Procurement Manager - Climate, Environment and Customer

Procurement Manager - Climate, Environment and Customer

Permanent

Full Time, 37 hours per week

Up to £52,983 per annum plus Flexible Working & Local Gov Pension

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 2nd March 2025

Do you want to make a difference to real people and real lives? Do you want to be a part of helping to shape the future of our Procurement service at Essex County Council (ECC)?

Did you know that ECC spends c£1.2Billion per annum on 3rd party commissioned services, making it the 2nd largest spending Authority in the UK? The Procurement Team at ECC are award winning and support the organisation to deliver services to 1.4 million residents. We aim to lead the profession on exciting initiatives such as social value, climate action through procurement and how we use our size and scale to support our Levelling up Agenda.

This is an exciting role with Procurement professionals in the Procurement team of Climate, Environment and Customer where your focus will be on the A130 PFI contract to lead through on key contract management workstreams related activity to transition the current contract that ceases in 2030.

You will have the opportunity to be working within one of the largest categories of spend within Essex County Council. Excellent stakeholder skills at all levels, both internal and external, are key as well as a positive 'can do' attitude with the ability to work under your own initiative and complete work to a high standard. You must also be able to adapt to conflicting timeframes and challenging deadlines ensuring these with a positive and pro-active approach.

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 and have the opportunity to progress your career.

You will be joining an established team of professionals and this role would be ideal for an ambitious, hard-working individual with leadership skills who is also able to develop others as well as themselves. This role would also line manage once established.

What's in it for you?

- 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.

- 27 days annual leave (rising with service) plus bank holidays.

- Excellent benefits package - more information can be found via , including a Local Authority Pension Scheme.

- As a large and friendly procurement team with circa 120 staff, we can offer great training pathways and encouragement to all staff for their continual professional development with full support and guidance towards CIPS / MCIPS.

- The roles call for extensive experience in the procurement lifecycle but if you are currently focused on complex sourcing, category strategy or strategic contract management we can cross-train the other parts of the role where you may have less experience.

- We are the largest Local Authority Procurement Team in the UK and have a national reputation for excellence. We are also the only CIPS accredited County Council in the UK.

- Continuous Service - Joining us from another local authority? Then you could benefit from bringing your time served and benefits with you.

Come and 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.

Accountabilities

1. Lead the development, maintenance and implementation of category strategies, ensuring alignment to commissioning objectives.
2. Develop and implement innovative approaches and solutions in the delivery of complex projects to enhance levels of service and minimise costs.
3. Collaborate with and exert influence on Directors, Senior Managers and Members regarding the commercial and financial viability of differing commercial options for specific projects.
4. Manage suppliers to ensure they consistently achieve the performance standards set out in contracts.
5. Take a proactive approach to identifying and investigating contractual, commercial and market risks.
6. Operate a continuous improvement approach to identify and deliver ongoing changes.
7. Lead major projects and tenders, ensuring all sourcing activity complies with appropriate legislation and regulation.
8. Work collaboratively with incumbent suppliers and potential new entrants.
9. Provide support and advice to stakeholders regarding any contractual or procurement matters.
10. Support the adoption of best practice approaches with the aim of ensuring that the Procurement function is seen as 'best in class'.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

1. Educated to degree level with a relevant professional qualification such as MCIPS and/or equivalent demonstrable work experience.
2. Knowledge of category management and experience of using this methodology in complex commercial environments.
3. A demonstrable track record of managing multi-million pound strategic contracts.
4. Experience of delivering continuous improvements in large, strategic arrangements.
5. Knowledge of contract law and legislation relevant to the specific categories within their control.
6. Extensive knowledge of public sector procurement law.
7. Comprehensive negotiating skills appropriate to multi-million pound contracts.
8. Experience of working in a political environment and skilled in understanding and responding to different perspectives.

Apply and next steps

Please apply via the Working for Essex website, ensuring you provide an up-to-date CV and supporting statement when prompted.

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.

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If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please email