IT Category Specialist (x2)

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 Procurement?

Surrey County Council offers such an opportunity.

We already have 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 looking to recruit two dynamic Category Specialists to work within the IT procurement team.

Working as part of a highly motivated team, this role will require a broad understanding of the IT hardware and software market. It will also involve strategic contract management and ensuring the benefits are realised throughout the term. A main drive of the authority is collaboration and several projects will involve working in partnership with other public sector bodies, maximising potential for savings, joint projects and collaborative working. We are searching for Category Specialists that will develop these partnerships by providing a high standard of IT procurement expertise.
We are recruiting for two roles to manage distinct areas of the IT procurement team:

1) Strategic commercial management of two sizable telecoms contracts. One contract has many partner organisations that may require commercial advice/support.

2) Management of a variety of mid value hardware and software procurement projects. This will involve working with a wide range of services within SCC and other partners.

Main Duties would include -

• Commercial management of telecoms implementation projects OR managing a variety of mid value procurement projects.
• Active benchmarking to ensure continued value
• Stakeholder management of internal and external customers
• Advising stakeholders of the marketplace and best route to market
• Management of multiple full end-to-end procurement processes
• Ensuring final contract is most suitable for requirements and delivers value
• Ensuring full compliance with relevant EU procurement regulations
• Developing and managing supplier relationships

Required Experience:

• An in-depth knowledge of the Telecoms marketplace AND/OR knowledge of IT hardware and software
• An understanding of public sector guidelines
• 3 years procurement experience
• Understanding of IT Procurement marketplace
• Excellent team member
• Excellent commercial awareness
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Excellent stakeholder management skills
• Excellent communicator
• Good understanding of software contracts / Licensing
• Telecoms Contract Management experience

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact David Overthrow on 020 8541 7179.

To apply, please upload your CV and covering letter as one document.

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.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice, reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.