Procurement Assistant Manager - Children & Families

About the role

Procurement Assistant Manager - Children & Families

Fixed Term, 12 months

Full Time, 37 hours per week

£34,266 to £40,313 per annum plus Flexible Working & Local Gov Pension

Location: Chelmsford / Hybrid

Working Style: Anywhere worker - expectation to attend the office (County Hall, Chelmsford) is typically once to twice based on business needs

Closing date: 5th January 2025

Please note that this is a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity for a period of 12 months.

The Opportunity

The role of Procurement is to work with stakeholders across ECC to understand requirements for goods and services make an assessment of the market and determine the appropriate strategy for each spend area. The team also actively manage strategic suppliers and their contracts.

The Procurement Assistant Manager will manage the delivery of sourcing processes in a compliant and timely manner. Directly accountable for assigned contracts and assisting in the strategic management of smaller contracts, ensuring that service level agreements and key performance indicators are monitored, and any improvements are executed. The role will negotiate commercial or contractual terms for contracts worth below £25 million to achieve positive outcomes and ensure contracts keep pace with ECC’s changing requirements.

We are looking for an experienced procurement professional to fulfil this truly wide-ranging role spanning both category and contract work you will deal with the full procurement lifecycle, touching all elements of the process from cradle to grave.

You will gain extensive knowledge and have the opportunity to progress your career using best practice methodology. Great stakeholder skills are key as well as a 'can do' attitude and this is an opportunity to be part of a professional team.

This is a great role in a vibrant and growing team. You'll find an inclusive culture and a place where your opinion is valued.

For more information on Procurement careers within the Council and the broader Procurement Service, visit https://workingforessex.com/careers-in-procurement .

What’s in it for you?

Make a difference to the local community, be that infrastructure, climate change or adult social care and help us transform Essex to a circular economy as we redefine growth and focus on positive society-wide benefits.
We are a very large procurement team with circa 120 staff and have seen the department grow by 25% over the last 18 months. Annual Spend of £1.2 billion.
We are one of the few CIPS accredited County Councils in the UK.
We are the largest Local Authority Procurement Team in the UK and have a national reputation for excellence.
Work for a high performing team with great team morale and friendly, helpful, and supportive colleagues.
Great training pathways. Encouragement to all staff for their continual professional development with full support and guidance towards CIPS / MCIPS
Flexible working - with no official start or finish time you can make your work arrangement work around the other elements of your life offering a fantastic work / life balance.
Local Authority Pension Scheme. For more details please visit:https://www.essexpensionfund.co.uk/
27 days annual leave plus bank holiday.
37 hour working week.

What will you be doing?

Lead the development, maintenance, and implementation of category strategies, ensuring alignment to commissioning objectives.
Develop and implement innovative approaches and solutions in the delivery of complex projects to enhance levels of service and minimise costs. This requires working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation and externally, to ensure best practice can be achieved when implementing new ways of working.
Collaborate with Senior Managers and Members as to the commercial and financial viability of differing commercial options for specific projects within complex and at times, contentious environments.
Manage suppliers to ensure they consistently achieve the performance standards set out in contracts and that adequate controls are in place to protect the Authority's interests. Take a proactive approach to identifying and investigating contractual, commercial and market risks to ensure continuity of supply and protect the Authority's interests.
Operate a continuous improvement approach to identify and deliver on-going changes whilst also leading the negotiation of commercial and contractual changes to ensure they consistently meet business requirements.
Lead projects and tenders, ensuring all sourcing activity fully complies with appropriate legislation and regulation whilst also complying with ECC policies.
Work collaboratively with incumbent suppliers and potential new entrants to identify gaps in market provision and explore opportunities to close those gaps.
Provide support and advice to stakeholders regarding any contractual or procurement matters.
Support the adoption of best practice approaches with the aim of ensuring that the Procurement function is seen as 'best in class'. Ensure policies, procedures, documents, and workflows are kept up-to-date and remain best in class.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

Educated to A level with a relevant professional qualification such as MCIPS or working towards such a qualification or equivalent demonstrable work experience with evidence of continuing professional development.
Knowledge of category management and experience of using this methodology in complex commercial environments to deliver significant cost or service improvements.
A demonstrable track record of managing strategic contracts in business-critical environments. This should include evidence of defining, measuring, and improving key elements of supplier performance.
Evidence of some experience of delivering continuous improvements in strategic arrangements with evidence of generating significant cost and service benefits.

Desirable:

Evidence of some knowledge of contract law and legislation relevant to the specific category / categories within their control and its impact on market management, finance, and contractual arrangements.
Extensive knowledge of public sector procurement law with an ability to explain the law to non-procurement staff and find pragmatic solutions to potential legal difficulties.
Comprehensive negotiating skills appropriate to multi-million pound contracts and experience of planning and delivering successful negotiations.
An awareness of working in a political environment.

To read more about us please visit: https://workingforessex.com/careers-in-procurement

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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Procurement Assistant Manager – Children & Families