Role: Senior Category Manager REF 135026
Contract Length: Until 14/12/26
Location: Hackney
IR35: Inside
Pay Rate to Intermediary: £450 per day
Spinwell is recruiting for a Senior Category Manager for an excellent opportunity within the public sector.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SENIOR CATEGORY MANAGER
- Provide enhanced construction procurement support to the Housing Regeneration and Delivery service.
- Provision of procurement support in the development of the Regeneration, Economy & Housing Development division and oversee strategy and its implementation including procurement of essential contracts identified as part of the delivery of the strategy.
- Oversee contracts negotiations and the contract management for major regeneration works and services procured by Housing Development, as well as smaller day-to-day purchases, both of Professional Services and Works contracts.
- To take the lead in ensuring that the principles of the Sustainable Procurement Strategy is translated into the contracting and contract management processes in Housing Development.
- To lead on the development of procurement project plans for each contract, having regard to the needs of the service (and in particular budget constraints and critical start dates for development contracts), the requirements of the procurement process with regard to Standing Orders and Public Procurement Legislation, resident and TMO engagements and workload.
- To oversee and coordinate the timely production of all documents necessary for the tender process, including the terms and conditions of contract, service specifications and performance standards, and to liaise with members of the Project Team to ensure that service requirements promote Best Value.
- To act as the contact point for all selection questionnaires and tender queries, using judgement to direct queries to appropriate project team members and to determine when responses are commercially significant, requiring notification to all tenderers. Liaising with members of the Project Team as required.
- To manage the systems administration of the Procardis / Procontract / London Tenders portal.
- To spearhead risk management initiatives throughout the Housing Regeneration & Delivery procurement portfolio, thereby mitigating the potential for legal challenges and claims.
SKILLS/EXPERIENCE OF THE SENIOR CATEGORY MANAGER
Experience
- Experience and a high level of competence in public sector procurement and commercial activities, including knowledge of the Public Procurement Act 2023 (PA2023), the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR2015), and procurement within the private sector.
- Proven experience of working at a senior level within Regeneration, Housing, Public Realm, Energy, and Corporate Property environments.
- Knowledge of construction and built environment contracts, including JCT, NEC, PPC2000, and forms of contract such as Design & Build (D&B
- Strong experience leading major and minor works procurement projects relating to the repair and maintenance of corporate property portfolios.
- Demonstrable experience of delivering cost savings through procurement activities and achieving sustainable benefits.
- Experience of planning, managing, and monitoring programmes of work.
- Experience of establishing complex contracts and service agreements, ideally within a local authority or Regeneration, Housing, Public Realm, Energy, or Corporate Property environment.
- Experience of presenting to senior management meetings, boards, and committees.
- Experience of collaborative working with councils, partner organisations, and other agencies, including strong negotiation skills.
- Experience of using IT-based systems to support decision-making.
- Experience of supporting Section 20 consultations and TUPE transfers as part of major works procurement.
- Experience of developing and procuring a variety of contract types, including partnering agreements.
Skills and Abilities
- Good knowledge and understanding of procurement requirements within a building management and construction environment.
- A clear understanding of contractual principles, contract law, statute law relating to public procurement (including UK and former EU public procurement regulations), with strong knowledge of the Public Procurement Act 2023 (PA2023).
- Understanding of Council Standing Orders, Financial Regulations relating to procurement, and the Procurement Gateway Process.
- Ability to work on own initiative, prioritise workloads, and deliver to deadlines.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial information.
- Ability to negotiate effectively across a range of contractual frameworks.
- Ability to apply contractual law and procurement procedures to develop practical and innovative solutions that meet service requirements.
- Ability to work proactively while recognising issues requiring consultation with senior managers or key stakeholders.
- Ability to work collaboratively across corporate teams and influence colleagues and stakeholders.
- Strong team player with excellent communication skills for engaging with elected members, employees, customers, and stakeholders.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to present, facilitate, influence, and negotiate effectively.
- Professional demeanour that inspires confidence and credibility with customers, elected members, chief officers, managers, staff, external partners, and stakeholders.
- Ability to influence key decision-makers and stakeholders to implement a performance management culture within teams delivering diverse and complex specialist services.
- Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external organisations.
- Commitment to continuous learning and professional development, with the ability to acquire new skills.
- Political awareness and sensitivity, with an appreciation of the wider organisational context.
- Good understanding of the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy and associated responsibilities.
- Understanding of corporate objectives, including the Council's Corporate Plan and Key Deliverables.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (Google Suite).
- Experience using e-procurement systems for tendering and contract management.
Qualifications
- A relevant professional qualification (e.g. MCIPS) and/or appropriate professional experience at a senior level.
- Good and relevant procurement experience with a proven track record of working on complex procurement projects.
- Procurement experience within the Regeneration, Housing and Corporate Property environment is essential, for example the individual may come from a Construction, Surveying, Architecture, Legal background involving the built environment.
If you are a Senior Category Manager, apply now or send your CV to Spinwell!
We welcome all applications regardless of background, in line with our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
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