Responsible Procurement and Social Value Manager

Band E - £38,220 to £44,075 per annum (pay award pending)

At Solihull Council, we believe every pound we spend should deliver more than just a service. It should create opportunities for local people, strengthen communities, support our economy and contribute towards a more sustainable future.

We're looking for a Responsible Procurement and Social Value Manager to help drive this vision forward.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development and delivery of our Responsible Procurement Policy Framework and Social Value agenda, helping to ensure that procurement decisions deliver measurable social, environmental and economic benefits for Solihull residents and businesses.

Working across the organisation and with external partners, you'll influence procurement strategies, support contract delivery, develop innovative approaches to social value and sustainability, and champion best practice across the Council. You'll work with colleagues, suppliers, community organisations, schools, colleges and voluntary sector partners to maximise the positive impact of our procurement activity.

As our subject matter expert on responsible procurement and social value, you will:

• Lead the implementation and ongoing development of the Council's Responsible Procurement Policy Framework and Social Value Policy.
• Support procurement projects and category strategies to ensure social value, sustainability and responsible procurement principles are embedded throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Develop approaches to measure, monitor and report on social value outcomes and wider benefits delivered through contracts.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the Council, partner organisations, suppliers, SMEs and voluntary and community sector organisations.
• Provide advice, guidance, coaching and training to colleagues across the organisation.
• Keep abreast of developments in social value, sustainability and procurement legislation and best practice, helping the Council continuously improve its approach.

About you

You may come from a procurement, commissioning, regeneration, sustainability, project management or social value background, but you'll bring:

• Experience of developing, delivering or monitoring social value, sustainability or community-benefit initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build productive relationships across a wide range of audiences.
• An understanding of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 and the role procurement can play in supporting organisational objectives.
• Knowledge of, or an interest in, responsible procurement principles and current public sector priorities.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly and confidently.

This is an essential car user post. Applicants must be able to drive, have a driving licence and be a car owner or have use of a car, however for disabled applicants, reasonable adjustments will be made where required.

In return, we offer:

• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
• The chance to influence strategic outcomes and help create lasting benefits for residents, communities and local businesses.

If you have any questions prior to submitting your application, please contact Liam Loftus on [email removed]

Interviews will take place between 7th and 17th August (flexible to suit candidate availability)

Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.