Interim Procurement Specialist

The Category and Supplier Relationship Specialist will work with the market and stakeholders to drive the delivery of benefits from our strategic suppliers. This work will be very collaborative in nature, ensuring that continuous improvement approaches are adopted which deliver benefits for both ECC and its suppliers over the entire lifespan of our relationships. The role will also lead the development and implementation of innovative category plans for complex, high spend area. All this activity will require the effective leadership multidisciplinary teams and the support and development of colleagues both within procurement and across the Authority Accountabilities Lead the development, maintenance and implementation of innovative category and supplier relationship plans for high spend / high risk categories and suppliers. Work with colleagues in commissioning and operations to identify gaps in market provision. Lead engagement activity with the market to encourage suppliers to emerge or evolve to meet these requirements. Lead initiatives with key suppliers to identify opportunities for further benefits, promoting collaborative working and promoting a continuous improvement ethos. Benefits could focus on the local economy, skills development or environmental improvements in addition to saving money. Lead the collation of knowledge, insight and innovation from the contract managers, analysts, market and strategic suppliers to help commissioners and operations understand and develop opportunities within their portfolios. Lead complex projects and tenders, ensuring all sourcing activity fully complies with appropriate legislation and regulation whilst also complying with ECC policies. Influence the regional procurement agenda, including identifying and leading cross-authority project teams. Collaborate with and exert influence on Directors, Senior Managers and Members as to the commercial and financial viability of differing commercial options for specific projects within complex and often, contentious environments. Lead 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. Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

• Educated to a degree level with a relevant professional qualification (such as MCIPS) or equivalent demonstrable work experience. Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Extensive knowledge of category management and significant experience of using this methodology in complex commercial environments.
• A demonstrable track record of managing multi-million pound contracts in a large, complex, business critical environment. This should include evidence of using continuous improvement techniques to lead the improvement of key elements of supplier performance, deliver value added opportunities, innovation and the mitigation of contract and supplier risks.
• Extensive knowledge of public sector procurement law and contract law with an ability to explain the law to non-procurement staff and find pragmatic solutions to potential legal difficulties.
• Extensive negotiation skills appropriate to multi million pound contracts and experience of planning and delivering successful negotiations.
• Extensive experience of developing suppliers and markets to meet changing business needs.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Experience of working in a political environment and skilled in understanding and responding to different perspectives.
  
  Please note that Essex County Council has determined that the off-payroll working rules will apply to this assignment and where a worker elects to provide their services through an intermediary (such as a personal services company) then income tax and primary national insurance contributions will be deducted at source from any payments made to the intermediary.
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