Job Introduction
Milton Keynes is truly unique by design. It’s the only UK city which has been specifically designed for growth from its very inception. One of the UK’s fastest growing cities that offers people a great place to live, work and visit, and is home to over 14,000 businesses and over 265,000 residents. In mid-June we published our refreshed Council Plan - our vision is for a more prosperous, green and fair Milton Keynes, as we recover and grow following the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the coming year we aim to deliver significant regeneration and new house build programmes, reduce child poverty, build new schools, tackle homelessness, review some of our major contracts (such as waste) and much more! The corporate procurement team will be at the centre of many of these key projects and we are now looking for people to join our team and help support these important pieces of work.
Thank you for taking the time to review this opportunity, My name is Mark Culley and I am the Strategic Procurement Lead for Milton Keynes Council, I have led the team since June 2021 and been part of the team since 2016. The Corporate Procurement team has recently moved back to Milton Keynes Council after having been previously outsourced into a shared services organisation.
The Corporate Procurement Team undertake procurement activity across a vast number of service areas ranging from Waste to Highways to Leisure to IT and many others. Our activity ranges from projects valued at £25,000 and upwards.
I am proud of the Corporate Procurement team we have in MK and how we are positioned within the wider organisation but we have much more to deliver! We are a service that genuinely adds value and we take an active lead on all decisions across the Council, supporting a number of directors, partners and projects, in order to ensure we are giving the best value to our residents and businesses.
This is a fast-paced area and no day will be the same! We are looking for enthusiastic, inquisitive, and passionate person to take on the Procurement Manager Role who will challenge services and processes to ensure good governance and value for money and you will be part of a dynamic, passionate team who are integral to the wider council services.
Thanks
Mark
Main Responsibility
Accountable for a portfolio of procurement projects from £100,000 up to £50 million to enable the delivery of service outcomes and value for money across a wide range of disciplines.
Manage procurement projects to ensure that best practise is used to maximise opportunities for efficiencies and service improvement including Contract Management.
To advise and train officers in the drafting of tender documents including approaches to evaluation and the relevant approval reports.
To establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships with all internal and external stakeholders
To liaise with service areas to understand their specific service delivery needs and to influence and support them in applying the most appropriate procurement strategy that delivers these outcomes.
To deliver Social Value through Procurement activity to provide “More for MK”
The Ideal Candidate
Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply. Level 4 Diploma in Procurement & Supply mandatory with Level 5 Advanced Diploma being worked towards/preferable.
Extensive Knowledge of public sector/local government procurement processes and regulations.
Experience in Procurement activity preferably public sector including FTS.
Experience of delivery of Social Value and Contract Management in tenders and contracts.
Experience of manipulation of financial and other data within an excel environment to evaluate tenders and performance.
Able to think and act strategically within a corporate structure.
Effective communicator both verbally and in writing.
Working as part of a team to deliver strategic objectives.
Taking responsibility for delivering own work and meeting agreed work objectives, working to local frameworks and guidelines.
Energy, drive and resilience under pressure
Package Description
We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes Council, including:-
- Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates of 18.8%
- 27 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years
- Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, Apprenticeship Programmes (junior and senior), coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Health Cashplan
- MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
- SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
- Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles)
- Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs)
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements
- Childcare Subsidy
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes is a diverse, multi cultural, adrenaline packed expanding city with so much to offer on its door step. From beautiful open spaces, a busy theatre district, large shopping centre to a number of cultural and leisure facilities.
Milton Keynes Council has an array of responsibilities, such as: education, housing, highways and social services. Altogether, the council provides over 240 services to the citizens of Milton Keynes, and to meet such an extensive and diverse range of challenges we must be innovative and dynamic to provide services successfully to meet the increasing demands that will accompany the growth of Milton Keynes. How better to contribute to that continued success than through a unique and rewarding career with us. If you want to make a difference and experience a fulfilling job measured on outcomes and results with great work-life balance, make a move to Milton Keynes Council.
