Procurement Manager
Salary: £38,969 – £43,300
Open-Ended
Full Time
Based at: Keyworth, Nottinghamshire
A new and exciting opportunity for a high-level procurement expert at the British Geological Survey (BGS) site at Keyworth!
The organisation
BGS is a world leading geological survey that provides a core science mission to inform government of science related to the subsurface and its interfaces and also undertakes applied research for solutions to earth and environmental processes. Founded in 1835, BGS is an applied geoscience research centre within the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI
UKRI is a non-departmental public body, bringing together the functions of the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK, and Research England and seeks to maximise value from government’s investment in research and innovation of over £6bn per annum.
Procurement
BGS spend is complex and accounts for almost 10% of UKRI’s total spend of more than £520m per annum. BGS buys a wide range of complex and sometimes unique products and services including equipment, technical services and infrastructure to support a range of end-users and sites including some which are shared with other organisations. The organisation works in partnership with a shared services centre which supports contracting for common goods and services.
The UKRI Procurement Function provides a wide range of procurement support to the whole organisation but the majority of its effort is focussed on the management of the whole procurement cycle including planning, sourcing and contract management in a compliant manner while providing value for money.
The Role
We are currently recruiting a range of procurement and procurement professionals to support an exciting expansion of the wider UKRI in-house procurement group. The new BGS Procurement Manager, working in coordination with similar roles in other UKRI groups, will lead the development and management of the function for BGS, which will be incredibly interesting and challenging.
The role is part of a UKRI three-fold expansion in procurement capacity and skills across the organisation. With a strategic and “professional” reporting line to the UKRI Head of procurement, this role will maintain a strong operational responsibility to the BGS senior management team. The role will be responsible for:
- Provision of assurance to the BGS senior team that its procurement practices are effective whilst adhering to policy and regulation;
- Development of BGS procurement and procurement strategy;
- Acting as a focal point for internal stakeholders;
- Support and development of the procurement capabilities of staff and keeping the BGS up-to-date with best practice in public procurement;
- Provision of direction on market engagement, procurement routes, terms and conditions, supplier performance, procurement planning and procurement governance;
- Engaging collaboratively within the organisation to provide expert advice and direction on aspects of regulations and controls, including from Cabinet Office and BEIS;
- Development of internal Contract Management skill;
- Supplier relationship management activity associated with strategically critical suppliers; and
- Ensuring close relationships and practical working relationships with external stakeholders including the wider UKRI procurement function, the current shared service organisation and, in some cases, BEIS procurement group.
About You
You will
- Be educated in a business / procurement discipline or equivalent;
- Be MCIPs qualified;
- Have experience of managing teams effectively;
- Have significant experience and knowledge managing contracts and complex procurement transactions;
- A track record of delivering procurement projects in a public sector environment;
- Have good experience of strategic supplier relationship management, including dispute resolution;
- Experience of procurement risk identification, management and mitigation;
- Ability to understand, interpret, advise, amend and negotiate contracts terms;
- Be customer focused – committed to an ethos of an accountable, cost effective, high-quality, customer-driven service delivery with skills in partner management and relationship building;
- Be able to present clear and logical reasons for proposals and decisions;
- Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills at all levels;
- Have the ability to explain technical procurement procedures and provide training and advice to a wide audience; and
- Have a high degree of procurement awareness and be financially astute.
UK Research and Innovation offers a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas shut down, flexible working hours, an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme, and social and sporting activities and societies.
How to Apply
Applicants are required to include a CV and cover letter outlining their suitability for this role.
Applications are handled by UK SBS; to apply please click the apply button. Applicants who are unable to apply online should contact us by telephone on +44 (0)1793 867000.
The closing date for applications is 23rd August 2020.
