Procurement officer

· Providing professional advice and guidance to the environmental services team on all areas of procurement and contract management, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements to achieve best value and best practice.

· To fully support the procurement activities of all service areas, taking the lead on the acquisition and disposition of goods and services, assisting service areas in the development of specifications and conducting competitive procurement programmes.

· Ensure cost, quality and delivery of services on contracts is achieved to maximize value for money and continuous improvement

· Help develop and implement procurement strategies, leading on high value, complex procurement projects.

· Maintain relationships with the supply chain to obtain the most competitive pricing combined with security of supply / service; considering quality, whole life costing and risk profile.

Key Duties/Accountabilities

· Lead the divisional managers and teams to develop new procurement activity and contracts delivering clear service improvements and real cash savings.

· Lead managers and teams on the assessment of current needs and expenditure, assessment of markets and early engagement with markets

· Develop and maintain a contracts database for the service area, listing contract value and timetable for reprocurement / market testing.

· Carry out supplier reviews and maintain the service's procurement and contract risk register.

· Maintain strong presence in external networks to identify collaborative procurements.

· Advise managers on all procurement and contract management issues, building strong and positive relationships across the council and champion a quality and performance culture to ensure service delivery is effective and responds to identified needs.

· Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation.

· Skill up the division in best practice procurement through training.

· Develop commercial contract management skills in the division.

· Develop and maintain a full awareness of current issues and challenges facing local government and of best procurement practice and contract management

· Identify opportunities for savings through procurement and provide expenditure analysis and reports using data from finance systems.

· Experience in producing procurement documentation to deliver successful outcomes through good process management is essential.

· Significant and demonstrable experience of managing a large portfolio of contracts and commercial relationships is essential.

· Experience of local government procurement processes and procedures, demonstrating confidence in the development and use of procurement and contract documentation is essential.

Essential Qualification Required:

· Management qualification - degree level + post graduate qualifications or vocational equivalent. CIPS qualification at level 3 or above or Certificate in Public Procurement is essential.

· Membership of a relevant chartered or professional body e.g. the Chartered institute of Procurement and Supply is desirable.