Lead Procurement Strategist

Position Overview

Please be informed that this position is being advertised on behalf of Atlas BFW Management Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Successful candidates will be employed under Atlas Terms and Conditions. For more information about Atlas, please visit our website.

We are pleased to announce a new opportunity for a Lead Procurement Strategist to join Atlas BFW Management Limited. The Lead Procurement Strategist will collaborate with the Atlas Senior Leadership Team to formulate and enhance the procurement strategy for the organization. The ideal candidate, who must possess a full MCIPS qualification, will supervise a team of procurement professionals to execute the complete procurement lifecycle within the organization.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will oversee the Procurement Manager and be accountable for the continuous implementation and utilization of the contract and procurement management system, Atamis, ensuring its integration throughout the organization.

They will spearhead the creation of an annual procurement plan and establish mechanisms to monitor and report on progress effectively.

As a senior figure within the organization, they will collaborate with Atlas colleagues to manage a diverse portfolio of contracts, engaging with service providers while inspiring and developing their team to meet established performance targets. This will involve close cooperation with partners such as the Lancashire Procurement Cluster.

The Lead Procurement Strategist will serve as the organization's subject matter expert on broader procurement policies and regulations in the UK, working alongside the Atlas Head of Finance to ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, the Atlas Financial Governance framework, and the clients' Standing Financial Instructions.

About Atlas BFW Management Ltd

As specialists in healthcare facilities and property management, we provide comprehensive healthcare facilities services and property management solutions to clients across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Being a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, we are part of the Trust's group and the wider NHS family, yet operate as a separate Limited Company with our own business plan, board, management structure, and staff.

Any profits generated are reinvested to enhance our business, provide additional employment, training, and development for our staff, while also supporting the Trust's frontline clinical services and ensuring safe patient care delivery.

Our healthcare facilities services and property management solutions include: Capital Developments, Estates Management, Facilities Management, Medical Engineering, and Property Services.

Our teams ensure that our clients' properties and amenities create the optimal environment for their customers, patients, staff, and visitors.

Job Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

- Manage and supervise a professional procurement support service for stakeholders across various departments.

- Oversee the procurement pipeline, allocating internal team resources to projects as needed.

- Ensure the precision and reliability of tender documentation and templates.

- Develop and provide guidance for colleagues on incorporating Social Value and Net Zero requirements within tender documentation and templates.

- Act as the subject matter expert within Atlas for Social Value and Net Zero operations, assisting the organization in achieving objectives outlined in NHS England policy.

- Supervise and support the team in procuring high-value, complex contracts, ensuring that appropriate project management processes are established, status reports are generated, and PCR2023 procurement regulations are adhered to.

- Oversee the production of regular reports detailing contract performance, both quantitative and qualitative, for all major contracts rated Gold, Silver, and Bronze within the Atamis system.

- Ensure contract management review procedures are in place, guaranteeing that suppliers and key stakeholders confirm that contracts are performing as expected and that any issues are addressed promptly to prevent service disruption.

- Report all contractual performance as required by the Cabinet Office under PCR2023.

- Collaborate with the Procurement Manager to ensure that the data within the Atamis contracts and procurement software system is accurate and current.

- Develop tailored training for key stakeholders, assisting them in utilizing category and procurement skills to create and implement procurement plans that align with the procurement strategy.

- Support Atlas's strategic procurement objectives by providing training to key stakeholders and colleagues regarding procurement activities, ensuring that colleagues are enhancing their skills in line with business needs.

- Ensure that all relevant colleagues receive comprehensive training on upcoming PCR2023 regulations.

- Ensure that the Procurement Team completes Cabinet Office training covering PCR2023.

- Ensure that all colleagues are trained in preparing contract notices under PCR2023 for relevant procurement activities and that such notices are published in accordance with regulatory requirements.

- Serve as the subject matter expert for PCR2023 within the organization.

- Prepare and implement a procurement development plan for the team, ensuring that formal procurement qualifications are obtained where appropriate to enhance the Procurement Team's skills.

- Ensure that the Procurement Manager has a customized training plan for skill enhancement during the term of this fixed-term position to facilitate succession planning.

- Ensure that procurement management systems function effectively to meet financial governance requirements and achieve all set goals.

- Provide accurate data on behalf of the Procurement Team, collaborating with the Head of Finance to ensure that the contracts database serves as an effective control for budgeting and planning.

- Identify and report efficiency savings achieved throughout the procurement lifecycle via the Atamis system.

Please ensure you have reviewed the complete Job Description & Person Specification for additional information before applying for the position.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• MCIPS qualification and current membership in the institute.
• Proven track record of continuous professional development.

Desirable

• Management qualification.

Knowledge & Experience: General

Essential

• Demonstrated experience working at a senior level in a procurement environment, leading teams, and contributing to the development of procurement strategies.
• Specialized knowledge of professional procurement principles and contract management.
• Experience managing and maintaining a contract management or procurement system.
• Proven experience managing projects in a complex environment.
• Significant experience in contract negotiations with demonstrable influencing and negotiation skills, including full end-to-end procurement process management.
• Extensive experience collaborating with other departments to develop comprehensive and accurate specifications for goods and/or services in a timely manner.
• Evidence of providing commercial and/or contractual advice and guidance at all organizational levels.
• Proven ability to challenge colleagues from other departments to ensure compliance with relevant procurement regulations.
• Significant experience working with specialists to draft contracts for the procurement of goods and services, including reviewing contracts and providing ongoing training to ensure skills remain current.
• Demonstrated experience managing the overall contract position for an organization and keeping all stakeholders informed of the current status and any issues requiring escalation.
• Experience managing tenders and contracts within a regulated environment.
• Leadership experience in a complex and challenging setting.
• Extensive experience managing procurement teams, including the development and training of team members.
• Proven ability to manage relationships with multiple stakeholders and foster team building.
• Professional, clear, and effective communication and presentation skills.
• Evidence of delivering consistent service levels to internal and external service users and seeking opportunities for service improvement.
• Proven time management skills while handling multiple priorities and managing a team.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating and presenting complex data to a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Ability to demonstrate a solid understanding of commercial issues and purchasing methods, achieving value for money and savings through procurement and supply.
• Advanced IT skills, including knowledge of specialized software for contract management, electronic catalogues, and e-procurement systems, along with proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to think strategically and analytically.
• Proven ability to prioritize and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Qualities of perseverance, flexibility, determination, and adaptability.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with all disciplines and seniorities, including at the Board level.