Procurement Manager

The Directors of Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust are seeking to appoint a Procurement Manager to join its central services team.

Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust is made up of 35 academics; 5 secondaries and 30 primaries spread across four local authority areas within the northeast. Our central team is primarily based at our head office in Darlington, but we also offer an additional hub based in Hartlepool. This post could be based at either location.

Working with the Chief Operating Officer, you will devise a pragmatic procurement strategy and contract management system across the Trust, in line with national best practice.

You will take a leading role in the tendering, evaluation, placement, and monitoring of a wide range of procurement activities. You will also actively seek opportunities to achieve financial savings across the Trust.

You will have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate, influence and negotiate. You will be comfortable thinking strategically but also translating that vision into concrete results.

At Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust we offer:

• Dedicated staff working across the Trust.
• A supportive and challenging Trust Board of Directors.
• A strong support network and an environment that strongly encourages CPD.
• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme.
• A flexible, family friendly, work environment.
• Generous holiday entitlement.

For further information please contact Trish Abbott, Chief Operating Officer, on tabbott@bhcet.org.uk or visit www.bhcet.org.uk/vacancies to download the application form.

Application forms should be returned to recruitment@bhcet.org.uk before 9:00am on Tuesday 29^th November 2022.

KEY DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Draft and deliver a procurement strategy for the Trust. Develop supporting policy and core guidance for all staff, in line with the Academies Financial Handbook. 
• Compile reports and provide clear recommendations for the Leadership Team and Trustees on procurement and contract management issues.
• Take a leading role in the tendering, evaluation, placement and monitoring of a wide range of procurement activities.
• Actively promote the procurement function within the Trust, including developing training where needed. Build partnerships with local suppliers to produce community-related benefits.
• Actively seek opportunities to achieve financial savings across the Trust.
• Develop and co-ordinate an enhanced contract management function across the Trust in conjunction with the other the Trust contract leads where appropriate.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of procurement legislation and take a lead in ensuring colleagues are aware of any changes.
• Set suitable and challenging performance indicators by which to monitor suppliers and service contractors and lead on monitoring of suppliers' performance in line with KPIs, contractual obligations and service level agreements.
• Define and implement supplier due diligence, contract management and supplier relationship management methodologies
• Responsible for all pre-tender activities and requirements information gathering. Contribute to projects acting as the Procurement subject matter expert.

• Whilst the post will not carry direct line management responsibilities the post-holder will provide advice and guidance to staff based in the Trusts schools.

GENERAL:

• To participate in wider Trust meetings and working groups as required.
• To hold responsibility for all areas of delegated authority in the Trust Scheme of Delegation.
• To support the Trust’s mission, vision, values and strategic objectives.
• To implement the Trust’s Equality and Diversity policies and to work actively to overcome discrimination on grounds of all protected characteristics; sex, race, religion/belief, disability, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy/maternity, gender reassignment status, marriage/civil partnership status.
• To implement the Trust’s safeguarding policies and practices.
• To implement your health and safety responsibility in line with the Trust’s Health and Safety policy.
• To contribute to the Trust’s commitment to continuous improvement as identified in the Trust’s quality assurance systems.
• To ensure that data is handled in line with the General Data Protection Regulations.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS

1.A degree and/or professional qualification relevant to the post

2.Evidence of continuous professional development and training

3. Member of, or be willing to work towards membership of, the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS)

EXPERIENCE

4.Experience of leading and managing a range of compliant procurement activities and drafting all associated tender and contract documentation to effectively manage commercial risks

5. Experience of providing advice and support to key stakeholders on good practice in contracting and purchasing

6. Experience of undertaking analysis of spend, markets, supplier trends and capabilities

7. Experience of supplier due diligence and auditing to ensure that suppliers meet the high ethical standards demanded by the Trust

ABILITIES, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

8. Excellent literacy, numeracy, communication and presentation skills

9. Knowledge of public sector procedures and regulations (including EU directives) governing the invitation and award of contracts

10. Robust knowledge of procurement metrics and systems with proven ability of setting, monitoring and achieving KPIs.

11. Excellent project management skills with experience of successfully managing a number of complex individual projects

12. Excellent organisational skills

13. ICT literate with a working ability to use key IT software to present work to a high standard

14. Ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels

15. Understanding of relevant legislation and regulatory requirements underpinning the education and academies sector

16. Ability to work under pressure, with accuracy, unsupervised and on own initiative

17. Ability to command confidence and credibility and maintain strict confidentiality in all matters

PERSONAL QUALITIES

18. A strong commitment to the Trust values and ethos

19. Commitment to support the Trust’s agenda for safeguarding and equality and diversity

20. A flexible approach and a strong work ethic

21. Commercially astute, articulate, technically strong and influential negotiator

22. High integrity with an ethically sound approach to building internal and external relationships