Procurement Business Partner

Job Description

The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a Procurement Business Partner to play a pivotal role in delivering the Council’s key priorities of putting residents first and ensuring the organisation operates effectively and delivers value. This strategic position will provide expert, hands-on procurement support and advice to the Culture, Environment and Economy directorate, as well as stakeholders across the wider Council, enabling the delivery of compliant, efficient and best value procurement solutions across a diverse range of activities.

The Procurement Business Partner will take ownership of planning, managing and co-ordinating the directorate’s annual procurement programme, ensuring the successful delivery of a multi-million-pound portfolio of procurement activity. The postholder will be accountable for ensuring that all procurement activities are delivered on time, in full compliance with Procurement Regulations and the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules, and aligned with the Council’s wider strategic ambitions. The role requires a strong focus on partnership working, fostering collaborative relationships with service areas to understand their needs and deliver effective, outcome-focused solutions.

The postholder will build and maintain positive and influential relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including elected members, strategic directors, directors, assistant directors and heads of service. In addition, the role will involve developing strong external networks with peers and partner organisations, including the West London Alliance, to share best practice and drive innovation. Drawing on significant expertise in procurement, commercial practice and contract management, the Procurement Business Partner will contribute to both strategic planning and operational delivery, ensuring high standards of performance and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will have:

• An expert and practical knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023, Public Contract Regulations 2015 and all other relevant legislation associated with public procurement
• A comprehensive understanding and practical experience of the application of E- Tendering in tendering.
• Practical experience of project managing end to end procurement tendering processes that are of high risk, high value and time sensitive.
• Experience of supporting procurement in Cultural, Environmental and, Economy works goods and services which include the following procurement categories: Culture and Leisure, Highways, Grounds Maintenance, Transport, Public Protection and Enforcement, Street Cleansing and Inclusive Economy.
• Up to date knowledge and experience of model forms of contract for this category such as NEC and JCT. Knowledge also of the RIBA stages.
• Experience of successful leadership and influencing on procurement processes in compliance with the legislation.
• Able to plan procurement activities and demonstrate a clear vision which can be translated into effective action.
• Able to evaluate suppliers and tenders from the analysis and interpretation of written, financial, numerical and contractual information.

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/Selection Criteria

About us

Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit with a range of cultures, religions and opinions that come together to produce high achieving schools and a close and friendly community. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.

Other information

Support for candidates visit:Harrow.gov.uk Our behavioural indicators roles below G11 and above G11 Here at Harrow Council, the vision is one of 'Working together to make a difference for Harrow' Please click here to view Harrow Council's benefits

Important Note

To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in service provision, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs at the London Borough of Harrow. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender, reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification applies. As such, we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.

As a disability-confident employer, we are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes reasonably adjusting the recruitment process for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further information, please contact us at resourcing@harrow.gov.uk

London Borough of Harrow 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. Harrow operates stringent, safer recruitment procedures.

Due to the high number of applications received for some posts, we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Harrow redeployees will be given priority consideration.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, any your data protection rights, can be found by visiting www.cifas.org.uk/fpn