The Role
Post: Senior Procurement and Contracts Manager– PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Grade: FRS E
Salary range: £43,736.00 - £52,242.00 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Application closing date: Sunday 24 March 2024 at 23:59 GMT
Not all lifesavers wear uniforms. From specialist support staff to education and fire prevention, enforcing regulations to answering 999 calls, we're a diverse, welcoming community – will you join us?
London Fire Brigade is the busiest fire and rescue service in the country. What's more, we are one of the largest firefighting and rescue organisations in the world protecting people and property from 102 stations across the 1587 square kilometres of Greater London.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is in the early stages of a multi-year transformation journey. This aims of this transformation are to provide the capabilities, capacity, and resiliency to enable LFB to provide the best possible service to London and Londoners. As part of this, the Commercial and Procurement team is likewise transforming to introduce a robust end-to-end category management capability which will consist of Contract and Procurement Managers, Procurement Service Desk and Tender Compliance specialists (Phase 1) and Category Managers (Phase 2), who together will enable the efficient transition to a more digital, data-driven, and results-focused way of working. We are seeking enthusiastic, passionate, and experienced Procurement Professionals to join our team for this exciting journey!
The Senior Procurement and Contracts Manager will support the Professional Services Category team in developing and managing the sourcing strategy and contracting process on behalf of our Professional Services stakeholders. This includes the timely production of compliant public contracts sourcing plans and contract awards; ongoing supplier performance and risk management; development of market analysis and multi-year category plans in pursuit of the team’s transformation plan; use and promotion of procurement data analytics and MI; proactive and reliable stakeholder engagement; and ensuring that actions and issues are dealt with promptly and meet the function’s performance targets.
Applicants should have a good working knowledge of public contracts regulations (and be aware of the upcoming regulatory change to the new Procurement Act 2023), and will have to demonstrate an understanding of sourcing and contract award methodologies within a Professional Services category such as consultancy, recruitment services, training & development. They will also have experience of working flexibly in a team and responding effectively to changing priorities to meet deadlines or targets.
We are looking for someone with hands-on experience in this field, with strong interpersonal skills and who can communicate both verbally and in writing to a high standard. They will have experience of common procurement tools and databases (including Microsoft 365 applications and SharePoint sites).
This role is part of a team and is expected to manage time effectively and be able to deputise to the Contract and Procurement Manager as required.
Further information about the main duties and responsibilities of the role are detailed in the job description. If you are unable to see the job description please visit our jobs pages at https://jobs.london-fire.gov.uk/alljobs/ to access the full advert.
Assessment Overview
Stage 1
Online application, CV and cover letter (see instructions below). Shortlisted candidates will be invited to stage 2.
To apply, please complete the online application, provide a cover letter clearly outlining the relevant experience, skills and knowledge you have to successfully perform this role (as listed below) and upload a copy of that together with your up-to-date CV. Please note that we will review and score the cover letter based against the competencies highlighted in the selection criteria section of the job description.
Cover letter requirements:
Within your cover letter please answer the following questions:
1. Experience: provide an example of your contribution to a category plan (ie the market analysis, supplier segmentation, sourcing strategy, etc)
2. Skill: describe a recent stakeholder engagement that required interpersonal conflict management skills
3. Knowledge: describe a time that you ran a sourcing initiative using the public contracts regulation in a competitive award
Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications cannot be accepted.
Please note any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the address you provide on your application form.
Stage 2
Assessment date for this role is to be confirmed. Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.
Please note: Should you be shortlisted you will be invited to an interview at the Brigade headquarters (Union Street) or exceptionally via Microsoft Teams (a video conferencing service). You will be asked to provide relevant contact details for that to take place if shortlisted.
Please be aware that candidates invited to this stage will be asked to provide a short, written presentation which will be reviewed and scored against the competencies highlighted in the Selection Criteria section of the job description
Additional Information
We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
Benefits of working for LFB
• 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (including a closed holiday period between Christmas and New Year’s)
• Option Absence Scheme (which can result in an additional 12 days annual leave for staff at this grade)
• Hybrid working (2 days a week in the office – subject to meeting project demands)
• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Welfare Scheme
• Use of Brigade Medical Adviser/physios
• Access to the Fire Fighters Charity • Mentoring/coaching programmes
• Professional development
• Season ticket loans
• Equality Support Groups
• Cycle to work scheme
In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a Standard criminal records check. Successful candidate will be required to declare any convictions for offences and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory.
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