The Role

The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth present a unique opportunity to be part of a team who have been working together for a number of years in a ground-breaking shared staffing structure across both Councils. 

About us

This Shared Procurement Service offers procurement professionals an excellent opportunity to expand current skills and experience due to the increased value and scope of procurement activity across the two Councils. 

The Shared Procurement Service provides a combined procurement service to both Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. The Councils operate a fully centralised procurement service with an established team of procurement professionals. Recently restructured to establish a Transactional Procurement Team to enable the core category teams to more effectively support commissioners, and currently embedding new procurement software.

A vacancy will be available shortly for a Category Specialist within the Environmental category team. The successful candidate will support a well established team of procurement professionals, primarily supporting commissioners in Housing and Environment and Community Services. Activity within this category can be some of the most rewarding, and complex procurement activity we undertake. From highways, construction, to Leisure Centres, Parks and Libraries this category offers a very broad range of exciting opportunities for development.

About the role

To provide support and assistance to the Category Manager, and Head of Procurement to ensure compliant procurement processes and working practices are consistent with the requirements of the Public Contract Regulations and, internal procurement codes of practice and contract standing orders.

To proactively lead, manage and deliver contracts using the most commercially appropriate, legally compliant, routes to market that consider life cycle costing, resilience, value for money, social value and internal policies.

Working closely with the Transactional Procurement Team to facilitate timely publication of contract notices and associated tender packs.

The successful candidate will have:

1. A demonstrable track record of success within a comparable sized organisation. 
2. Knowledge and experience of UK Procurement Law in practice.
3. Knowledge of current best practice procurement as it relates to public sector procurement. 

Candidates invited for interview must demonstrate, in both the application for interview (the covering statement) and any subsequent interview, how they meet and indeed, surpass, the above 3 key points.

For an informal discussion please contact Mark Glaister, Head of Procurement, Richmond and Wandsworth Shared Procurement Service via email:   Mark.Glaister@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Agile working

At Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, we care more about how you work and what you achieve, rather than where you work on any given day. The difference you can make to our local communities is what really matters most to us, service delivery must always come first. We have carefully considered agile ways of working to provide the best experience for residents, stakeholders and our staff. Our agile working strategy actively supports and encourages a dynamic work environment and daily working experience. Agile working helps put the needs of our staff at the centre of everything we do, so if specific flexible working arrangements helps you with this, feel free to let us know.

Your wellbeing and the flexible way in which you can work is and will remain a key priority for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. We want you to thrive and feel empowered in your work!

Benefits

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance.  These include, flexible / home working and a generous holiday allowance of 32 days plus bank holidays.  In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities is also offered.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  2^nd November 2023

Shortlisting Date: 3^rd November 2023

Interview Date: W/C 6^th November 2023 (there will be a presentation as part of the interview)

Useful Information:

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Equality

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

The application process for this campaign will be anonymised.

Important Information:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils