Local Government Jobs

Nine West London councils provide services to over 2.2m residents and spend around £2.2 billion a year on goods and services from external suppliers. To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their procurement the West London Alliance (WLA) is now seeking a Head of Collaborative Procurement to develop and deliver joint procurement and supplier relationship management.

This new and exciting opportunity for a high achieving procurement specialist has been created recently following a decision by the WLA Leaders and Chief Executives to establish a high level West London Procurement Board. You will lead a team of procurement specialists, supported by two senior category managers, to deliver the benefits of collaborative procurement including savings and more efficient delivery of services from suppliers.

The team will be working on an ambitious collaborative programme including projects for the joint commissioning and tendering of major services. Initially many of the projects will be in property, environmental and business services. The team will play a key role in promoting cultural change across the West London councils to allow the full benefits of collaborative procurement to be realised.

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead on an innovative and high profile initiative to establish collaborative procurement across West London, the benefits of which will contribute significantly to the councils’ challenging financial plans and targets.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the necessary skills, knowledge and gravitas to engage at a senior level and be able to drive forward and implement change whilst working in a collaborative and multi-stakeholder environment.

An excellent track record in procurement including strategic sourcing of major services, supplier relationship management and commercial partnering, gained in either the private or public sectors, combined with significant experience in management of procurement teams is essential. Furthermore the candidate must have the ability to provide overall programme management to ensure the successful delivery of projects and workstreams within the collaborative programme.

Ealing Council will be the employer on behalf of the West London Alliance and this role is subject to Ealing’s enhanced vetting process.

For an informal discussion about the post, contact Mark Davies on 07702 954389. Information about the WLA is available on our web site www.westlondonalliance.org

Closing date: 10 February 2012.

Interview date: week commencing 27 February 2012.