MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Responsible for leading, developing and co-ordinating the strategic procurement needs and providing a comprehensive procurement service to the organisation in order to ensure the most efficient use of resources and safeguarding in line with an agreed Procurement Policy.

Work with other managers within the Digital Innovation and Procurement Department and actively participate in other cross cutting initiatives to ensure delivery of the agreed Procurement Policy to achieve the Corporate Plan.

Effectively manage, motivate, monitor and develop all procurement staff providing a support service.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Service Delivery
   • Take lead role in the development, implementation and review of the Council's Procurement Strategy and associated policies and procedures, to take account of current and emerging national and regional procurement best practice.
   • Monitor corporate spend and procurement activities to ensure all procurement activity maximises value for money and complies with UK Statute and Directives, and the Council's Financial Regulations.
   • Advise and support Council Officers carrying out procurement and contract management, to include:
     • assisting with the preparation of tender documentation
     • agreeing the tender specification and documentation
     • facilitation of the tender evaluation
   • Obtain procurement approval in line with Council procedure and manage all supplier debriefs before handover of contracts to Council officers, participating in any procurement challenges or contractual disputes.
   • Support the procurement of any strategic partnering and/or collaboration, framework agreements and develop any subsequent contract arrangements borne from such initiatives.
   • Establish internal networks to facilitate, embed and cascade procurement best practice in the organisation and also to develop appropriate networking arrangements on a regional and national basis to ensure that the Council benefits fully from current and emerging specialist procurement initiatives.

• Achieve continuous improvement of procurement by developing high level procurement skills, consultancy support and best practice across the
• Develop performance indicators for procurement and monitor performance against agreed targets and to ensure the timely production of reports and statistical information.
• Support the implementation and use of e-procurement and develop and maintain sustainable procurement strategies including keeping local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) briefed on the public procurement process through training and updates.
• Deliver business process improvement through the identification and development of opportunities where efficiency gains can be achieved through the procurement process.
• Attend SMT or OMT meetings to present reports as
• Support the achievement of best practice and value for money by attending the Local Government Officers Procurement Group.
• Collaborate in regional or shared procurement

2. Quality

• Adhere to and comply with all Council policies and procedures relevant to this role, including arrangements for risk management.
• Ensure effective controls assurance and risk management strategies are implemented within the Department and contribute to the Council's compliance with its corporate governance requirements.

3. Performance Improvement

• Ensure the Council's performance management framework is consistently implemented and provide advice, support and guidance to staff on personal development requirements, initiating further training where appropriate as well as setting annual performance improvement objectives at departmental and individual level.
• Participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of the Department Business Plan and relevant Service Plans responding to changing trends and citizen needs.
• Achieve high standards of personal performance, through meeting agreed personal targets and undertaking planned programmes of professional
• Ensure high standards of performance of staff, acknowledge good performance and tackle poor performance positively and effectively.
• Examine opportunities to gain efficiencies and improve effectiveness including collaborative partnerships, joint working and other innovative approaches to achieve best value in the use of public money.

4. Financial and Resource Management

• Ensure efficient and effective financial management by contributing to the development of and working within agreed budgets and finances to deliver service priorities and by ensuring that these budgets are effectively managed, implemented and adhered to across the department.
• Contribute to the financial viability of the Council by ensuring that the Department operates as efficiently and effectively as possible, utilising benchmarking and other value for money techniques and complying with all financial targets, the Council's standing financial instructions, standing orders, codes of conduct and accountability.
• Provide input to audit reports and ensure implementation of recommendations of these reports, ombudsman cases on a timely basis.
• Seek innovative and creative solutions to help bring about change and service
• Pursue as appropriate, additional sources of funding or other resources, which could be used to enhance those available to the Council.

5. People Management

• Provide clear leadership to staff to ensure the provision of high quality
• Ensure that management structures and practices within the department support a culture of effective team working, continuous improvement and
• Contribute to good industrial relations within the Council by ensuring effective communication and working relationships with all staff for whom he/she is responsible as well as relevant trade unions/staff organisations.

6. General Management

• Promote and ensure equality of opportunity, good relations and diversity in service delivery and employment by adhering to the Council's Equal Opportunities in Employment policies and procedures and avoiding all forms of discrimination both as an employer and a service provider.
• Carry out all functions in line with standards set out in Council's Standing
• Ensure that the Council meets its Health and Safety obligations and appropriate arrangements are developed and implemented to ensure compliance with Council's Health and Safety Policy and associated procedures and assure the safety of the workforce and service users.
• Participate as required in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to him/her in accordance with procedures laid down by the Council.
• Take such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with procedures laid down by the Council.
• Assist the Head of Service in ensuring the Council meets all statutory
• obligations and ensure that the highest standards of probity and good conduct are maintained at all times.

7. General

• Uphold the Core Values of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and work to achieve the wider organisational objectives as detailed in the Corporate
• Participate in the Council's Performance and Development Review process as detailed in the published scheme.
• Fulfil the legal Health and Safety duties placed on employees by:

• taking reasonable care of your own health & safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or do not do;
• Co-operating with the Council on Health & Safety matters;
• Ensuring that you use work items provided by the Council correctly and in accordance with the training and instruction received, including personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Ensuring that you do not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health, safety, or welfare purposes.

• Contribute to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in fulfilling all of its commitments in relation to anti-discrimination practices, its Equality Scheme and under the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998.
• Comply with all the Council's policies and
• Fulfil your legal responsibility for all records held, created or used as part of Council business whether paper based or electronic, including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004 and Data Protection Act 1998. Employees are required to be conversant with the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council procedure on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.
• Maintain high standards of personal
• Comply with the Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees and the Local Government Employee & Councillor Working Relationship Protocol.
• Perform any other duties commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the necessary experience and/or training.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA;

Have full current membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).
AND
Third level qualification

Have two years' experience in a procurement management role in a large organisationi, to include:
*Experience of drafting and implementing procurement strategies and policies to achieve outcomes for the organisation
*Experience of delivering procurement training, including the production of training guides and documentation
*Experience of managing tendering procedures, including procuring a diverse range of supplies, services and works achieving efficiencies for the organisation
*Experience of managing/supervising a team of staff
OR

Have full current membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).
If you do not possess a third level qualification, have four years' experience in a procurement management role in a large organisationii, to include:
*Experience of drafting and implementing procurement strategies and policies to achieve outcomes for the organisation
*Experience of delivering procurement training, including the production of training guides and documentation
*Experience of managing tendering procedures, including procuring a diverse range of supplies, services and works achieving efficiencies for the organisation
*Experience of managing/supervising a team of staff
Extensive knowledge and understanding of Procurement and Contract Law and the application of this within the NI Public Sector.
In depth knowledge and understanding of relevant European legislation and UK procurement regulations.

1. A full current driving licence valid in the UK and access to a car
or
2. Have access to a form of transport that enables you to carry out the duties of the post.