Procurement and Contracts Manager

A fantastic opportunity to join Merseyside Police leading the procurement team
* Leading a team of 9 through strategy implementation and delivery
About Our Client
Merseyside Police is a dynamic, challenging and rewarding place to work: we take pride in everything we do.
The best performing urban Force as graded by HMICFRS to date, our strategy is to simply put the communities of Merseyside first. We have a strong focus on continuous improvement in the areas we are passionate about: ending Violence Against Women and Girls; tackling Serious Organised Crime and County Lines; strengthening our approach to Diversity and Inclusion; building trust and confidence through Community Engagement.
We're a friendly employer who provides itself in staff investment and wellbeing. Our rewards package includes everything you would expect from any large, forward-thinking employer, such as salary, annual leave, family friendly policies, and local government pension scheme. Working for Merseyside Police though, you'll also get the privilege of additional benefits that are unique to our organisation in the form of access to many discount schemes and networks.
Job Description
Leading the procurement team, the Procurement and Contracts Manager will be responsible, as a member of the Finance & Procurement Department Senior Leadership Team, for the management of the Force Procurement Function. Providing advice, as the most senior qualified procurement professional, to the Head of Finance & Procurement, Director of Resources and wider Force and be instrumental in developing and implementing Force procurement strategies and associated procedures and initiatives; in-line with the direction provided by the Head of Finance & Procurement.
Key accountabilities include:
* Lead a team including part and fully qualified procurement professionals, ensuring they are suitably managed and offered guidance and support to undertake their duties, including ensuring staff are trained and maintain skills where necessary to undertake their role.
* Develop, implement, and review the Force Procurement Strategy, ensuring the Strategy is consistent with and complements broader Force and Finance Strategy. Report on progress, key developments, and proposed changes to the Strategy to the Head of Finance and Procurement and Chief Officers.
* Provide the Head of Finance and Procurement and Chief Officers with periodic updates on key commercial and strategic matters including detailed spend analysis; forthcoming procurement activity; and the relationship with BlueLight Commercial thus ensuring value for money and enabling the reputation of the force to be protected.
* Develop and review all procurement processes to ensure maximum efficiencies are generated via new and emerging technology. In conjunction with the PCC Chief Finance Officer; develop and periodically review all procurement documentation including adherence to the relevant public procurement regulations and Force Financial Regulations and Standing Orders.
* Monitor procedures undertaken by the Procurement Section, and the Force under devolved responsibilities, to ensure compliance with PCC Financial Regulations and Standing Orders, and any other pertinent associated statutory requirements including UK Procurement Directives. i) Manage Force procurement contracts to ensure compliance with agreements with an objective of maintaining continuous improvement whilst ensuring sensitivity to changing needs and achieving value for money.
The Successful Applicant
The successful candidate must be able to desmontrate the following experience:
* CIPS qualified and significant post equivalent work experience in procurement in order to lead the Procurement Section and provide professional procurement advice to the Head of Finance & Procurement and Chief Officers.
* Significant demonstrable experience of managing a procurement team of a large and complex organisation, and be capable of ensuring the team are developed and motivated to achieve optimum results for the Force.
* Demonstrable experience of leading on high level / complex procurement projects of significant value and have significant demonstrable commercial and financial acumen and experience and be capable of presenting this and associated information in a concise and professional manner.
* Possess a thorough understanding of commercial practices, including manufacturing processes, costing methods, and logistics in order to inform their overall management of the Force Procurement department, and the Force procurement strategy.
* Excellent communication skills and be capable of developing strong relationships with senior officers and other key stakeholders whilst also instilling confidence about the professionalism of the procurement department.
* Strong leadership and interpersonal skills in order to act as the senior negotiator for the Force and be able to communicate effectively with contractors and tenderers, police officers, police staff and representatives of trade unions and staff associations.
What's on Offer
* Basic salary - £61,844 to £68,607 depending on experience
* Other benefits: 25 days leave (plus public holidays) rising to 30 days after five years service, pension, on site gym, café, and car parking.
* Hybrid working: work from home two days a week (after initial period).
* Flexitime: possible to earn up to two days of additional leave per month
Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.
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