View Vacancy - Regional Procurement Manager

Main purpose of job:

Based in Mexico City and reporting to the Deputy Head of Regional Procurement, the jobholder will work as part of the Regional Procurement Team that sits within the FCDO Commercial Directorate; working with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders on all aspects of procurement delivery, review, monitoring and reporting.  Assist the Deputy Head of Regional Procurement in day-to-day delivery of the team in Mexico.

FCDO Commercial takes responsibility for the acquisition of all goods and services required by the organisation whether bought at home in the UK or at one of our 260 office locations around the world.  We do this by directly managing high value procurement activities, creating, and implementing the policies and procedures for everything else.

The FCDO has a regional structure for Finance, Procurement and HR across the whole network, realising cost reductions and global spend savings, whilst keeping quality high by reforming the way we manage procurement across the network.

The Procurement Operating Model requires procurement expertise in the regional organisation structure.  Providing expert service to our global network of locations whilst retaining the ability to deliver efficiently on behalf of several locations and maintain links with the central procurement function in the UK.  Procurement is a delivery partner to the FCDO business, providing advice and expertise to the business across the procurement lifecycle though to a shared responsibility for the successful delivery of larger procurement projects.

The Regional Procurement Manager will support the Regional Procurement Deputy Head providing guidance and support to stakeholders through management of the procurement Leads on daily procurement activities, delivering procurement services across the regional network of office locations.  In addition to delivering regional procurement projects, through strong management skills the job holder will have the responsibility for the management of the team effective work planning, ensuring that procurement processes operate smoothly and consistently within the region and build relationships with the key regional suppliers.  The Job Holder and the team will be responsible for the day-to-day relationship with all posts across the Americas Network– and other posts in the region, as may be required.  Forecasting requirements for goods and services across category areas, identifying priority areas and posts for P2P and contract management training (as well as other applicable trainings) and proactively researching suppliers who can help the FCDO to meet its VFM objective.  The Job Holder will work closely with a wide variety of internal customers; helping to identify, specify and deliver against Post and Regional requirements for the full range of Goods and Services in all Category Areas.  Responsible for managing the day to day Regional Procurement activity in Mexico, supporting the Deputy Head of Regional Procurement delivering the regional strategy and targets for the region.

The jobholder will be self-starter, proactive, requiring emotional intelligence with a solution orientated mind-set and leadership and managerial skills.

Roles and responsibilities :

This role will require the jobholder to work independently on a day-to-day basis, setting goals and targets that align with the wider team.  The jobholder will need to be able to solve problems by weighing up a number of choices that balance the needs of operational efficiency, customer service and procurement policy and in doing so will be making operational decisions that they may need to justify and defend.  The jobholder will carry out Procurement Lead account manager duties in line with the EO positions but in addition will also:

Be the initial escalation point when customers do not feel they are receiving a satisfactory service

Be a source of support and offer support and advice to the Procurement Team when they are faced with challenges in their work

Ensure standardisation of processes and documents between the 2 Hubs (DC and Mexico)

Building capabilities of team members through mentoring, coaching and where necessary, performance management.

Work closely with the HEO Regional Procurement Manager in Washington DC in identifying opportunities for standardisation, continuous process improvements and balancing workloads of team members.

This is a challenging role and is suited to a dynamic, self-starter proactive with a proven track record in procurement.  We are looking for someone who is confident and can solve problems and launch themselves into new tasks with energy and enthusiasm.  You will be working as a part of the Regional Procurement Hub and with a wide range of people from different backgrounds, including other government departments.

Delivery of Regional Procurement Projects with lifetime value exceeding £25,000 (55%)

Working with customers at post in accessing regional requirements; identifying cross regional requirements and utilising regional frameworks including the procurement of new ones.  To conduct procurement of Goods, Services and Works for:

Requirements valued £25,000 - £122,000

Requirements valued £115,000 and above with support from the Commercial team in the UK

Ensuring procurements are carried out in accordance with Commercial policy, managing risks and assuring value for money.

Leading on development of Regional Category strategies.

Managing the Team (15%)

To support the Regional Head by day-to-day management of the Regional Procurement Team based in Mexico City, covering posts across the Americas as may be required.

Providing support and guidance to Posts for Procurements below £25,000 (15%)

Working with customers at post within the region on a day to day basis to support staff at Post with low value procurement activity including optimisation of suppliers and providing advice on Contract Management.  This includes challenging assumptions, quantifying the need and providing advice and guidance.

Liaising with the GTPC on relevant P2P activities (5%)

Co-ordination with the Transactional Processing Team as support /cover for the regional representative of procurement process owner. SMF and ASL processes. To provide support for POs over £25,000 if required.

Managing Procurement Performance (10%)

Producing reports for the deputy head, managing accurate pipelines data and information; KPI’s and SLA delivery and ensuring regional savings are captured and reported.

Resources managed:

Line management of 3 x EO(L)

Bachelor’s Degree and/or qualified by experience, ideally with relevant post-graduate or professional qualification (e.g. holds or is studying towards CIPS or CPSM).