Senior Procurement Professional - Learning & Development

Morson Talent is partnering with a leading client in the Preston area to recruit their next Procurement Professional. Job Title: Procurement Professional Rates: £35.00-£45.50 Location: Preston Technology Centre, Marsh Ln, Preston PR1 8UQ Duration: 12 Months •Will lead and support procurement activities, including: category management, sourcing, supplier relationship management, engaging with internal stakeholders and end users. •Will cultivate strong stakeholder relationships, keeping stakeholders and end users updated and involved in relevant procurements. •Will support the development, delivery and maintenance of a robust category strategy to the procurement of Skills Training and Education Services from the external market. Core Duties The role holder will: •Will support the development, review and maintenance of a robust category strategy to optimise the approach to the procurement of Learning & Development, Skills Training, Education and associated services from the external market. •Will lead sourcing exercises in line with the category strategy and company processes to deliver optimum outcomes for the enterprise and will manage or oversee the end-to-end procurement process (stakeholder and demand management, sourcing, supplier selection, contract negotiation and supplier relationship management) for category requirements. •Will support the Indirect Procurement Services (IPS) Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) approach to secure maximum value from existing and new relationships, including involving key internal stakeholders in the process. •Will foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders and requirement owners and promptly address any escalations within their area of responsibility. •Will be the business-facing first contact point for the procurement of Skills Training, Education and associated services. •Will have a continuous improvement mindset and will work with key internal stakeholders to review relevant processes and procedures, identify and execute opportunities to optimise ways of working. •May have some leadership responsibilities, including managing direct reports, delegating work and conducting approvals in line with their delegation of authority and business process. •Will demonstrate strong influencing skills. •Will cultivate strong stakeholder relationships and be seen by internal and external stakeholders as the initial and primary point of contact for their area of responsibility. Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications Knowledge: •End to end procurement processes including Request for Information (RFI), Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ) and tender activities including communication with suppliers, tender issue via sourcing platform, tender receipt, tender evaluation., down selection and contract placement and management. •Contract knowledge, including experience in negotiating terms and conditions •An interest in Learning & Development and the Education Sector Skills: • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills • Contract negotiation • Supplier relationship management • Contract management • Adaptability and ability to prioritise competing demands in a fast paced environment Qualifications: • CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma (MCIPS), or willing to work towards as a minimum Behaviours Safety: The role holder is responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety ensuring high standards for safety, health and environment (SHE) in our organisation are maintained. This includes co-operating and following all reasonable instruction, information and training reporting work-related hazards or incidents and using all equipment for the purpose intended. More detailed responsibilities are captured within the Company Health & Safety Policy (759/OF/016) and the Company Environmental Policy (759/OF/029).