Corporate Procurement Officer

**Salary** - Up to £47, 754
- £36,124 to £41,511 per annum plus a £6,000 Market Supplement Payment

**Hours** - 37 hours - office base, on-site, hybrid working

**The role**

**Qualifications**

CIPS Level 2, 3 or 4 or equivalent qualification and/or equivalent experience

**Duties and responsibilities**
- Establish and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure compliance with local government regulations and best practices.
- Provide training and support to council staff on procurement policies, procedures, and systems. Offer guidance on best practices and compliance requirements.
- Ensure all procurement activities comply with relevant legislation (in particular the Procurement Act 2023), policies, and procedures.
- Monitor, review and report on procurement performance and tendering arrangements. To ensure that the Council can demonstrate best value in its procurement activities and that procurement practice within the Council’s Service Areas and Directorates are consistent with the Council’s Procurement Strategy.
- As necessary oversee the tendering process, including preparing tender documents, evaluating bids, and awarding contracts. Ensure all contracts are managed effectively and comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Identify and manage risks associated with procurement activities.
- Manage relationships with suppliers, including negotiating and renegotiating contracts at the appropriate time, monitor performance, and ensure the delivery of goods and services meets the required standards.
- Maintain Council’s Contract Register and associated data.
- Identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements in procurement processes. Ensure that procurement activities deliver value for money, and as necessary establish and rationalise key supplier buying arrangements.
- Use emerging IT and technology to increase the benefits of procurement policies for the Council
- Lead on the development and implementation of the Procurement Strategy, including sustainability objectives that enhance the Council’s purchasing power.
- Oversee the vendor selection process, ensuring that suppliers meet performance standards and business continuity needs.
- Provide strategic oversight and expertise in procurement planning, approval, and control procedures, ensuring that all procurement activities align with the Council’s corporate objectives.

**Person Specification**
- Experience in contract management in a Public Sector environment
- Experience of interpreting legislation, policy and guidance to contribute to the formulation of local policies and procedures that comply with national requirements.
- Knowledge of the latest Procurement Regulations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce and present reports and advice in a clear and professional manner to a wide range of audiences including non-financial users.
- Ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines in an environment of conflicting priorities.
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team with a flexible approach to work.
- High degree of tact and diplomacy with the ability to work in a politically sensitive environment.
- A commitment to developing and maintaining high levels of customer care
- Must be prepared to work flexibly to meet deadlines throughout the year and may occasionally be required to attend evening meetings.
- Ability and willingness to demonstrate the council’s values and behaviours

**Benefits**
- Flexible working
- Family friendly policies
- On-site free parking
- Up to 31 days' annual leave (plus Bank Holidays)
- Option to purchase additional leave
- Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme
- Savings and loan scheme
- Discounted gym membership
- Generous pension scheme
- Additional voluntary contribution to AVC
- Staff reward scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee forums (Your Voice, Health & Wellbeing)

**General Statement**

The information contained in this job description is provided to assist employees joining the council to understand and appreciate the work content of their post and the role they will play in the organisation. However, the following point should be noted:

- Whilst every endeavour has been made to outline all the duties and responsibilities of the post, a document such as this does not permit every item to be specified in detail. Broad headings, therefore, may have been used, in which case all the usual associated routines are naturally included in the job description.

**How to apply**

Rossendale Borough Council, People & Policy, The Business Centre, Futures Park, Bacup, Lancashire, OL13 0BB

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you will need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans