Nine West London councils provide services to over 2.2m residents and spend around £2.2 billion a year on goods and services from external suppliers. To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their procurement, the West London Alliance (WLA) is now seeking two senior category managers to deliver joint procurement and supplier relationship management.

This is a new and exciting initiative, which has been created recently following a decision by the WLA Leaders and Chief Executives to establish a high level West London Procurement Board. A team of procurement specialists will be led by the Head of Collaborative Procurement and supported by the two senior category managers to deliver the benefits of collaborative procurement including savings and more efficient delivery of services from suppliers.

The team will be working on an ambitious collaborative programme including projects for the joint commissioning and tendering of major services. The team will play a key role in promoting cultural change across the west London councils to allow the full benefits of collaborative procurement to be realised.

This is a fantastic career development opportunity to work on an innovative and high profile initiative to establish collaborative procurement across west London, the benefits of which will contribute significantly to the councils’ challenging financial plans and targets.

Operating in either the private or public sectors, you will have a strong track record in the procurement of high value services including detailed knowledge and experience of developing commercial strategies, leading supplier negotiations as well as co-ordinating supplier relationship management.

Significant experience of successfully leading and delivering complex projects is essential, preferably involving multiple stakeholders. A high degree of experience in the strategic sourcing of property, facilities management, environmental and related services is also required.

Ealing Council will be the employer on behalf of the West London Alliance and this role is subject to Ealing’s enhanced vetting process.

For an informal discussion about the post, contact Mark Davies on 07702 954389. Information about the WLA is available on our web site www.westlondonalliance.org

Closing date: 10 February 2012.

Interview date: week commencing 12 March 2012.