Procurement Officer

Post Designation: Procurement Officer

The Council's procurement team will play the central role in guiding and advising other departments to achieve the twin objectives of achieving social value and value for money from all its procurement exercises.

Operational work for the Procurement Team is split into three categories: People, Place, and Resources. Each category has a Category Lead, one or two Category Managers, and one or two Procurement Officers. The Procurement Officer will report to the Category Lead for the team in which they are based and will support the team as well as provide procurement advice and guidance to individual directorates within the Council to ensure that they deliver effective procurement exercises which seek social value outcomes and value for money within a procurement regulatory environment.

The Procurement Officers will initially be responsible for delivering individual workstreams within a procurement exercise and, if not already qualified, will seek qualified status and membership in the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).

Main Duties:

1. Support the Category Lead in providing advice and guidance on procurement regulatory matters and corporate governance relating to procurement processes to ensure compliance with national and local procurement regulations.
2. Contribute to the development of a culture of performance management of contracts to ensure maximum value and social value benefits are achieved.
3. Assist in developing and promoting best practices in supplier relationship management to minimize potential risk to the Council.
4. Contribute to the development of the service area's procurement strategy, setting targets that contribute to medium-term financial savings and other Council policies.
5. Promote a commercial approach to contract award decisions and positively influence key stakeholders.
6. Attend and contribute to key Service Management team meetings in the absence of a Category Lead or Category Manager.
7. Represent the Council at national, regional, and sub-regional forums relating to procurement matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Work alongside the Category Lead to ensure the Council’s procurement Strategy, Social Value Policy, and Procedures are continuously developed.
2. Interpret government procurement regulations and policies to maintain regulatory compliance.
3. Produce decision-making reports and respond to Members' inquiries in collaboration with the Head of Procurement.
4. Maintain knowledge of procurement legislation and best practices.
5. Analyze and interpret market conditions and trends to advise on procurement models.
6. Lead and manage end-to-end procurement exercises of contracts up to £500,000.
7. Promote an environment of continual review and ongoing development of procurement processes.
8. Contribute to procurement board and project meetings to ensure successful delivery.
9. Produce and implement procurement plans and roadmaps.
10. Ensure contracts are developed with clear and measurable Key Performance Indicators.
11. Lead workshops for SMEs and VCSE organizations and assist in delivering procurement training.
12. Advise business managers on the development and delivery of procurement policy and procedures.
13. Embed corporate procurement requirements into service procurement strategies.
14. Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with procurers and commissioners.
15. Report and manage risk and issues within individual workstreams.
16. Supervise the Procurement Support Officer to ensure deadlines are met.
17. Represent the Council at meetings with external contractors and partners.
18. Report and record identified irregularities to Corporate Anti-Fraud.
19. Perform all duties in line with the Council's staff values.
20. Carry out duties in accordance with health and safety regulations and relevant legislation.
21. Undertake any other work appropriate to the level and nature of the post.

Must have been working effectively in the PO1 role for a minimum of 12 months, and up to 24 months.