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Job Purpose

We have an exciting opportunity for an Interim Procurement Category Manager - ICT. You will be an experienced procurement professional providing specialist knowledge and advice to colleagues, senior management and suppliers. There is a requirement for substantial working experience in procurement to deal with complex and high-risk issues across a range of procurement and contract management areas.

Flexible working with occasional travel to the office. Potential for temp to perm. ASAP Start

Key Responsibilities

• The following are a range of duties appropriate to the role of Procurement Category Manager:
• Operate compliantly within the new Procurement Act 2023; the Sefton Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) applicable from 24 February 2025; support Service Teams to ensure their compliance to the Procurement Act 2023 and the new CPRs by providing clear and consistent advice, support and guidance, to ensure compliance in all our procurement activities and to protect the Council from procurement related challenges.
• To apply expert knowledge and technical assurance to influence strategic spending decisions across the Council by working in partnership with the Council’s Commissioners, Contract Lawyers and external advisors/partners to develop strategies which maximise value for money on contracts, minimise risk and exposure, align with Council Policies, including Contract Procedure Rules.
• Provide procurement expertise, including training when required, experience and support to Service and Project Teams in early market engagement, taking key services to market, advising on appropriate but effective and efficient procurement routes and legal requirements through to implementation that supports the Council delivery services.
• Develop and deliver tendering support activities to service areas to ensure key timescales are adhered to. This includes defining and monitoring KPI’s, producing timely and accurate reporting to evidence progress, developing market analysis, designing routes to market, navigating the Councils procurement process, building compliant evaluation models, structuring contracts and managing the tendering and evaluation process/interactions with the marketplace using the Council’s chosen electronic opportunities portal.
• Support the development and review of procurement strategies, policies, processes and systems in line with national policy and Council policies and procedures to produce and analyse service and management information to contribute to the development of new services and innovative working practices.
• Produce and analyse service and management information to contribute to the development of new services and innovative working practices with a view to ensuring compliance, transparency, encouraging competition and improving accessibility to providers where appropriate.
• Support the preparation and delivery of reports and presentations for submission to Cabinet, Chief Officers and as required for any other Committees in relation to the activities undertaken within this job profile while managing work related pressures from deadlines, interruptions to workload and balance those conflicting demands of the job.
• Excellent communication skills to support services and project teams by being a facilitator in resolving complex issues, negotiating with suppliers and stakeholders as required, creating and/or adopting sustainable outcomes and/or courses of action which might otherwise might not have been taken.
• Provide expert support including influencing, negotiation and other procurement related skills to advise across a wide, complex and diverse range of contracts while managing relationships and situations tactfully, sensitively, professionally and diplomatically.
• Be proactive in maintaining the Contracts Register, reviewing existing contracts with services to ensure effective renewal processes are established to drive a value for money culture, ensure ethical procurement and deliver social value and climate change outcomes.
• Be instrumental in building networks, to enable influencing, contributing to developing strategic and operational partnerships and alliances for procurement with internal and external stakeholders to support the delivery of key priorities and outcomes of the Council.
• Proactively utilise technology to encourage progressive use of e-sourcing, purchase ordering, document management and other appropriate applications to maximise value for money.
• Represent the Council at national/regional events and meetings and collaborative projects, deputising for the Procurement Service Manager as required with a view to maximising the opportunities to the Council in respect of value for money and outcomes for local people.
• Undertake continued professional development to maintain a knowledge and awareness of current legislation, policy, practice and procedures in the post holder’s field of work and to keep others informed as appropriate.
• Support the Procurement Service Manager and the Procurement Officer in the training and development of Procurement Support Officers and undertake any other related duties and responsibilities as they arise and commensurate with the level of this role. Facilitate the implementation and operation of software introduced to enhance compliance to the Procurement Act 2023.

Special Conditions

• The role will predominantly require collaborative working with teams across the Council from remote locations / with opportunity for working from home and alongside Procurement team members.
• There may be a requirement to work outside normal office hours from time to time.
• This postholder will provide the members of the Strategic Leadership Board, Service Managers and elected members with advice and guidance when considering contract and quality issues.
• Since confidential information is involved with the duties of this post, the postholder will be required to exercise discretion at all times and to observe relevant codes of practice and legislation in relation to data protection and personal information.
• Undertake, and participate in training, coaching and development activities, as appropriate.

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' or call us on 020 7096 2981 for further details.