Ashton Recruitment require a Procurement Officer for our client based in Newry

Position: Procurement Officer
Location: Newry
Duration: Temporary
Rate of Pay: £20.58 per hour
Hours of Work: 36 hours per week

Duties will include (but not limited to):
1) To identify, manage and advise on all risks or perceived risks to Council relating to procurement processes, including advising on how to minimise the exposure to risk.
2) To be the contact for all procurement related issues, protocols and e-tendering requirements and represent Council on same.
3) To authorise e-Procurement System transactions as required in order to progress e-RFQs, e Tenders or orders for award.
4) To appraise, approve and instruct e-RFQ and e-Tender rationales for procurement of goods and services against advised evaluation criteria and scoring matrices ensuring adherence to policy, procedure, directives and regulations.
5) To investigate, document and instruct on queries or complaints in respect of procurement and logistics processes and potential breaches. To act as arbitrator where contractual issues occur and undertake termination of contracts within legal constraints.
6) To prepare and process tender, quotation and order documentation as required.
7) To provide advice and interpretation on UK and EU procurement Regulations and Council Standing Orders, adapting and amending Council policy, procedure and documentation to ensure compliance with same.
8) To manage the onsite fuel stocks for the Council's fleet, offices and buildings to include:
a. Complete monthly fuel audits including dipping tanks, daily gauge checks and vehicle readings
b. Liaison with Environmental Health and Health & Safety departments regarding storage of same
c. Responsible for the safe keeping of keys for all Council properties and vehicles within Central Stores and be responsible for the master key housing the central stores, purchasing offices and Council fuel terminal and tanks.
9) Provision of training and assistance to internal and external customers on systems, policies and procedures pertaining to the work of the procurement and stores section.
10) Complete market research and investigations identifying sources of supply to ensure best value for money. Prepare appraisals and reports for Council, Officers and Auditors as required.
11) To prepare evaluation and analysis reports of tender submissions and provide competition guidance on evaluation criteria and supplied documentation ensuring adherence as set out by funders, Council, UK and EU policies and procedures.
12) To keep abreast of changes to relevant legislation and best practice making recommendations as appropriate to the Procurement Manager.
13) To maintain a good knowledge of the marketplace, identify market trends and advise on exploitation of same.
14) To actively manage and maintain relationships with suppliers, measure supplier performance and negotiate prices.
15) To monitor, evaluate and make recommendations regarding supply chain management tools and e-procurement solutions for the Council in conjunction with the Procurement Manager.
16) To supervise designated temporary staff and/or volunteers/student as required. General 17. Carry out duties for all jobs up to and including those in the grade / scale set for this post provided such duties are deemed to be within the area of work.
17) Carry out duties in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Order 1978 (as amended); Acts of Parliament; Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements; and all Council Policies and Procedures including Dignity at Work, Health and Safety, Attendance and all relevant Codes of Conduct.
18) Complete all documentation associated with the duties of the post.
19) Participate in staff training and development activities to ensure that knowledge, skills and competence required to fulfil the role in full are up to date.
20) Undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and promote the positive reputation of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
21) Undertake all aspects of work respecting confidentiality.
22) By its nature the post will require flexible working to meet the needs of the service.
23) Contribute to Corporate, Departmental and Regional working groups as required.
24) Actively participate in employee relations matters including undertaking investigations and chairing hearings relating to employment matters as required (e.g. discipline, grievance & harassment) and make decisions regarding appropriate outcomes with support from HR and in compliance with the relevant legislation.

Essential Criteria
1. Have a minimum of a Level 4* qualification, for e.g. HNC
and
At least 1 year's working experience with procurement competitions/processes.
OR in lieu of qualification
At least 2 years' working experience with procurement competitions/processes.
2. Previous experience of editing and producing content for tender documents in adherence with the relevant policies and procedures.
3. Be able to demonstrate competence in use of e-mail and Microsoft office applications including word, excel.
4. Ability to analyse, interpret data and provide management reports.

Ashton Recruitment is acting as a Recruitment Business