Job Description:

  
Overview
  
STAR Procurement is the collaborative procurement service for Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, and Trafford Councils. We sit strategically alongside our Partners and support them in the delivery of an excellent procurement service.
  
Main Priorities

• Supporting delivery and improvement in public service reform and growth.
• Supporting STAR Procurement team to deliver best practice procurement that provides added “procurement worth.”
• Working in a supported learning environment to develop the skills and knowledge that will assist you to complete the Level 4-6 qualifications, undertaking a range of duties to contribute to the achievement of team objectives.
• Undertaking a development programme (on-site and off-site), including participation in required training and learning leading to the CIPS qualifications Level 4-6.

Key Duties
Band 4

• Learning about Public Sector procurement and ensuring procurement projects are completed according to established processes, policies and the associated legislation.
• Supporting the delivery of procurement projects, including preparation of tender documents, managing projects through our e-tendering platform, arranging events with suppliers and co-ordinating the evaluation process for the tender panel.
• Gathering and analysing information; for example, responding to enquiries from the public or elected Council Members or gathering cost information to facilitate benchmarking on price to contribute to the development of a procurement strategy.
• Supporting procurement and other colleagues throughout the reporting process (e.g. Strategy reports, award reports, etc.), including report drafting, co-ordinating the dispatch of reports to Board members and guidance around the process.
• Supporting with audits that need to be carried out on procurement activity.
• Supporting improvements to the procurement way of working, including recording, and following up on actions.

Band 5 (in addition to the above

• Working with the Category Managers to help them to deliver consistent procurement services to partner authorities in line with the STAR Core Offer.
• Providing effective supplier relationship management with a variety of stakeholders.
• Supporting effective procurement by providing support at every stage of the procurement cycle, including, but not limited to; market engagement, creating tender and specification/KPI documentation, developing evaluation criteria, assessing tender returns, organising presentations and events, providing feedback, awarding and formalising contracts based on best value.
• Assisting in the maintenance of the contracts register, ensuring timely and accurate updates.
• Supporting the delivery of savings, social value, local spend and compliance, wherever possible through procurement activity.

Band 6 (in addition to the above)

• Assisting the Category Managers in providing effective, efficient and economic procurement solutions to obtain value for money from all externally purchased goods, works and services.
• Managing and leading on a portfolio of small value procurement projects, including supporting on options appraisals, tendering and contractual arrangements within agreed deadlines and performance indicators.
• Providing professional advice, guidance and support on small value procurement to enable services to successfully procure goods and services, including providing robust challenge on spend and specifications to ensure value for money.
• Assisting in developing and maintaining relationships other authorities and other relevant bodies to enable collaborative working and sharing of best practice.
• Providing excellent customer service by liaising and communicating with client directorates, suppliers and contractors, and other organisations, both verbally and in writing as required in a responsive manner.

  
Band 7 (in addition to the above)
  

• Working with the Category Managers and helping them to deliver procurement services to partner authorities, including managing and leading on a number of specific projects to deliver value for money and supporting on options appraisals, tendering and contractual arrangements within agreed deadlines and performance indicators.
• Co-ordinating contract and supplier management of the market including maintaining a database of contracts and supplier information.
• Undertaking tender processes in accordance with Contract Procedure Rules (CPR’s), Strategic Procurement Strategy European regulations for the partner authorities and that they are carried out in a legal, ethical, accountable manner in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Assisting in developing and maintaining contact with other Authorities within the Greater Manchester and North West region and other relevant bodies to enable collaborative working and sharing of best practice.
• Inviting and assessing tender submissions and negotiating the award of contracts for the Council(s) on the basis of best value.
• Liaising and communicating with client directorates, suppliers and contractors, and other organisations, both verbally and in writing as required.
• Taking an active part in the continuous review, development and improvement of systems, processes and services in support of STAR’s commitment to a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach to procurement.
• Co-ordinating and supervising the completion of work delegated to Procurement Assistants and temporary workers.
• Carrying out such other duties within the Department as required which are commensurate with the grading of the post.