Transport Contract Officer

As a Travel Assistance Service (TAS) Transport Contracts Officer, you will be expected to contribute proactively in reviewing the passenger transport procurement, procedures and practices and be flexible when areas of pressure are identified in the service, including covering other posts during absence/leave to ensure the effective provision of the essential functions of the service.

In this role you will assist in monitoring the provision of passenger transport services and provide all necessary information to enable the control of the use of resources. You will undertake training enabling the development of a multi-skilled team ensuring staff absences have no impact of the quality of the service delivery, and obtain, collate and evaluate information to aid decision-making and advise managers, colleagues and client organisations.

The role will require you to contribute to the development and review of the business plan and training plan and solve problems where appropriate, responding effectively to enquiries and complaints from client organisations, service users, the general public and other agencies in accordance with Council standards, escalating where appropriate.

You will also liaise with client service areas, partners, other organisations and services as required and help ensure all financial, legal and regulatory requirements are met. It will be the post-holder’s responsibility to carry out their 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. The post-holder should act as an exemplar on these issues and should identify and monitor training for themselves and any employees for whom they may be responsible, in line with this policy, the Equality Standard and obligations under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Such other duties as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the post to assist the Thematic Area 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 their responsibilities with due regard to the Council's policy, organisation and arrangements for Health and Safety at Work.

For an informal discussion, please contact Jo Hodgetts at Jo_hodgetts@sandwell.gov.uk.

Overview of the role:

• To organise and procure passenger transport as required by the Council.
• To provide an administrative function in relation to passenger transport and the service area as a whole.
• To be responsible for all aspects of the allocated Transport Contracts including administration and the development of good working relationships with all stakeholders.

You will be required to:

• Assist senior officers to provide and develop safe, efficient, and cost-effective passenger transport services
• Be responsible for managing effective systems to control a given case load of Transport Contracts to include:
• Have responsibility for the tender of contracts process and making decisions regarding awarding tenders based on best value.
• Follow procedures to ensure the best value and most cost-effective method of transport is procured.
• Develop relationships with service users, parents/carers, schools, other establishments, and suppliers by telephone, email, written correspondence and face-to-face.
• Undertake regular site visits to monitor effectiveness and develop improvements of the current Transport Contract.
• Maintain auditable records to ensure queries and challenges can be responded to effectively.
• Ensure effective communication so that all relevant managers and officers are aware of relevant information to enable those persons to make decisions.
• Prepare documents for internal and external agencies to procure the transport as requested by client service areas, utilising the Council’s procurement system and awarding cost effective contracts
• Plan, route, and map transport routes using internet-based resources
• Check, authorise and pay invoices for the authority’s Transport Contracts for internal and external partners, raising invoices for external providers on SBS and process internal ledger transfers.

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.