SENIOR CATEGORY SPECIALIST

Ardal is a procurement collaboration across four Local Authorities serving the people and communities of Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan. Annual spend on goods, services and works across the four authorities is over £1 billion per annum. Ardal's procurement team is broken down into 5 operational teams being: Professional Services & ICT, Corporate & Transport, Social Care & Community Services, Building & Estates along with Highways, Waste & Parks. As a result of strengthening our Category Teams, we have an exciting opportunity to join our award-winning team hosted by Cardiff Council as a Senior Category Specialist. The Team supports the procurement and sourcing function for various categories of spend; the Team also manages a variety of national collaborative frameworks including South East Wales Technical & Professional Services, South East & Mid Wales Collaborative Civil Engineering and Highways Construction Framework and others. The team cover a diverse area of services and welcome applications from individuals who may have experience in procuring these types of goods, services, and works, or have experience and knowledge of these industries although not essential. We are looking to appoint self-motivated individuals who might have procurement experience gained primarily from the public sector although this is not essential. This experience could be across a broad range of spend categories, or is looking to develop a career within public sector procurement. About the job We are looking to appoint self-motivated individuals who have procurement experience gained primarily from the public sector although this is not essential. This experience could be across a broad range of spend categories, or is looking to develop a career within public sector procurement. You will be given the necessary management, training and team support, flexible working, peer review and skill sharing to enable you to successfully undertake your role and develop professionally. What We Are Looking For From You The role will be for enthusiastic individuals who have excellent communication skills and can demonstrate the requirements and experience detailed in the Person Specification. The main responsibilities and requirements of the role are but not limited to: Ensuring the completeness, accuracy and timeliness of tender and contract documentation within assigned categories. Ensuring contract and supplier management, commensurate with value and risk, are in place across the category group to agreed and defined standards. Ensuring specifications and contracts are in place which deliver the Council’s strategic objectives and which support Directorates service delivery. Supporting the development of category plans and sourcing strategies and the delivery of associated change management initiatives. Ensure co-ordination of activity and knowledge sharing across categories. Engage and build relationships with Directorate managers, collaborating in strategic reviews of individual categories, building trust and confidence in the procurement function and the category management approach. Develop and promote innovation and continuous improvement. Develop an understanding of business requirements and market intelligence for the assigned categories. Design and deliver training as required, on any new or existing procurement processes in order to enable them to become intelligent buyers/customers. Lead on cross-category knowledge sharing initiatives both internally and with other public sector organisations in order to establish best practice within Cardiff Council and develop the Procurement function for the future. Working for the Ardal Team will act as a catalyst for continual professional development for the right individuals and will offer exposure to several varied and innovative procurements with the necessary level of support. As we look to procure goods, services and works that meet the expectations of our citizens whilst addressing the climate emergency and the requirement to deliver a balanced budget. A hybrid working environment with an ability and freedom to work on an agile basis both in the office at County Hall in Cardiff Bay and at home. Additional information As the largest employer in Wales, Cardiff Council offers a generous and progressive package of benefits. For full details, please visit: www.jobscardiffcouncil.co.uk/why-work-for-us/?lang=en_GB. There are 2 permanent positions and 1 temporary position offered; the temporary position is offered until 30/08/2026 initially. We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications. This vacancy is suitable for post share. We understand you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, original and does not include ideas or work that is not your own. Please note the Council does not accept CV’s. When completing the supporting information section of your application, please ensure you refer to the below located on our website: Application Guidance Applying for jobs with us Behavioural Competency Framework Recruitment Pack Employee Charter Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Privacy Notice Job Category Commissioning and Procurement Department Resources Working Pattern/Contract Type Full Time Permanent #J-18808-Ljbffr