Procurement Specialist

The main purpose of the post is to ensure that the ICO has compliantly procured third party contracts with suppliers, delivering high quality services and value for money. The Procurement Specialist must understand and adhere to all relevant public procurement regulations, government spending controls and ICO policies. The role will play a key part in delivering Corporate Plan objectives and achieving ‘better for less’.
The Procurement Specialist will run procurements for the ICO, assist key stakeholders with managing their relationships with suppliers, assist them to monitor contractual performance and ensure that opportunities for continual improvement are explored and implemented., The post-holder will work with key stakeholders to develop their procurement requirements. The role will research viable routes to market, assist key stakeholders with pre-market engagement, draft tender documentation and take the lead on running procurement exercises.
The post-holder will have a close working relationship with the solicitors in the Commercial Legal Team to ensure that appropriate contract documentation is included in procurement packs and will work with them to finalise contract documentation with winning bidders.
Post-procurement, the role will work with key stakeholders in the management of supplier contracts and request support from the Commercial Legal Team as required., + Engage with key stakeholders to develop their annual procurement plans, advise on routes to market and assist with appropriate pre-market engagement.
+ Assist in the development of the annual procurement plan, ensure this is kept up to date Prepare and keep updated and report progress to the Head of Procurement required.
+ Preparing tender documentation by liaising with key stakeholders and Commercial Legal as required, including recommending appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) and management terms for inclusion.
+ End to end running of procurement exercises, advising on and leading key stakeholders through the procurement process.
+ Ensure that continuous improvement is part of everything that procurement do in meeting the ICO key objectives.
+ Keep up to date with Procurement Policy Notes, and other Central Government procurement guidance, and ensure any requirements are implemented into ICO procurement practice.
+ Ensure that the ICO and its stakeholders understand and adhere to the governance of spending controls and legislation as an Arm’s Length Body (ALB).
+ Assist key stakeholders with supplier relationship management focusing on supplier performance, development & innovation.
+ Maintaining and monitoring the ICO contracts register to ensure key stakeholders are aware of contract status..
+ Ensure key stakeholders make timely decisions on required contract extensions or contract close-out. Where re-procurements or new service procurements are required, ensure they are planned in a timely fashion and transition periods factored in and monitored.
+ Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure any contract variations are managed appropriately and that the relevant depts are consulted and informed.
+ Attend budget meetings and advise where necessary. Ensure any relevant information is then shared within the department.
+ Review draft ICO business cases and add procurement advice where required.
+ Support key stakeholders in their relationships with suppliers, including attending supplier meetings with them where necessary.
+ Review and update procurement documentation as and when required.

+ Experience relevant to the role requirements, as described in the role responsibilities and person specification, and accumulated through any combination of academic or vocational qualifications or experience
+ Minimum of 3 years’ experience of managing relationships with key stakeholders.
+ Experience of running complex procurements from cradle to grave
+ Experience within a procurement or commercial function.
+ Excellent standard of literacy and effective written communication skills for drafting procurement literature or proposing contract variations.
Essential criteria assessed during interview:
+ Ability to challenge the views of stakeholders and manage expectations whilst maintaining appropriate relationships through strong interpersonal & influencing skills
+ Strong analytical and numerical skills demonstrating an ability to evaluate data to ensure suitable business decisions are taken.
+ Good verbal communication and presentation skills including the ability to explain technical matters to a non-technical audience.
+ Ability to deal with a demanding workload which may include conflicting demands on time.
Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team, Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together with a number of staff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website.

Salary: £40,565 - £45,948pa, with potential for further progression to £51,730pa with our pay progression scheme.
Location: Hybrid
Contracted to our Wilmslow, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast office, however, we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need.
Why work for the ICO?
+ Pay progression scheme.
+ Hybrid and flexible working options.
+ 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays.
+ Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year).
+ Pension (employer contribution around 28.9%)
+ Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more.
+ Health Cash Plan.
+ Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.
Further details can be found on the benefits section of our website ., Alongside your salary of £40,565, Information Commissioner's Office contributes £11,751 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides., Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICO’s commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme.