Responsibilities

Our new Commissioning and Procurement Hub ensures collaboration with our clients to develop and execute a procurement strategy to achieve their defined success criteria. We bring together experiences and lessons learned to ensure the most effective approach. Our new Commissioning and Procurement Hub supports all stages of the commercial lifecycle, complementing client teams to maximise value.

Salary: Up to £85,000 per annum.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

About the role

As the Head of Strategic Procurement, you will be responsible for developing and leading the council’s strategic procurement service. Managing a team of up to fifteen staff, including three direct reports, and provide specialist professional advice within a local authority environment. Your role will involve ensuring the effective use of the council’s third-party expenditure, achieving savings, and delivering value for money.

Some of the key responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement procurement strategies, policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Negotiate contracts and agreements with suppliers and vendors to achieve cost savings and improve quality.
• Manage supplier relationships, monitor vendor performance, and resolve issues as needed.
• Lead and support the procurement team, providing guidance and training to ensure efficient and compliant processes.
• Monitor market trends to identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
• Provide advice and support to executive directors, service directors, and senior management teams within the council.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

You will be a dynamic and driven individual joining the service at a critical and exciting period of change. The successful candidate will be a strong solutions-based thinker, commercially minded and a strategic change-leader that can inform in a meaningful way. Providing specialist professional advice within a local authority environment.

• Significant experience in managing a service or professional expertise area in a large public sector organisation, preferably local government.
• Expert knowledge of procurement best practices and public procurement regulations.
• Proven leadership ability with experience in developing a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical abilities and a deep understanding of the commercial and contractual elements of commissioning goods, works, and services.
• Provide high-quality procurement advice and support Buckinghamshire infrastructure clients on their flagship projects.
• Lead and/or support in sector leading projects and programmes as the strategic procurement subject matter expert.
• As we look to expand our service offering and drive continuous improvement, you will have an opportunity to contribute and shape our future.
• Collaborate with Buckinghamshire colleagues to deliver quality outcomes for our clients, providing high value multi-discipline solutions.
• Challenge yourself in a market leading business, with opportunities to personally develop working alongside your colleagues.

Please refer to the job summary for further information.

Other information

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Person Specification

Essential:

Please see the job description for a full list of essential and desirable skills required for the role.

Desirable:

Please see the job description for a full list of essential and desirable skills required for the role.