Job title: Procurement Support Officer (Construction and Housing)

Salary:SO2 *GBP*36,124 - *GBP*37,938

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract:Permanent

Location:Leeds

As a Procurement Support Officer, you thrive on supporting the delivery of key procurement projects, making a difference to the lives of our residents, and resulting in positive outcomes for the city.

It not just about processes, regulation, and cost-cutting. It about building trusted relationships with a wide range of colleagues across the council and with our external contractors, ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality goods, works and services for our customers.

You work within the construction and housing category, providing procurement advice, solutions and support to important construction related projects within the council and the wider city region. These are important projects that make a genuine difference.

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 council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Procurement Support Officer, you will bring to the role:

Have some understanding of public procurement law, UK and above threshold procurement legislation, the principles of contracts procedure rules and an understanding of the strategic procurement issues facing the public sector.
Have some knowledge and understanding of commercial organisations and markets, ideally within the construction & social housing sector.
Experience of effectively supporting teams to achieve objectives.
Are self-motivated, with a can doapproach, with drive, energy and resilience
Can communicate clearly and effectively, including explaining complex information verbally and in written reports and can successfully manage competing priorities and workloads,
Can respond quickly and appropriately to changing needs and demonstrating excellent organisational skills.

About the role

As a Procurement Support Officer, your main responsibility will be to support with construction related procurement activity throughout the council. The goal is to develop and deliver robust procurement activity and contracts while also being mindful of the need of reducing costs and improving efficiency.

The role is integral to our Construction & Housing Category Team which supports the delivery of strategic priorities and complex projects,procurements, and contracts for various directorates and service areas across the council. This includes working closely with colleagues in Asset Management (Housing), Leeds Building Services, Communities, Housing and Environment, City Development & Climate, Energy and Green Spaces, throughout the procurement journey from inception and agreement of the strategy to the award of the contract.

A significant part of your work will be with Asset Management (Housing). The service manages approximately 54,000 council homes in Leeds, investing in and maintaining them through a mix ofexternal contracts, the council direct labour force, and two Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts.

The construction and housing category team is currently working hand in hand with service managers in Housing to deliver several complex projects,procurements and contracts as required as part of the Council capital and revenue programmes of work. These including embarking on priority schemes that contribute to the decarbonisation of the housing portfolio, making significant contributions towards the council ambitious target of being a net zero carbon city by 2030, building new homes and extra care facilities as part of the Council Housing Growth programme and much more.

You will work in close partnership with service managers with across the Communities, Housing and Environment, City Development and Strategy and Resources directorates and our external contractors to support complex procurements, advising clients and ensuring compliance. You engage with key stakeholders including elected members, our tenants, and leaseholders.

You have close links with the council Procurement and Commercial Services department (PACS), particularly in relation to professional development and wider strategic aims. There may be the opportunity to deliver procurement activity for other services for the council, dependant on the organisation need.

This is a great opportunity for you to move into a procurement role which can offer a variety of work in a vibrant and forward-thinking environment.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement of 25 days plus statutory holidays.
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.

a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
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, ensuring you demonstrate suitability against the essential criteria outlined within the Personal Specification Essential Requirements below.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Tom Regan, Senior Procurement Project Officer (thomas.regan@leeds.gov.uk / 0113 5351356) or Phil Rigby, Procurement Category Manager (Construction and Housing) (phil.rigby@leeds.gov.uk 0113 3785973).

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, 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, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least *GBP*38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

Working as part of the team, you will live and model values and behaviours to help us to achieve our ambition to become the best city council in the country. Your role will be important in ensuring the council is more enterprising and efficient and ensuring that the authority has in place proper arrangements for the administration, support and delivery of procurements. The role operates within the context of the council Business Plan Objective to increase efficiency.

The post holder will be responsible for supporting professional advisory and management functions in respect of procurements which are of moderate complexity, risk and value, supporting complex procurements advising clients and ensuring compliance with procedures, process, current contractual arrangements and a range of statutory and regulatory undertakings, supporting a category management approach and advising members and directorates on related commercial activity.

The Procurement Support Officer will be able to demonstrate relevant skills and experience in supporting the management of procurement projects and will be responsible for supporting the management and monitoring of procurements within identified categories to reduce spend and achieve efficiencies.

Further responsibilities also include:

Monitoring procurements undertaken on a regional and inter council basis.

Responsibilities

Support the management of procurements, supporting the delivery and improvement of services which meet the needs of our communities and stakeholders.
Support and coordinate the provision of advice and information on procurement matters across the authority to senior officers and other stakeholders.
Support effective joint working within the council. Provide guidance and support to colleagues and clients, contributing to an organisational culture of shared accountabilities, learning and continuous improvement.
Support new ways of working, to improve corporate priority outcomes and to ensure that developments and improvements remain focused on delivering outcomes for local people.
Promote and support positive solutions to achieve diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement activity and human resource areas.
Support effective consultation and communications with colleagues, clients, councillors, and other stakeholders in accordance with council policy.
Support open, responsive and accountable government, ensuring good governance compliance with financial and procurement procedures.
Manage all aspects of risk and be responsible for the safety of staff, clients and contractors in accordance with all statutory obligations and relevant health and safety policies.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
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.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Specific Responsibilities

Support the management of procurements and procurement projects, contributing to the delivery of the council procurement category management function as a whole.
Contribute to the identifying of risks and issues in specific procurements.
Assist the procurement team in providing advice to service departments prior to the commencement of the procurement, including procurement options appraisal, procurement plan, specification, pricing models.
Support the tender process to Invitation to Tender stage including contributing to the development and preparation of tender documents for signoff, setting of evaluation criteria and methodology, publishing of relevant documentation.
Contribute to, and where appropriate manage, the procurement process to Contract Award including evaluation of tenders and drafting and issuing of relevant documentation.
Support the provision of post-procurement advice and management, including the Contract Management Plan.
Support the provision of advice regarding contract extensions, variations and termination of contracts.
Where appropriate respond to and communicate with bidders on behalf of the council.
Assist with the monitoring of the implementation of category management and category plans across identified categories of spend.
Report on spend including off-contract, non-contract and quasi-contract spend.
Contribute to the maintenance of a record of the savings achieved through the introduction of more efficient and economic procurement arrangements.
Contribute to the preparation of contract document to ensure that properly drafted contracts are entered into; assist in the implementation of standardised documentation across procurements and categories.
Support the monitoring procurements undertaken on an inter-council basis
Provide advice and guidance on the implementation of, and ensure compliance with, the council Contract Procedure Rules, relevant legislation, and statutory undertakings.
Ensure safety and safeguarding requirements are complied with.

Qualifications

Personal Specification

Method of assessment will be through one or more of the following application form, test, interview, and certificate.

Essential requirements

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills required

Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Degree or relevant demonstrable skills or experience
Relevant demonstrable skills or experience at a level equivalent to CIPS Global Standard for Procurement and Supply Operational or Tactical competency level
Ability to present information in a clear and concise manner using a variety of presentational formats.
Ability to find solutions to problems.
Good communication skills with the ability to form positive relationships.

Knowledge required

Understanding of the principal aims and objectives of effective public sector procurement.
Knowledge and understanding of commercial organisations and markets
Ability to support the implementation of a range of procurement and/or project management tools and techniques which focus on achieving results in terms of outcomes for staff and customers.
Knowledge, understanding and experience of supporting the implementation of initiatives or a procurement and/or project management methodology to drive service improvement
Understanding of the requirement for a commercial approach in respect of public sector procurement

Experience required

Experience of working in a multi-discipline environment.
Experience of supporting a multi-disciplinary and occasionally geographically dispersed procurement or project team.
Experience of supporting projects or initiatives which reflect service needs, provide value for money, and maintain quality.
Experience of delivering a high level of customer satisfaction with the quality of service.

Behavioural and other Characteristics required

Demonstrate drive, energy, resilience and self-management skills as well as integrity, openness and awareness of others.
Committed to continuous improvement.
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development
Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct.

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