £96,344 per annum

Job Profile

Job purpose

The role of procurement and contract management is to support both Councils 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.

The postholder will provide proactive and visible leadership to the Councils' Procurement and Contract Management function.

The postholder will be expected to act as a senior advisor to Members, Senior Leadership Teams (Chief Executives Direct Reports and Extended Leadership Team) across both Councils and to support lead Officers within Service Areas to achieve their procurement and contract management outcomes.

The postholder will also be responsible for driving the transformation of the Councils' approach to procurement and contract management and for the delivery of corporate objectives relating to procurement and contract management (including savings targets).

For the Health, Education and Social Care portfolio of spend categories this will include delivery of procurement and contract management activities for jointly commissioned services by the Council and the CCG.

The role will require joint working with the both Councils' Senior Leadership Teams, other Senior Officers, Members, Suppliers, Communities and other Partners, therefore being able to build working relationships and effectively communicate complex, professional advice is vital.

The postholder will be a senior officer at both councils and will be expected to work across both locations.

Key relationships

External: The postholder will be able to evidence an ability to build, and maintain, a wide network of contacts from within the public and private sectors at national and local level including external suppliers, business organisations, integrated care systems, the NHS, Clinical Commissioning Groups, local partnerships, council-owned companies/enterprises' regeneration organisations and government departments.

Internal: The postholder will be able to evidence an ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a range of Local Authority stakeholders including Chief Executives, Leadership Teams, Directors, Assistant and Deputy Directors and elected Members.

Job responsibilities

Function Leadership

To lead a best practice procurement and contract management function and support both Councils to deliver effective and consistent services and ensure that products and services purchased from suppliers represent value for money.

To act as the principal professional adviser on procurement and contract management matters to Directors and Elected Members, supporting effective decision making in relation to the procurement of goods and services from suppliers.

Strategy and Decision Making

To lead the delivery of the aims and ambitions of both Councils, as set by both Councils' Leadership Team, specifically relating to the management of expenditure with Third Parties.

To work closely with both Councils' Leadership Teams to define the Council’s approach to procurement and contract management then oversee its delivery which ensures quality and value for the Councils and their Partners.

Relationships and Stakeholder Management

To build and promote relationships across both Councils, their Suppliers and other Partners which deliver effective and consistent services, and which represent value for money.

To work with Commissioners, Service Leads and Category Managers across both Councils to drive the delivery of procurement and contract management activities, managing complex issues as required.

To oversee the development of advice, written reports and briefings relating to procurement and contract management activity to Members, both Councils' Leadership Teams, Programme Boards, Committees, MPs, and other stakeholders as required.

Technical / Professional

To lead the delivery of all procurement and contract management activity across the Council ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of the required outcomes and benefits.

To ensure 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.

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

To ensure that the Councils' procurement and contract management policies, processes and systems are fit for purpose; to constructively review policies, procedures and documents and identify opportunities for continuous service improvement

To be accountable for building, deploying and embedding 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 be responsible for bringing knowledge and new ideas that supports the Council to think about and deliver services differently, contributing to the cultural changes required to successfully deliver public services in the future.

Team Management and Development

To line manage Heads of Category, ensuring their direct reports and the overall Procurement and Contract Management function has 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. (A,D)

Extensive procurement and contract management work experience spanning at least 10 years (at least 5 at a senior level) with demonstrable impact across the procurement and contract management cycle. (A, I)

Demonstrable experience of leading Procurement and Contract Management functions in organisations of comparable scope and complexity including relevant operational experience, which demonstrates wide exposure to complex practices gained working at a senior level within a large, complex organisation. (A, I)

Proven track record of delivering against ambitious third-party spend savings targets and helping public sector organisations achieve their outcomes. (A, I)

Significant experience of successfully leading teams, managing resources, and project management to deliver outcomes, quality, and value in the public sector. (A, I)

Demonstrable experience of budget and resource management and contributing to financially related decisions on high level spending with excellent end-to-end project management skills. (A, I)

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

Professionally and technically competent, and able to advise senior professionals, members and chief officers on procurement and contract management related matters that will drive change and benefits, including cost reduction. (A, I, P)

Proven experience of delivering effective transformation and change to procurement and contract management activities through building and maintaining effective relationships with senior management teams. (A, I, P)

Strong, up to date knowledge of current and potential industry challenges, changes, developments and trends. (A, I, P)

Demonstrable commercial awareness and acumen, including an understanding of supply market dynamics and the influence of procurement and service delivery models on those markets. (A, I, P)

Excellent commercial and market awareness. Forward thinking with the ability to consider the big picture and to anticipate and react to future events which would impact contract management, category management and procurement. (A, I, P)

Strong ability to lead and promote innovation, new ways of working and collaboration across a wide range of stakeholders, including other Council Directorates, Members, Partners, (A, I, P)

Suppliers and Communities.

Strong 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, P, T)

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

Key Behaviours (I, T)

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

Desireable Criteria and Assessment Method

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

Demonstrable experience in income generation, commercialisation of the supply chain, managing budgetary pressures, alternative delivery models and planning for future demand trends across Local Government services. (A,I)

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

Relevant Management Qualification (post graduate level). (A)

Extensive procurement and contract management work experience spanning at least 10 years in the public sector (A,D)

Call Becca Farnon on 020 3031 9628.