Procurement Strategy Specialist

Job Title: Strategic Sourcing Officer

Salary: £32,076.00 – £33,945.00

Hours: 37

Contract: Secondment/Fixed Term – 12 months

Location: Civic/Apex/Hybrid

Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.

As a Strategic Sourcing Officer, you will excel in enhancing your current skills while acquiring new, transferable abilities. Your daily responsibilities will involve assisting a compact strategic sourcing team with various IT-related initiatives and procurement activities, including software, hardware, telecommunications, IT services, and maintenance.

Leeds City Council, one of the region's largest employers with over 14,000 staff members, is dedicated to attracting and nurturing talented individuals who align with our ambitions - Best City Ambition.

About You

In the role of Strategic Sourcing Officer, you will contribute:

• Support to the IDS Strategic Sourcing team in delivering procurement and sourcing projects effectively and efficiently.
• Guidance on the Council's internal Contract Procedure Rules and external procurement regulations.
• Effective handling of inquiries from colleagues within the Integrated Digital Service, the broader Council, and external entities.
• A commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• Assistance in providing details regarding IDS contracts in response to Freedom of Information requests.

About the Role

The successful candidate will gain insights into procurement processes, rules, and policies utilized within the Council and the Public Sector, while developing the organizational skills and commercial awareness necessary to manage projects effectively.

This position offers the chance to enhance communication and relationship management skills through regular interactions and meetings with internal staff and external organizations, along with valuable experience in project and time management essential for conducting procurement exercises and managing multiple projects and priorities.

The role necessitates familiarity with various Council systems and applications, including Yortender, FMS, Sharepoint, Word, and Excel, with training provided through on-the-job experiences or formal sessions.

This position is vital to our IDS Strategic Sourcing team.

What We Offer You

We take pride in providing an exceptional employee experience, with benefits that include:

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement, plus statutory holidays.
• Membership in the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements, subject to service requirements.
• A clear career pathway and opportunities for continuing professional development.
• A variety of staff benefits to enhance your wellbeing and financial wellbeing.

How to Apply

Please complete the online application form.

Review our guidance for further advice. Ensure that you check your information carefully and complete all sections before submitting your application.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be conducted on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and seek a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer, and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme, or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose

This is a diverse role where you will acquire experience in various commercial and procurement skills. Initially, you will assist with the daily operations of the team, and as your experience develops, you will be expected, with appropriate support, to take ownership of specific projects and activities.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with prior office or administrative experience who seeks to enhance existing skills and gain new transferable skills. Your daily activities will involve supporting members of a small strategic sourcing team on various IT-related projects and procurements.

The successful candidate will learn about procurement processes, rules, and policies utilized within the Council and the Public Sector while developing the organizational skills and commercial awareness necessary to take ownership of projects.

This role provides the opportunity to build communication and relationship management skills through regular interactions and meetings with internal staff and external organizations. The successful candidate will also gain valuable experience and skills in project and time management, essential for conducting procurement exercises and managing multiple projects and priorities.

The role requires the use of various Council systems and applications, including Yortender, FMS, Sharepoint, Word, and Excel, with training provided through on-the-job experiences or formal training sessions.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate as part of the IDS Strategic Sourcing team, assisting in the effective and efficient delivery of procurement and sourcing projects.
• Provide guidance on the Council's internal Contract Procedure Rules and general external procurement regulations.
• Address inquiries from colleagues within the Digital and Information Service, the broader Council, and external organizations.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Support the provision of details on IDS contracts in relation to Freedom of Information and similar requests.
• Assist in the:
  • Production of Invitation to Tender and other procurement documentation.
  • Creation of evaluation criteria for straightforward procurements.
  • Evaluation of tenders and other supplier proposals.
  • Routine communication between the Council, other stakeholders, and suppliers.
  • Provision of contract management support to Contract Managers.
  • Offer specialist advice on the procurement of all ICT goods and services, with support.
• Undertake all other duties commensurate with the post.

The duties outlined are not exhaustive and will also comprise any other responsibilities within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this position.

Essential Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Only those who meet all essential requirements will be shortlisted for an interview.

Role Specification Essential Requirements

Personal Effectiveness

• Excellent organizational, numerical, literacy, and analytical skills.
• Experience working effectively on your initiative with minimal supervision.
• Experience in setting and adhering to quality standards.
• Experience prioritizing and organizing work while maintaining flexibility to manage conflicting demands, an unpredictable workload, and strict deadlines.
• Awareness of requirements for handling and maintaining confidential information.
• Experience supporting various meeting and workshop types, including effective minute/record keeping.
• Ability to communicate key issues effectively and appropriately, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences.
• Ability to identify different options and articulate the strengths and weaknesses of each.
• Commitment to self-development.

Communication

• Experience using a range of IT software, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Experience preparing and presenting information concisely and clearly.
• Experience drafting and proofreading documents with a high standard of written English.

Working with Others

• Experience collaborating with colleagues and providing support to projects.
• Experience exercising judgment in addressing internal and external inquiries.
• Willingness to cooperate and work as a team with other staff members to deliver a flexible and responsive service.
• Ability to resolve or escalate issues related to projects, procurements, or supplier management.

Policies and Processes

• Ability to ensure compliance with policy/strategy and the effective and efficient operation of associated strategic sourcing processes.

Role Specification Desirable Requirements

Project Management

• Awareness of project and program management techniques, reporting, risk management, and benefits realization.

Requirements Analysis

• Ability to interpret and represent business or technical requirements.

Strategic ICT Commissioning

• Knowledge of the ICT commissioning lifecycle.

Essential Behavioral and Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviors and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth, and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties with regard to an employee's responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support differences and ensure equality for all while working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding the equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognize and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimization, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol, and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.