Key activitiesDelivery● Providing professional commissioning and procurement project support to commissioning leads across the Co.....
Key activities
Delivery
● Providing professional commissioning and procurement project support to commissioning leads across the Council
● Carrying out tenders and requests for quotations to achieve Best Value and contribute to cost savings including:
- Establishing project teams when appropriate for the purpose.
- Influencing preparation of specifications.
- Undertaking and co-ordinating evaluation of submissions.
- Carry out financial checks and investigate references for potential suppliers.
- Communicating with potential suppliers regarding clarifications and results.
- Maintaining procurement issue and risks logs and any other documentation required in the delivery of the procurement activities
● Managing projects on the e-tendering portal and preparing tender documentation
● Understanding market research for potential requirements analysing data and producing summaries to drive a focus on the most efficient and effective use of resources to inform commissioning plans.
● Supporting the procurement governance/gateway process to ensure timely and informed commercial decisions
● Maintaining the Council’s commercial pipeline focusing on establishing proactive stakeholder involvement and timely discussions regarding possible renewal requirement.
● Ensuring all relevant steps in the council’s e-tendering portal are complete, and the relevant contract award notices are published within the specified timelines. All contracts are then uploaded to the contract register.
● Supporting the development of procurement guidance materials and templates
● Providing introductory training and support for the e-tendering system
● Providing procurement advice and signposting to further support
● Manage the Commissioning mailbox, ensuring stakeholder queries are responded to in a timely manner
Customers and Partners
● Developing excellent relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to maximise the understanding of commissioning and procurement to deliver positive outcomes
● Liaise with key stakeholders:
- Regarding procurement opportunities and compliance issues
- Providing professional advice relating to PCR and the Council’s contract regulations, or other related government policies and requirements
● Continuously look at how the Commissioning function can be improved including actively seeking and responding to customer feedback
● Supports Kingston’s commitment to community cohesion and valuing diversity and social inclusion
Digital/New Ways of Working
● Uses new technologies, particularly Google, to adopt modern, agile working practices, improve customer service and eliminating paper-based processes wherever possible.
General
● Work in conjunction with the Procurement Manager to establish standards of good practice with related guidance materials and performance measures with related monitoring activities.
● Work with manager and colleagues to define outcomes, set targets and monitor performance, within a culture of continual improvement
● Represent the Council in meetings, provide, present and report information to operational working groups, Commissioning Governance Boards, Market engagement or Meet the Buyer events.
Description of grade
Appointment/progression to the higher grade will recognise that a high degree of professional knowledge and expertise in commissioning and procurement is required for the role. Post holders must demonstrate significant relevant experience, and be committed to sharing their knowledge, developing others, and managing others as part of matrix teams where appropriate.
Progression from G to H
● Ability to work independently and manage more complex commissioning projects
● Uses data and trend analysis to identify opportunities for cost reduction across various spend categories
● Takes a lead role in the development of a Commissioning community across the Council
● Leads on defined programmes or projects on behalf of Contracts and Commercial
● Significantly contributes to planning and improvements of the commissioning function
Equality and Diversity
● Embeds equity, equality, fairness and diversity into all aspects of team working and service delivery
The person
In order to successfully deliver the responsibilities of the role, you will need to:
● Question and challenge ways of working, with an understanding of the bigger picture in terms of the corporate context and external environment
● Demonstrate agility and adaptability in mindset and ways of working
● Work successfully with key stakeholders within and outside of the Council
● Demonstrate commitment to own personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the role
● Demonstrate innovation and creativity
● Actively engage in positive cross organisational communications and team working
● Communicate clearly, confidently and appropriately with colleagues using the best methods of communication for the task.
Role specific skills:
● Good knowledge of commissioning and procurement best practice
● Appropriate procurement experience in a public sector environment
● Excellent knowledge of Public Contracts Regulations (PCR 2015)
● Experience of e-tendering portals
● Excellent communications and influencing skills
● Experience of formal report writing and excellent writing skills
● Experience of planning, organising and prioritising workload
● Professional qualification (or willing to work towards one)
● Ability to manage multiple projects and effectively manage own workload
At Grade H post holders must hold a relevant professional qualification (e.g. CIPS) or equivalent experience in a relevant field, and have a demonstrated ability to build relationships across the council