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Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Introduction

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in Lewisham’s Procurement team.

What’s the role?

As a Procurement and Contracts Manager, you will provide expert guidance and support to the Housing Directorate team, ensure compliance with legal and Council requirements, and support the development and implementation of the Council’s procurement strategy.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about driving excellence in procurement and delivering impactful public services.

Duties:

1. To ensure successful delivery of procurement and contract management activities, specifically to the Housing Directorate, through the current decentralized model. To this end, to manage and maintain the corporate integrated on line procurement system and procedures for use by client directorates across the Council. To ensure that the team keep that system up to date and fit for purpose at all times to enable compliance with PA2023, UK, local regulation and Council regulation and achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

2. To provide written guidance, comprehensive training and expert consultancy advice to Directorate commissioners in all matters pertaining to procurement practice including the law, the use of the integrated on line system, options appraisals, tendering strategy and the development of selection and evaluation criteria.

3. To review tender documentation prior to publication to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and Council regulations, taking action to correct as necessary.

4. To monitor the procurement practice of Directorates by examination of their use of the integrated on line system to ensure that the Council’s procurement practice and contract management is at all times compliant with relevant legislation and Council regulations and to take action to redress if necessary.

5. To ensure that systems are in place so that the Council complies with all reporting arrangements required by transparency provisions in PA2023, UK or local regulation in relation to procurement activity and decisions.

6. To develop the Council’s procurement strategy for consideration by the Strategic Procurement and Corporate Contract Manager and the Council’s Corporate Procurement Board, ensuring that all necessary research and information, including as required benchmarking, market developments, organisational needs and customer requirements are available to the Board to inform their decisions.

7. To update the knowledge base of strategic analysis of markets and supplier trends to ensure that procurement is based on best practice intelligence. To inform the Board by supporting the development and implementation of corporate strategies, frameworks and standards for procurement across the Council.

8. To take all necessary and appropriate steps to implement the Council’s procurement and contract management strategy.

9. To ensure that the Council’s procurement and contract management strategy and policy documents fully support the wider economic, social and equality objectives of the Council.

10. To oversee the day to day management of the procurement and contract management administrative function to ensure that supplier contacts, contracts, paper and on line records are maintained and kept up to date.

11. To keep abreast of new initiatives, legislation and research in connection with procurement and contract management and to disseminate across the Council as appropriate.

12. To manage the Council’s central procurement and contract management arrangements to ensure efficiency gains for the Council.

13. To support and manage procurement and contract management officers and apprentices so that:

• the team provides professional advice across the Council.
• staff are appropriately trained to deliver the procurement and contract management strategy and any related projects
• the performance of the reporting is managed appropriately and constantly improved
• projects are delivered on time and to budget

14. Promote the Council’s procurement and contract management strategy with senior managers and stakeholders including:-

• Managing key stakeholder relationships
• Representing the Council on relevant bodies as necessary
• Liaison with other local authorities to share best practice
• Providing commercial input and monitoring the quality of Council projects with regard to the procurement strategy
• Working in conjunction with public and private sector partners to ensure opportunities for partnership working are maximised.

15. Attend Council meetings as required, advise the Mayor and members, directorate management teams and executive management team if required.

16. Undertake any other duties within the scope of the post as directed by the Strategic Procurement and Corporate Contract Manager, and to work flexibly within the Procurement team, offering support to other members of the team within their work areas as required. To undertake such other duties commensurate with the grade as may be required from time to time.

17. To support the Strategic Procurement and Corporate Contract Manager from time to time as required.

All employees are required to:

18. Participate in the appraisal and objective setting process and to undertake appropriate training and development identified to enhance their work.

19. Carry out the duties of the post with due regard to the Council’s Dignity at Work Policy and core values.

20. All employees are required to comply with the Council's Health & Safety policies and procedures at all times, taking due care for themselves, colleagues and members of the public.

21. Assist in carrying out the Council's environmental policy within the day to day activities of the post.

22. Undertake other duties, commensurate with the grade, as may reasonably be required.

23. Treat all information acquired through employment, both formally and informally, in strict confidence.

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

What we’re looking for

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented individual with strong problem-solving and organisational skills with particular experience in housing, including work within the public sector or with registered providers. You should have significant experience in procurement and contract management, with a proven ability to ensure compliance, deliver value for money, and support strategic objectives.

Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills are essential, as you will work closely with stakeholders to understand their needs and provide tailored, effective solutions.

You should also have strong time management abilities, capable of prioritising multiple projects and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CV’s.

Applicant handbook- please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact teresa.hitchins@lewisham.gov.uk

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Salary

£60,633-£62,742 per annum (P07)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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