Job title: Strategic Sourcing Officer
Salary: £32,076.00 – £33,945.00
Hours: 37
Contract: Secondment/Fixed Term – 12 months
Location: Civic/Apex/Hybrid
Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.
As a Strategic Sourcing Officer, you’ll thrive on developing existing skills and picking up new transferable skills along the way. Initially day to day activities in this evolving role will involve supporting members of a small strategic sourcing team on a variety of IT related projects and procurements covering software, hardware, telecommunications, IT Services and IT maintenance.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our and ambitions - Best City Ambition.
About you
As a Strategic Sourcing Officer you will bring to the role:
1. As part of the IDS Strategic Sourcing team, assistance in the effective and efficient delivery of procurement and sourcing projects.
2. With support, provide guidance on the Council’s (internal) Contract Procedure Rules and general (external) procurement rules and regulations.
3. Dealing effectively with all types of enquiries from colleagues within the Integrated Digital Service, the wider Council and external organisations.
4. A high level of confidentiality.
5. Support of the provision of detail on IDS contracts in relation to Freedom of Information and similar requests.
About the role
The successful candidate will learn about procurement processes, rules and policies used within the Council and across the Public Sector while developing the organisational skills and commercial awareness required to take ownership of projects.
The role will provide the opportunity to build communication and relationship management skills through regular interaction and meetings with internal staff across the Council and external organisations and gain valuable experience and skills in project and time management which will be required to successfully conduct procurement exercises and to manage multiple projects and priorities.
The role requires the use of a number of Council systems and applications including Yortender, FMS, Sharepoint, Word and Excel for which training will be provided either on the job or through formal training sessions.
The role is integral to our IDS Strategic Sourcing team.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
6. a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
7. membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
8. flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
9. a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
10. a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy .
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job purpose
This is a varied role in which you will gain experience in a range of commercial and procurement skills. Initially you will assist with the day to day activities of the team and as your experience grows you will be expected, with appropriate support, to take ownership of specific projects and activities.
This is a great opportunity for someone with prior office or administration experience who is looking to develop existing skills and pick up new transferable skills along the way. Initially day to day activities in this evolving role will involve supporting members of a small strategic sourcing team on a variety of IT related projects and procurements covering software, hardware, telecommunications, IT Services and IT maintenance.
The successful candidate will learn about procurement processes, rules and policies used within the Council and across the Public Sector while developing the organisational skills and commercial awareness required to take ownership of projects.
The role will provide the opportunity to build communication and relationship management skills through regular interaction and meetings with internal staff across the Council and external organisations. The successful candidate will also gain valuable experience and skills in project and time management which will be required to successfully conduct procurement exercises and to manage multiple projects and priorities.
The role requires the use of a number of Council systems and applications including Yortender, FMS, Sharepoint, Word and Excel for which training will be provided either on the job or through formal training sessions.
Responsibilities
11. To work as part of the IDS Strategic Sourcing team, assisting in the effective and efficient delivery of procurement and sourcing projects.
12. With support, provide guidance on the Council’s (internal) Contract Procedure Rules and general (external) procurement rules and regulations.
13. Deal effectively with all types of enquiries from colleagues within the Digital and Information Service, the wider Council and external organisations.
14. Maintain a high level of confidentiality.
15. Support the provision of detail on IDS contracts in relation to Freedom of Information and similar requests.
16. Assists in the:
17. Production of Invitation to Tender and other procurement documentation.
18. Creation of evaluation criteria for simple procurements.
19. Evaluation of tenders and other supplier proposals
20. Routine communication between the Council, other stakeholders and suppliers
21. Provision of contract management support to Contract Managers
22. With support, provide specialist advice on the procurement of all ICT goods and services.
23. All other duties considered commensurate with the post.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
Role Specification Essential Requirements
Personal Effectiveness
24. Excellent organisational, numerical, literacy and analytical skills.
25. Experience of working effectively on own initiative and with minimum supervision.
26. Experience of setting and working within quality standards.
27. Experience of prioritising and organising work whilst maintaining flexibility to deal with conflicting demands, an unpredictable workload and strict deadlines.
28. Awareness of requirements in dealing with and maintaining confidential information.
29. Experience of positively supporting a range of meeting and workshop types including effective minute / record keeping.
30. Ability to communicate key issues effectively and appropriately, verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences.
31. Ability to identify different options and articulate strengths and weaknesses of each.
32. Commitment to self-development.
Communication
Experience of using a range of IT software, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
Experience of preparing and presenting information concisely and clearly.
Experience of drafting and proof reading documents using a high standard of written English.
Working with others
33. Experience of working with colleagues and providing support to projects.
34. Experience of exercising judgement in dealing with internal and external enquiries.
35. Willingness to cooperate and work as a team with other staff members to provide a flexible and responsive service.
36. Ability to resolve or escalates problems, for example in relation to projects, procurements or supplier management.
Policies and Processes
37. Ability to ensure compliance with the policy/strategy and effective and efficient operation of the associated strategic sourcing processes.
Role Specification Desirable Requirements
Project Management
38. a) Awareness of project and programme management techniques, reporting, risk management and benefits realisation
Requirements Analysis
39. Ability to interpret and represent business or technical requirements
Strategic ICT Commissioning
40. Knowledge of the ICT commissioning lifecycle.
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
41. Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
42. Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
43. Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
44. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
45. Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
46. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
47. Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
48. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
49. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
50. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
51. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
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