Do you have ambitions to be part of a leading procurement team in the public sector?

One that is on a journey to become a centre of excellence in Commercial Procurement?

Surrey County Council offers such an opportunity.

It already has an enviable track record of successful delivery across a range of categories, recognised through a number of awards (including the 2010 CIPS Supply Management Award) and ongoing achievement of multi-million pound savings.

To help realise its future vision, SCC are now looking to recruit a dedicated team that will take responsibility for the end to end sourcing process – from advertising the opportunity to the market through to awarding the contract.

Not only will the team support the strategic category teams they will be regarded as experts in their own right: valued by their customers for their advice on the most appropriate procurement routes; their skills in exploiting sourcing technologies; and their ability to deliver an efficient procurement process time after time.

These roles offer the rare chance to become involved in the creation of a brand new team and to help shape its direction.

They are high profile positions and provide a fantastic opportunity to progress a career in procurement. There is a very real expectation within the procurement department that members of this team will develop into the Category Specialists of the future. The team will comprise of a Sourcing Specialist Lead and 3 Sourcing Specialists.

As the Sourcing Specialist Team Lead, you will be a key figure with drive and tenacity who will take the lead role in developing the sourcing team. You will be required to work closely with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, upto a senior level. This will be combined with advanced project/programme management skills.

Key activities will include:

• Developing team expertise in e-tendering and e-auctions.
• Leading on development of PQQ/ITT templates.
• Liaising with Senior Category Specialists to ensure a fit between the future procurement programme and sourcing team resource.
• Ensuring all projects are on track against plan (and working with the team to resolve issues where delays occur).
• Ensuring excellent customer relationships are in place across the team (and where this is not the case developing these with the team). As required delivering presentations to customer groups.
• Taking direct responsibility for all sourcing activities in an agreed category.

We are looking for someone who has a solid grounding within operational procurement (ideally this will include public sector experience). Some previous management experience is desirable but we will consider you if you can demonstrate the necessary aptitude.

Interviews for candidates from the redeployment pool will be held on Tuesday 31 January 2012.

Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Closing Date: 19 February 2012