Category Specialist

The role
**Job Title - Category Specialist**

**Salary - Grade PO3 (£40,854 to £52,632 per annum)**

**Permanent - Full Time**

The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth present a unique opportunity to be part of a team who have been working together for a number of years in a ground-breaking shared staffing structure across both Councils.

This Shared Procurement Service offers procurement professionals an excellent opportunity to expand current skills and experience due to the increased value and scope of procurement activity across the two Councils.

The Shared Procurement Service provides a combined procurement service to both Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. The Councils operate a fully centralised procurement service with an established team of procurement professionals. Recently restructured to establish a Transactional Procurement Team to enable the core category teams to more effectively support commissioners, and currently embedding new procurement software.
- A demonstrable track record of success within a comparable sized organisation.
- Knowledge and experience of UK Procurement Law in practice.
- Knowledge of current best practice procurement as it relates to public sector procurement.
- Experience or knowledge of developing category-based action plans.

**About the role**:
To provide support and assistance to the Category Manager, and Head of Procurement to ensure compliant procurement processes and working practices are consistent with the requirements of the Public Contract Regulations and, internal procurement codes of practice and contract standing orders.

To proactively lead, manage and deliver contracts using the most commercially appropriate, legally compliant, routes to market that consider life cycle costing, resilience, value for money, social value and internal policies.

Working closely with the Transactional Procurement Team to facilitate timely publication of contract notices and associated tender packs.

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance. These include flexible / home working and a generous holiday allowance of 40 days including bank holidays. In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities is also offered.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: 26th February 2024

Shortlisting Date: W/C 26th February 2024

Interview Date: TBC

Useful Information:
Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.