Procurement Lead - home based working in the north west of England

Alternative Futures Group is the North West’s largest Mental Health and Learning Disability charity.

With a strong track record over 30 years, we work locally in the community and through our Treatment and Recovery Centres to provide a wide range of innovative and bespoke care services.

We have a vision to create a world where people control their lives.  Here at AFG, we pride ourselves on helping the people we support to design, develop and ‘own’ the support they receive by planning this with them; we support people to make informed choices and increase their own independence; and we support people to maintain their own health, wellbeing and living environment.  These principles are really important to us.

As a ‘values based’ employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our AFG family.  If you are passionate about working in Health and Social Care and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.

At AFG we also recognise the contribution and value that our staff make.  We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you! 

In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.

Job Title: Procurement Lead

Reports to: Director of Finance, Procurement & Estates

Responsible for: One direct report although the size of the team may fluctuate depending on the corporate activity of the organisation

Job Purpose

Provide pro-active leadership to deliver quantifiable business benefits (both improved service delivery and financial performance) in relation to procurement for all products and services for use by the organisation.            

Provide procurement advice and support to corporate and operational colleagues, the Senior Leadership and Executive teams. The role holder will also be required to provide support to the Director of Finance, Procurement & Estates (hereafter referred to as the Director of Finance) and the Chief Finance Officer on committee related matters.

Dimensions

• One direct report although the size of the team may fluctuate depending upon corporate activity of the organisation.
• Non-pay related spend of the Charity of circa. £10m - £11m per annum.

Principal Accountabilities

• Optimise supplier performance through improved service provision and financial performance, adopting a “value for money” mentality at all times.
• Under the guidance of the Director of Finance lead in the development of a supplier performance framework including frequency of review, operational and financial key performance indicators, and outcome-based metrics.
• Ensure all legal, regulatory, and internal policies relating to procurement are adhered to, including Anti-Bribery and Corruption and Fraud, Modern Slavery Act requirements and compliance with the Scheme of Reservation and Delegation.
• Lead in the maintenance of internal policies, ensuring policies are kept up to date and reflect all legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the organisation.
• Set the annual department budget in line with the strategic plan.
• Deliver against the annual budget. 
• Support the Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer in providing assurance from a procurement perspective regarding the appropriateness of arrangements being entered in to by the organisation. 
• Under the guidance of the Director of Finance, lead the development and group wide day-to-day operation of the procurement function. Support the supply side tendering and contracting arrangements to deliver the organisation’s business objectives (reflecting industry recognised best practice). 
• Lead the identification and development of new supply chains, including small/medium enterprises (SMEs), to create greater competition and align the business to category procurement strategies. 
• Working with operational/corporate colleagues, develop and implement a business continuity plan for key and strategic supplies/suppliers. 
• Project lead of any assigned projects. Contribute to multi-disciplinary projects as required to ensure delivery on-time and to cost and quality targets.
• Lead the procurement team, providing day to day leadership of the team and ensuring performance reviews are undertaken on a timely basis.
• Provide procurement leadership/knowledge through the iterations of any new ERP systems.

Person Specification Essential Requirements: 

Experience: 

• Experience in a procurement leadership capacity (minimum three-years) for a medium/large organisation - with a demonstrable record of effectively managing the supplier base and delivering financial savings, within a framework set by senior management.
• Experience of working in partnership with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrable supplier management experience.
• Experience of tendering contracts under EU or subsequent UK procurement law.
• Understanding of law and regulations relating to procurement and ability to translate into simple language.
• Experience of Budgeting and Reforecasting.
• Strong commercial and operational experience.

Skills and Knowledge: 

• Leading multiple tasks and prioritise workload of self and others to achieve objectives.
• Practical problem solving and solving complex problems.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to form and maintain good working relationships with a wide variety of people at all levels including external organisations
• Strong interpersonal skills combined with a supportive and visible leadership style.
• Business and report writing.
• Knowledge of UK and EU procurement legislation.
• Good understanding of contract structures, including legalities and interpreting legal statements.
• Knowledge of the procurement process within Health and Social Care sectors

Values and Attitudes: 

• Strong financial acumen.
• Strong communication skills: verbal, written and in presentations. The ability to sell ideas or benefits and build persuasive arguments based on data, logic, and objective merits of situations.
• Project planning and ability to motivate team of specialist/key stakeholders to work towards a common goal.
• Able to influence and persuade others.
• Attention to detail.
• Personal leadership qualities including enthusiasm, tenacity, flexibility, patience, and a positive, solution-focused outlook.
• Prioritise tasks.
• Ability to work under pressure and effective at working to tight deadlines – highly motivated.

Qualifications & Training: 

• CIPS qualification/membership.
• Committed to demonstrating Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
• Strong I.T. skills including Microsoft word, excel and power-point.  Ability to utilise technology to assist the tendering and procurement team

This role is home based and involves travel within the north west of England - a driver with the use of a vehicle is therefore required. 

This role is Band II as per our structure.