Procurement and Contracts Specialist

**Employer**: Wokingham Borough Council

**Salary**: £38,223 - £42,403 per annum

**Location**: Shute End/Home Working

**Contract**: Permanent

**Working Pattern**: Full Time

**Hours**: 37 hours per week.

**DBS Check**: No

**Closing Date**: 15/04/2024 at 23:00

**Reference**: 712076

**Procurement & Contracts Specialist - 712076**

Your main objective will be to provide support and aim to make a positive difference for our communities, working together with the team and wider Council, exploring new ideas to increase efficiencies and maximise best value for the Council. Using your knowledge and experience, you will have the opportunity to be innovative when reviewing, refreshing and developing procurement policies, tools and guidance.

The Procurement and Contracts team supports procurement activity covering a broad range of categories, including finance, legal, social care, public health, transport, IT, construction projects and many others. We will provide support and training to build on and develop your existing skills, while also providing opportunities to obtain knowledge in new categories of services.

Reporting to a Senior Procurement Specialist, this roles is key to driving the development of a commissioning and procurement best practice framework and subsequent implementation, as well as supporting key commercial projects. You will be involved in the procurement of a variety of projects, providing procurement and contract management advice and guidance, reviewing and developing the Council’s procurement rules and procedures, and promoting best commercial practice.

Procurement and contract management experience is essential for this role. We are looking for an individual who:

- is commercially minded with knowledge and good understanding of the public procurement legislation
- has excellent analytical and interpersonal skills
- works well in a team
- is able to communicate in a clear and unambiguous way
- is able to promote and improve commercial services provided to third parties/external stakeholders
- is able to provide clear procurement guidance and contract management advice to support procuring officers and senior managers across the Council
- is able to build and maintain robust relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels

It would be desirable to have:

- experience or excellent understanding of Public Contracts Regulations 2015
- experience in construction and / or housing procurement
- awareness of the forthcoming changes in procurement legislation
- relevant professional qualifications, such as Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, or a recognised business qualification
- Strong IT skills, specifically in PowerPoint and Excel
- Experience in using e-procurement software

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

Wokingham is an equal opportunity employer.