Procurement Business Partner
Lead and take management responsibility for delivering a proactive and flexible approach to procurement that is able to respond to the needs of the council to deliver Vision 2030 whilst achieving value for money The post will be responsible for developing and delivering Procurement Plans for all council (excluding social care and public health) spend based on intelligence and the needs of services, ensuring that:
- Appropriate contracts are procured in a timely manner to achieve value for money for the council;
- Procurement activity is compliant with the council’s Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Regulations;
- The whole procurement process is managed within their team, from identifying need to establishing appropriate ordering and payment processes (e.g. catalogues, embedded procurement cards, etc.) with the aim to streamline processes where possible; and Corporate contracts are managed to ensure council compliance, contract performance and that value for money is obtained.
- Foster positive working relationships with services and external bodies to inform procurement activity and
provide advice and guidance. - Play a proactive role in forward planning for the service, identifying opportunities for service improvement
and leading implementation of change.
Core Responsibilities
- Take ownership of management responsibilities within Procurement Services and deliver the objectives and
priorities of the council through engagement, consultation and negotiation with all stakeholders, using highly
developed skills of persuasion - Maintain and develop professional knowledge, skills and experience to further engage service delivery and
support colleagues both within Procurement Services and council wide - Have a detailed understanding of relevant legislation and underlying concepts and principles of the specialist
area - Develop and maintain positive working relationships with, and a practical knowledge of, client services,
partners and suppliers to inform activity - Develop and produce policies and strategies relating to Procurement Services and ensure that decisions are
evidenced and supported by sound technical principles - Adopt a collaborative, supportive, challenging and, where appropriate, hands on approach in providing advice,
support and guidance on both established internal policy and external regulations or legislation to elected
Members, colleagues across the council and to partner organisations - Produce and present accurate detailed and complex reports, articles and briefings, both verbally and in writing,
on matters relating to the services within Procurement - Design and deliver potentially contentious communications to a range of audiences in support of all
Procurement Services activities - Adopt a flexible working style to manage across a broad range of areas and projects within Procurement
Services as required. Working in collaboration with other team members and contributing to activities that may
include, but are not limited to:
• Procurement
• Intelligence
• Payments and Compliance - Support the Service Manager – Procurement to develop, implement and monitor the council’s Corporate
Procurement Strategy and associated policies to deliver Sandwell’s Vision 2030. - Maintain oversight of procurement activity corporately and within designated client services and ensure
compliance with legislation and council’s procurement policies and processes - Devise and implement creative solutions to a wide range of challenges
- Work within broad functional policies and objectives
- Identify opportunities for service improvement within the Procurement Services, and plan and co-ordinate
transformation of the team to implement improvement, ensuring that both strategies and services are fit for
purpose and are future proofed (as much as possible) against changing circumstances. - Support the Service Manager – Procurement with annual planning for Procurement Services and the
Resources Directorate to achieve objectives and service improvement - Support the Service Manager – Procurement in the motivational leadership of teams ensuring clarity of
direction, effective communication and the development of employee’s full potential, in accordance with the
Sandwell SMBC Behaviour Framework - Hold regular performance management meetings with individuals to review performance and delivery of
objectives within agreed timescales. Be proactive in implementing effective remedial actions ensure all
objectives are delivered on time and within budget. - To oversee the management of budgets delegated to the post to deliver agreed outcomes and performance
targets on time and within budget, in accordance with the council’s Financial Regulations and Procurement and
Contracts Procedures Rules - Act as deputy to the Service Manager – Procurement or represent the other areas of the service as necessary
- Participate in the operation of the council’s Appraisal Scheme
- Carry out these duties in line with the council’s policy on equality and be sensitive and caring to the needs of
the disadvantaged, promoting a positive approach to a harmonious working environment. Act as an exemplar
on these issues and should identify and monitor training for the post holder and any employees for whom the
post is responsible, in line with this policy and also the Equalities Act 2010. - Undertake such other duties as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the post to assist the council in
the fulfilment of its objectives commensurate with the post holder’s salary, grade, abilities and aptitudes - The post holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to the council’s policy,
organisation and arrangements for Health and Safety at Work.