Head of Strategic Procurement

Here at Gloucestershire County Council, we have a new and exciting opportunity to create, shape and implement the council’s procurement strategy.

About the Role

As Head of Strategic Procurement, you’ll lead an existing, well-established team of procurement staff, shaping the service to respond to the Council’s needs and achieve value for money for residents. 

You will have two key focus areas. The first to lead the Council’s Procurement team ensuring that procurement activity achieves best value for the Council and its stakeholders. The second is to act as the Head of Profession to provide high quality advice and support to members, senior leaders, and commissioners across the council. This is a high-profile role requiring depth of knowledge, strategic understanding, highly tuned leadership skills, and the ability to drive change.  You will be joining the team at a key time when we are in the process of implementing a new ERP system which will fully integrate procurement activity.

You’ll build relationships between the team, senior stakeholders and across the organisation, leading the design, development, and implementation of procurement software solutions. What’s more, you’ll play a key role in change management through working actively on impacts, training, organisational design, and communications to improve future resilience.

About you

You’ll have extensive experience leading procurement change and implementing strategy within local government. You will be a natural communicator, building positive working relationships with senior management and the wider organisation. We’re looking for someone who has a thorough understanding of procurement legislation and regulations within the public sector. You must have in depth expertise in the design, configuration, and support of ERP systems across complex organisations. You’ll also have a proven track record of effective decision-making and be personally resilient and not averse to being robustly challenged and challenging back as appropriate.

In return, we’ll say thank you with a range of excellent benefits, including a generous holiday allowance, staff discount schemes, and a great local government pension. We’ll also provide you with the training and support to develop your career. We genuinely care about our colleagues and support their wellbeing.

Closing date for receipt of applications: Midnight Sunday 9^th April 2023