The Role

Opportunity has arisen for a Local Business Procurement Manager to support Small to Medium Enterprises to ensure economic growth and business needs are being met. The Local Procurement Manager will work with buyers and developers to access local supply requirements related to business needs. This is a diverse role that will require, for example, supporting the development of Local Procurement Plans, to ensure obligations such as those in Section 106 planning agreements are complied with. This is an exciting time to join the Enterprise and Business Growth Team, as the borough recovers from the pandemic and faces challenging economic conditions, when the need to support local businesses has never been greater.

The role will manage Supply Wandsworth, a new programme to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) based in the LB Wandsworth to benefit from procurement and supply chain opportunities from major buyers and investors.  This will be a key role with new opportunities arising through the opening of Battersea Power Station and other major developments in and around the borough.  (See the link here for the Virtual Tour of Nine Elms/Battersea)

The Local Business Procurement Manager will need to develop the programme and put it into practice, establishing effective working relationships with major contractors and buyers to obtain details of work packages and supply opportunities, and working with Economic Development Office teams and external partners to engage with the local SME base to raise awareness of supply opportunities, identify potential suppliers and respond to queries from SMEs seeking opportunities to supply.

The post holder will also be required to manage and commission services and initiatives to support the delivery of Supply Wandsworth, including business advice, training, workshops, and Meet the Buyer events.

About you

You will be an ambitious and committed self-starter, ready to take on the challenge of joining a successful Enterprise and Business Growth team.  

The ideal candidate will have:

• Excellent knowledge of procurement processes and/or supply chain management, including the construction and development sector.
• Knowledge of small business development needs, including meeting purchasing requirements of major buyers.
• Previous experience of working in procurement development, supporting purchasing managers and/or supporting businesses to be ‘fit to supply’
• Experience of working with small businesses and providing advice and support; and have strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.

The role will be based in LB Wandsworth with business/site visits required and a mix of flexible home working. This is a fixed term contract until September 2025.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

• We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including, working from home job shares and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 paid days including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities.

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.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline (dates subject to change):

Closing Date:  27 November 2022

Shortlisting Dates:  November 2022  

Interview Date(s): w/c 5 December 2022 

https://theloop.richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk/employment/jobs-board/

For an informal conversation, please contact Susan.shaw@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Useful Information:

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.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Your health and wellbeing are our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

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.

We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams.

All internal applicants for this secondment must seek permission from their current line manager before applying. Failure to do so may result in the secondment not being authorised.

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