Senior Business Partner

Based in Luton, Bedfordshire our highly recognised client with exciting plans for the future is exclusively working with MRK Associates in their search for a Senior Business Partner, on a permanent basis. The role offers flexibility with 2-3 days in the office per week.

This job would suit someone who is MCIPS, or equivalent, qualified with category management experience from a regulated or public sector environment. They will be responsible for lead transformation initiatives, manage a sub-team responsible for category-specific procurements, and assist the Head of Procurement by providing guidance to senior stakeholders and the wider team.

This is a business known to everyone that has seen significant growth in recent years due to significant investment and further plans are in place to double the customer base further in the medium term. They are currently in the process of implementing a new Procurement system, Jaggaer, with the aim that improved processes with allow the Procurement Team to spend more time on higher value-add activities, such as Category Management and Contract Management, which are currently at an early stage of maturity.

The successful individual will have a successful track record of managing a team and getting the best from them, with a proven track record of resolving queries and influencing people as well as building collaborative partnerships with stakeholders and suppliers. This person must be able to create and implement a category management approach, that can be broadly adopted across all categories, whilst having responsibility of one category area. Expertise in category and contract management, with knowledge of EU procurement regulations and competition law is a requirement. Excellent communication (both written and oral) is essential, as well as strong teamworking and presentational skills.

Job responsibilities:

• Develop governance, processes and training plans.
• Set key objectives, create opportunities to promote an environment of continuous improvement and development.
• Promote positive working relationships by building on the different strengths of people in the team and support the development of individuals' knowledge, capabilities and skills to further the aims of procurement and supply.
• Support the personal and professional development of individuals to enhance their performance.
• Assist in the creation of implementing category management and contract management processes and initiatives across the airport.
• Oversee the creation & management of category strategies, liaising with senior stakeholders to effectively implement in line with the corporate strategy.
• Attend, support and present at monthly category strategy meetings.
• Attend, support and present at the Procurement Committee (ProCo).
• Secure goods/works/services on strategic requirements at best value, achieved through effective sourcing, supplier negotiations and supplier relationship management.
• Create value through supplier partnerships, innovation, social value & sustainable initiatives.
• Collate and analyse data that supports and improves the performance of the team.
• Oversee system data analytics, proactively analysing contracts, spend and market opportunities within allocated category. Identifying areas for efficiencies.
• Create risk assessments, registers or other risk evaluation tools and agree actions to mitigate risks with suppliers and other stakeholders.
• Evaluate the range of routes to market and contracting options for major programmes or complex procurement activity.
• Manage the trade offs and conflicts between stakeholders in sourcing activities and complex contracts and advise on commercial priorities.
• Keep abreast of and communicate to stakeholders any changes of policy, legislative and regulatory requirements affecting procurement and the supply chain.
• Review internal documents, processes and policies regularly to ensure it captures the latest business needs and requirements.
• Recognise the need for change and promote change in a positive manner to the team, encouraging their comments and contribution to the process.
• Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with stakeholders, ensuring collaboration, alignment and engagement, promoting the benefits of procurement to the business.
• Other duties and projects as and when they may be required by the Head of Procurement

This is a great opportunity for an experienced procurement leader to work in a newly designed position in a growing, well-recognised business where they can make a real difference as the function evolves.

For more information about this role or any other Senior Business Partner jobs in Luton, Bedfordshire please don't hesitate to contact us in confidence or visit our website.

Every application will receive a response as this is the recognised working practice at MRK Associates.

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