Head of Procurement

Birmingham

• Leading the Procurement and Insurance functions for an award winning University
• 2020: Guardian 'University of the Year'; THE 'Outstanding Entrepreneurial University'

About Our Client

Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long-established research-led university known for its world-class teaching quality and strong links to business and the professions.

Job Description

• Review, shape and implement Procurement and Insurance strategies that contribute to Aston's strategic aims and objectives, with particular focus on value for money, sustainability and social value
• Create and implement fit for purpose commercial policies, processes and controls aligned to Aston's strategic aims and objectives, Financial Regulations, ability to manage commercial risk and service delivery
• Develop and secure appropriate resources to deliver a long term sustainable benefits plan and programme complete with commercial and operational targets for Procurement and Insurance Services activities
• Develop and agree mechanisms for collecting, retaining, measuring and reporting procurement benefits
• Create a Procurement resource deploying and developing a category management approach and developing wider commercial capability across Aston's commercial activities through (for example) the creation of stakeholder forums, user induction and training
• Effectively align resources, engage and collaborate with all appropriate stakeholders to determine business requirements and then drive and deliver the agreed long term programme of activities and benefits
• Create and implement supplier/commercial management strategy
• Act as a role model, motivate, lead, mentor, manage and develop the capability of the Procurement and Insurance Services team
• Provide a strategic Procurement lead to decision making forums and major projects across all Colleges and Directorates/Departments within Aston. Generate commercial options to enhance and then secure commercial performance improvements using (for example) whole life costs models and business case approaches
• Provide, and ensure that the Procurement and Insurance Services team members have the capabilities required to provide, a professional source of Procurement knowledge and expertise to Aston.
• Champion the role as the Procurement ambassador and representative for Aston with external agencies including Higher Education Purchasing Consortia, such as the Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC).

The Successful Applicant

Extensive procurement experience, including EU ("OJEU") and UK Public Contracts Regulations compliant practices and procedures gained at senior management level in a higher education institution or public sector organisation.

Proven track record in:

• designing and successfully implementing procurement strategies, policies and processes, achieving significant and quantifiable benefits across a wide range of goods and services
• developing innovative solutions and contributing to organisation strategic planning
• successfully implementing change management projects
• influencing senior management and stakeholders effectively in a multi stakeholder organisation
• proactively leading and developing teams to deliver significant change
• Experience of sourcing major contracts and services including outsourcing
• Experience of the successful development, implementation and application of supplier relationship management and contract management strategies, policies and procedures

What's on Offer

• £51,034 to £59,135 per annum
• 30 days annual leave plus a minimum of 13 days Bank Holidays and University Closed Days
• Dynamic Working Environment - you deliver your priorities in a flexible way whilst maintaining service delivery https://www2.aston.ac.uk/staff-public/hr/policies/dynamic-working
• Employee travel pass scheme
• Car park scheme
• Low emission car lease scheme
• Aston gym memberships
• Personal/Professional Development
• Employee Assistance Programme

Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.

Additional Information

Salary: 50,000 - 60,000
Position Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 05-AUG-21