Procurement Manager

The Lancashire Procurement Cluster are seeking applications for a Procurement Manager - Operations

Applications are sought from across the private and public sector. The successful applicants will bring energy and customer focus to the role. It is important that we recruit the best possible candidate, recognising that innovation and continuous improvement will be key to delivering
sustainable NHS services for the future.

Training and support is offered to the right candidates to ensure they can be successful in the role.

If you think you have the skills and motivation to take on these challenging and exciting roles and would like an informal discussion regarding the opportunity please contact the Head of Service (Procurement).

The LPC encourage applications from those keen on home working flexibility., The Procurement Manager will work within the Procurement tower to support the delivery of the procurement strategy and achieve "balanced Scorecard" targets. This includes delivering against the following objectives:

• Savings and efficiency targets


• Improving compliance with procurement regulations


• Customer service


• Reducing harm initiatives


They will be expected to work with stakeholders at all levels to present the procurement cluster as a progressive and responsive group who work collaboratively, provide new thinking and positively influence system improvement and efficiency.

They will contribute significantly as part of the LPC Procurement team to the strategy and direction of the team.

They will work on specific/allocated projects against agreed timescales and outcomes for LPC customers. This will include sourcing of goods, equipment, materials and services that meet requirements by demonstrating value for money and promoting an integrated approach to procurement.

They will identify and drive through strategic sourcing projects and shape the procurement strategy for spend within their remit.

Provide professional support to users in respect of the procurement process.

Contribute as a senior member of the LPC Procurement team to the strategy and direction of the team.

Working for our organisation

The Lancashire Procurement Cluster (LPC) provides strategic procurement, commercial, logistics and supply chain services to the Trust Partners - Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The organisation is a shared service model, hosted East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. The LPC has four distinct service lines:

• Procurement


• Strategic Relationship Management


• Systems & e-Commerce


• Logistics and Supply Chain, The post holder will take some direction from the Head of Service but also work independently and proactively to:

1. Work with colleagues in the procurement team to design and execute the delivery of the procurement strategy and balanced scorecard objectives through the work plan.
2. Provide excellent customer service to clinicians and service users across the Lancashire Procurement Cluster Trusts and customer trusts.
3. Develop and lead a range of high value procurement projects including planning and tender selection strategies. This involves working closely with clinical and non-clinical staff in order to achieve project support and sign off.
4. Developing appropriate procurement documents via the tendering system and assisting in setting up the award evaluation system.
5. Responsible for the procurement of high value, complex contracts, ensuring appropriate project management processes are in place, status reports are compiled and the procurement requirements are met.
6. Lead on commercial negotiations with suppliers in accordance with the project timescales.
7. Support and guide the professional and training developmental needs within the team.
8. Supervise a dedicated buying team aligned to a selected customer base.
9. Day to day management of Operational Procurement Team within delegated limits and as required and directed by the Head of Service, ensuring motivational and morale levels are improved and maintained.
10. Support budget holders in managing their budgets for allocated projects (across the whole life cycle) and the provision of regular update reports against agreed timescales.
11. Significantly contribute as part of the Lancashire Procurement Cluster procurement team (tower) to the strategy and direction of the tower, in particular with regards to the category of spend within remit.
12. Support the Head of Service in the development and execution of the Procurement tower and wider Lancashire Procurement Cluster strategy by ensuring it is communicated, understood and supported by budget Managers and Clinicians, so achieving the LPCs objectives and ensuring commercial arrangements are optimised throughout the member Trusts.
13. Lead on the uptake of local benefit from collaborative arrangements with all collaborative partners.
14. Ensure compliance with statutory and local policies/standards/procedures throughout the procurement process.
15. Co-ordination of high value quotations and tenders ensuring that there is compliance with Trust Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions.
16. Identify and deliver projects and efficiencies to achieve agreed performance targets.
17. Working closely with partner Trusts, to analyse spend, control expenditure, understand markets and identify savings opportunities.
18. Ensure that all contracts data is captured on the LPC wide contract register.
19. Record efficiencies in the form of savings from budget and inflation/cost-avoidance.


• Good general standard of education including Mathematics and English Language - GCSE level or equivalent


• Degree or diploma level graduate (CIPS or procurement related) or equivalent relevant experience.


Desirable criteria


• Supervisory/management qualification.


• Vocational courses appropriate to the post.


• Willingness to undertake further appropriate study


• Project management qualification.


• Willing and able to complete CIPS, Senior purchasing experience Trust, shared service or large organisation with a varied portfolio.


• Experience of working with clients/stakeholders to senior level to deliver projects or agreed service level.


• Experience of working in busy, target driven team.


• Evidenced experience of managing staff within successful procurement teams.


• Experience of developing and monitoring savings plans to deliver benefits


• Experience of managing third party organisations to deliver cashable benefits.


• Must have experience of staff management within a purchasing environment, ideally around the last 18 months.


Desirable criteria


• Risk Management and Health & Safety Awareness, Expert knowledge of EU Procurement Law


• IT literate with well-developed skills for the use and application of information technology systems (especially MS Office products)


• Management of complex data analysis.


• Good team working and leading experience.


• Strategic planning experience for complex, high spend procurements.


• Ability to adjust strategy seamlessly.


• Tendering expertise.


• Good written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to influence and persuade people at all levels.


• Able to influence and bring about change in a complex organisation


• Strong purchasing and supply chain expertise, and ability to demonstrate success in achieving VFM.


• Tendering and project management expertise


• A good 'people person' able to effectively influence and persuade people.


Desirable criteria


• Experience of NHS/government


• Sound knowledge of public sector finance procedures/legislation.


• Large 'blue chip' private sector experience.


• Advanced knowledge of MS Excel., Commitment to continuous improvement of: Self; Team, and; LPC performance.


• Leadership and delegation skills.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.


• Strong negotiation skills.


• Effective presentation skills.


• Strong team player/team skills.


• Good organisational and administrative skills.


• Good motivator and a positive attitude towards change and development.


• Ability to cope under pressure., Must have access to a Vehicle for work purposes and able to work frequently between sites.


• Able to flexibly work across all Trust locations as required by the service.


• Flexibility and adaptiveness to the changing needs of the service.
  
  At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work., The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust.


We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background.

We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.


• This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.


• Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.


• Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants, who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application, will be short-listed.


Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)

If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained.

The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed.

The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £42.90 and for a Standard Disclosure £22.90 which includes a small handling fee.