Senior Procurement and Contracts Officer

Senior Procurement and Contracts Officer

Job description

Main Purpose

- Subject to the general management and guidance of the Procurement and Commercial Services Manager and Procurement and Contracts Manager, to provide a framework for procurement activity including contract management by the Council and in particular directorate commissioners;
- assist with the delivery of training and provide guidance and advice to directorate commissioners in its use; to monitor such use, ensuring that all legal and Council requirements are complied with, including in relation to transparency;







to support the development of the Council’s long term procurement and contract management strategy for consideration by the Commissioning and Procurement Board and to support the implementation of that strategy.

Undertake any other duties within the scope of the post as directed by the Procurement and Contract Manager and the Procurement and Commercial Services Manager and to work flexibly within the Procurement team, offering support to other members of the team within their work areas as required.

To undertake such other duties commensurate with the grade as may be required from time to time.

Responsibilities

To assist the Procurement and Contracts Manager with supporting Directorates procurement and contract management activity through the current decentralized model.

To this end, to manage and assist with the on-going maintenance of the integrated on line procurement system and procedures for use by client directorates across the Council.

To keep that system up to date and fit for purpose at all times to enable compliance with EU, UK, local regulation and Council regulation and achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

- To provide written guidance,





comprehensive training and provide advice to Directorate commissioners in all matters pertaining to procurement practice including the law, advise on the use of the integrated on line system, support options appraisals, tendering strategy and the development of selection and evaluation criteria with direction and guidance from the Procurement and Contracts Manager as appropriate.
- To support the review of tender documentation prior to publication to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and Council regulations.
- To monitor the procurement practice of Directorates by examination of their use of the integrated on line system to ensure that the Council’s procurement practice and contract management is at all times compliant with relevant legislation and Council regulations and to take action to redress if necessary.
- Comply with all reporting arrangements required by transparency provisions in EU, UK or local regulation in relation to procurement activity and decisions.

To also compile procurement and contract data as required.

- To take all necessary and appropriate steps to implement the Council’s procurement and contract management strategy.
- To support the day to day management of the procurement and contract management administrative function to ensure that supplier contacts, contracts, paper and on line records are maintained and kept up to date.
- To keep abreast of new initiatives, legislation and research in connection with procurement and contract management and to disseminate across the Council as appropriate.
- To ensure that the Council’s procurement and contract management strategy and policy documents fully support the wider economic, social and equality objectives of the Council.
- To support the delivery of value for money contracts ensuring efficiency gains for the Council.

Knowledge

- Extensive knowledge of procurement law as it affects local authorities
- In depth Knowledge of the best value framework
- Comprehensive knowledge of the practical implications of the current legislative framework relating to local authority procurement and contract management
- Knowledge of the principles of administrative law affecting local authorities
- Knowledge of project management methodology and processes