View Vacancy - Regional Procurement Head (REF. LTU223)-INTERNAL VACANCY

The British Embassy in Vilnius is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Regional Procurement Head. The Regional Procurement Head for the Europe/EECAD Regions will oversee the Regional Procurement team based in Vilnius. The Regional Procurement Head will take responsibility across a network of office locations for all procurement activity (£25k to £100k) working closely with central Procurement staff (Commercial Procurement Group) in London and staff at regional office locations. In addition to delivering procurement projects, the Regional Procurement Head will be responsible for ensuring that procurement processes operate smoothly and consistently and in line with the CPG global policy.  The Head will also be responsible for building good relationships with the key regional suppliers and internal stakeholders. They will work closely with a wide variety of internal stakeholders, helping to identify, specify and meet their requirements. They will also monitor compliance in respect of spend and advise on procurement matters at various values.

Main Duties and Responsibilities: 

Building Capability:

• Manage the Regional Procurement Team based in Vilnius (4 staff total);
• Ensure that standards are achieved and maintained through investing in the capability of the team, providing training, managing talent and creating a culture of learning and development;
• Development of commercial capability of regionally based staff working with or having responsibility for procurement.

Achieving Commercial Outcomes and Delivering Value for Money:

• Working collaboratively with customers and other procurement teams across the regional network leading, developing and co-ordinating delivery of procurement solutions which meet customer requirements and achieve Value for Money for the FCO and HM Government;
• Work with customers to identify, specify and deliver against Post and Regional requirements for the full range of Goods, Works and Services;
• Manage the contract tender process of procurement/contract-related goods, services or works projects, including sourcing of suppliers, input and agreement of specification, preparation and quality control of tender documentation, liaison and coordination with suppliers to clarify requirements, coordination and evaluation of bids, seek appropriate approval, agreement of contracts and management and closure of contracts;
• All aligned to the global processes and utilising the specified E-Procurement application;
• Provide advice on contract management process and contract disputes;Deliver value for money and where possible savings on projects.

Changing and Improving:

• Work with customers within the region to support staff in low value procurement activity including optimisation of suppliers;
• Achieved through challenging assumptions, quantifying the need and providing advice and guidance, and driving low value procurements through GPC.

 Managing a Quality Service:

• Ensure compliance to legal and procurement regulatory requirements on all new supplier set ups, new contracts and purchase orders between £25K and £100k;
• Monitor and report on the SLA for supplier set ups and engage with customers on any non-compliance with policies, rules and legal requirements;

Managing a Quality Service:

• Manage, implement and review local procurement processes and procedures to meet UK FCO procurement guidance;
• Create regular opportunities for staff and customers to help improve service quality and demonstrate a visible involvement;
• Work with the procurement policy teams in the UK to develop and standardise new policies and processes to ensure compliance across the region;
• Consider customers requirements, manage expectations and consider delivering solutions to meet their needs.

 Collaborating and Partnering:

• Work with finance colleagues on developing processes and tools to ensure that procurement activity accurately reflected in business plans and budgets.

 Achieving Commercial Outcomes:

• Help resolve contractual disputes, taking appropriate action to protect the FCO’s interest;
• Interact confidently and effectively as an intelligent and highly credible client with counterparts from the commercial delivery organisations and commercial experts;
• Understand the commercial drivers that will influence a private sector organisations and the levers that can be used in negotiating/influencing contractual arrangements;
• Recognise and understand the commercial tools such as pricing models, open book accounting, supply chain management that commercial experts can deploy to extract value from contracts.

• University-level degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Economics, Finances or similar;
• CIPS - Diploma in Procurement and Supply through The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply or evidence of studying towards – near completion;
• CIPS Membership;
• Fluent level of English, both oral and written;
• Minimum 3-6 years of relevant qualified procurement experience;
• IT literate to an advanced level;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Customer service experience;
• Strategic focus and ability to work proactively;
• Availability to travel to the UK and other countries.