Brent Council - Category Manager

This is a key strategic role working in partnership with the various Directorates across the council, acting as a key strategic adviser on complex procurement matters, managing procurement projects of high value, providing expert technical information, advice and guidance on all aspects of the procurement process with a variety of complexity and/or risk to the council.

Job Purpose:
1. To help the council achieves its desired outcomes for residents, businesses and communities through the provision of excellent commercial advice. To work in partnership with the relevant Department, acting as a key strategic adviser on complex procurement matters, managing procurement projects of high value, complexity and/or risk to the council.To provide expert technical information, advice and guidance on all aspects of the procurement process to internal customers and to deal effectively with third party suppliers as external customers of Brent's
processes and service delivery partners.
2. Supporting the Category teams , by working colloboratively, coming in and leading on particular procurement projects, taking full accountability and delivery.
3. Leading on bespoke special projects which can entail developing new processes procedures and policies as designated by the Head of Procurement.

Knowledge (please specify all essential criteria):
1. Evidence of significant relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
2. Expert knowledge of public procurement processes.
3. Knowledge and understanding of e-procurement tendering portals.
4. Knowledge of the wider policy context for public procurement, e.g. the Transparency Agenda, Social Value, London Living Wage, Modern Slavery, Sustainability.
5. Knowledge of local government decision-making and service planning.
6. Broad knowledge of procurements ranging from Social Care to Construction.

Experience (please specify all essential criteria):
7. Significant experience of managing procurements in a large, complex organisation
8. Experience of managing end-to-end procurement processes in a public sector setting.
9. Experience of successfully working with a broad range of internal and external customers.
10. Experience of driving improvements to processes and performance.
11. Experience of understanding the key deliverables and providing clear advise and direction throughout the procurement project.
12. Experience of working across a number of different procurement categories of spend , dealing and overcoming the specific challenges associated within those categories.

If you are interested in this role please send your updated CV in the first instance.