Procurement Lead Officer

TH2839

Procurement Lead Officer

Huntingdon

Full Time - 37 hours per week

Hybrid (2 days in the office, with some flexibility required)

Temporary contract 3 – 6 months

£25.00 per hour

Our client based in Huntingdon has an exciting opportunity to join their team as a Procurement Lead Officer

The Role:

The Procurement Lead Officer role is to guide staff on the selection of the appropriate route to procurement, in line with Public Sector procurement legislation.  Working with each service, the role may involve sourcing or obtaining quotations, tendering or conducting mini-competitions from a framework contract. The role will need to provide support, advice and guidance throughout the procurement cycle (or sign post to appropriate avenues) which could include, cost analysis, spend management, strategic buying, partnership contracts, the potential for collaboration, lifecycle costing, progress chasing, contract management, dealing with disputes, basic contract related work, use of SME’s, sustainable procurement, ethics, modern day slavery, compliance with the Code of Procurement and the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (and procurement policy notes).

What you will be doing:

• To provide subject matter expertise for all procurement activity and take an active role in complex and high value procurement matters, using their knowledge and experience to deliver the best value for money outcomes for the organisation.
• Ownership, maintenance and update of the Code of Procurement (embedded within its Constitution) – to ensure the best outcomes economically, reputationally and within the relevant legislation
• To provide guidance and facilitate training for all staff in line with the procurement strategy:
  • Maintain/curate detailed guidance, training and support means all staff to be involved in the procurement process.
  • Facilitate awareness and training sessions to reinforce with regular briefing, coaching, and validation sessions, including decision aids re sustainability and other key factors e.g., buying to assist the local economy.
  • To uplift overall procurement expertise amongst contract managers and regular purchasers of goods and services to reduce the reliance on the Procurement role.
• To relay guidance for potential vendors / contractors on opportunities to supply the with goods and services and how to submit tenders and quotations.
• To work with internal support services such as Finance and ICT to help identify opportunities and improve digital procurement systems and opportunities, streamlining payment methods and improve quotation and tender management.
• To introduce specific performance indicators for the main externally procured goods and services, and use this intelligence to drive process improvements and value for money.
• To utilise appropriate joint working arrangements with local procurement partnerships e.g., ESPO and joint working with neighbouring and national procurement initiatives e.g., Improving opportunities for Small Medium Enterprises, Modern Day Slavery, reduction of carbon from the supply chain.
• Develop reporting to capture local procurement spend and introduce guidance to help facilitate increasing this spend, whilst still meeting the value for money needs and legislation requirements.
• Provide line management for the Procurement Support Assistant, including day to day delivery of tasks, training and performance management of the individual
• The responsibilities outlined above cannot totally encompass or define all tasks that may be required of the postholder.  The outline of responsibilities given above may, therefore, vary from time to time without materially changing either the character or level of responsibility or grade.

What you will need:

Knowledge and Qualifications

Good knowledge of Public Sector Procurement legislation and practices, including but not limited to:

• Public Contracts Regulations 2015

incl. Regulation 84

• Social Value Act 2012
• Late Payments Act 1998

Ideally, hold, a professional qualification and/or membership of CIPS; a relevant degree would be an advantage.

Experience

Experience in Public Sector procurement including:

• Facilitating training and expert advice
• Examining, advising on and negotiating contracts

Using appropriate tools e.g., Contracts Finder.

Skills and Abilities

• Clear and concise written and spoken communication skills
• Ability to present written information in a structured and balanced way appropriate to the needs of the reader
• Confidence to give advice / persuade / negotiate within the confines of the regulations.
• High standards of information technology skills, experienced user of Microsoft Office (particularly Excel and Word).  Experience of using a Tendering Portal and Financial Management Systems.
• Understanding the needs of the (internal) customer of the expertise and helping them to use the knowledge effectively.

If you are interested, please click to apply or call our office on .

Please note that at times due to the volume of applications we may not be able to respond to each person individually. If you do not hear from us within 7 days we’re sorry you have not been successful this time. Please do not let this stop you applying for other positions you may be suitable for. Good Luck!1st Choice Staff Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and acts as both an Employment Agency & Business.