Contracts Officer

INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job title: Contracts Officer

Salary: SO2 £37,280 - £39,152 (pay award pending)

Hours: 37 per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Torre Road Depot, 225a York Road, LS9 7QQ with some hybrid working

As Contracts Officer you will thrive on developing and undertaking effective procurement exercises. You will be familiar with managing a wide range of procurement tasks with a view to delivering contract priorities and value for money. You will have excellent organisational skills and have a keen eye for detail. You will be a confident communicator with a can-do approach who can work with a wide range of stakeholders.

About you

As Contracts Officer you will bring to the role:

• A good understanding of tendering and contract management processes to ensure our service complies with regulatory requirements and the Council's Contract Procedure Rules.
• An ethical, organised and focused team member in relation to delivering effective procurement practices.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team with a can do attitude.
• The ability to communicate effectively in person, in writing and over the phone. You will be experienced in drafting reports which will be key elements within the procurement process.
• Have completed the Contract Management Foundation Module

About the role

Fleet Services are responsible for the essential maintenance and repair of the corporate vehicle fleet, which is currently made up of over 1,300 vehicles. Based at Torre Road Depot (Leeds 9), the successful candidate will join our small but busy team who are responsible for purchasing vehicles for the corporate fleet and other procurement and contract management elements needed to support Fleet Services.

The post holder will provide the service with effective, efficient and economic procurement arrangements, in order to obtain value for money from all externally purchased goods and compliance with the Council's Contract Procedure Rules.

The post holder will assist in the planning and control of the day-to-day procurement activities and functions within the service, undertaking contract/tender renewal processes, with advice from corporate procurement, including drafting of tender specifications and supporting the contract management of suppliers of goods/services. In addition, the role will help the service reduce procurement costs and record the savings achieved through the introduction of more efficient and economic procurement arrangements.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements

• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form and upload your CV.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Dan Francis, Procurement & Future Fleet Planning Manager. Call 0113 37 86709 or email [email protected]

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

To provide the service with effective, efficient and economic procurement arrangements, in order to obtain value for money from all externally purchased goods and compliance with the Council's Contract Procedure Rules.

Responsibilities for Grade:

• Assist in the planning and control of the day-to-day activities and operations of the procurement function for all within the service
• To undertake the procurement process in the contract/tender renewal process, with advice from corporate procurement, including drafting of tender specifications.
• To carry out all procurements in a legal, ethical and accountable manner in accordance with regulatory requirements and the Council's Contract procedure Rules.
• To advise the management team on options appraisal, tendering strategy, and the development of selection and evaluation criteria
• To assist the management team to reduce procurement costs across the service and to maintain a record of the savings achieved through the introduction of more efficient and economic procurement arrangements
• To assist in contract management of all suppliers of goods and services in accordance with agreed deadlines and performance indicators
• To carry out all procurement related work in a legal, ethical and accountable manner in accordance with regulatory requirements and the Council's Contract procedure Rules.
• To assist in the management of P cards across the service including authorisation and reporting
• To liaise and communicate with suppliers, including key supplier meetings in order to monitor supplier performance. This will include working with suppliers to consider new areas, business challenges and growing supplier relationships.
• To liaise with Corporate Procurement over tenders, including new contracts and review of existing contract including management of contract renewal process.
• To ensure checks are in place to monitor spend and accurate charging in line with financial standing orders and audit requirements
• To utilising specialist software for costing within specialist areas of the business
• Undertake special project work on related issues as directed by the General Manager.
• Be responsible for coordinating with major suppliers, payments of consolidated invoices and ensuring contract pricing is correctly charged and ensuring allocation of weekly invoices allocation via FMS. Authorisation and/or payments to contracted suppliers using payment cards where appropriate.
• To carry out duties in accordance with the Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Environmental policies.
• To liaise with suppliers over new products and evaluate and report on those products used. ...