Category Manager (Social Care) - Internal

Job Purpose:

Before applying for this job, it is important that you read the guidance by clicking on this link and the Job Profile attached. These explain the job role and the type of person we're looking for.

Location: Woodhill House, 116 Westburn Road
Duration: Permanent, Full Time

Roles that require PVG Membership

Please note that with effect from 1 April 2023, where a role requires PVG membership, candidates will be required to meet the cost of the PVG membership. This applies only to roles with a full time equivalent salary of £30,000 and above. (Teaching roles and jobs at Grade 10 and above (currently £30,030 per annum / £16.50 per hour)

The Council will pay for the PVG membership cost initially, either £18 for existing PVG scheme members, or £59 for non-members, and this cost will be deducted from an employee’s first FULL month’s salary payment.

Job purpose/about the role

The post holder will be responsible for the strategic sourcing of a specific group(s) of goods and services, across all partners of the Commercial and Procurement Shared Service, in order to meet Corporate savings targets, improve the quality of goods and services and manage risk on purchasing. The post holder will play a critical role within the Council, co-ordinating buying/sourcing activity for stakeholders across theCouncils, driving cost and efficiency savings and improved value through the use of best procurement practice.

The remit of the Social Care team covers Social and other Specific Services as set out in Schedule 3 of the Public Contract (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Services are currently provided to Aberdeen City Council and Health and Social Care Partnership; and Aberdeenshire Council, and Health and Social Care Partnership, for all commissioning activity and procurements This role will support the commissioning of outcome focussed, high quality social care services that represent value for money on behalf of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils and respective Integrated Health and Social Care Partnerships, carrying out the procurement process and contract management activities. The team provides support, advice, guidance and carries out practical tasks linked to commissioning, procurement and contract management

The post holder needs to hold as a minimum:

• Relevant Business Studies / Administrative qualification to HND / SVQ4 level

The postholder is able to demonstrate:

• Strong selling skills to act as an internal and external ambassador of C&PSS
• Problem solving / analytical skills
• The ability to lead, plan and implement change and innovation to drive procurement best practice
• Negotiation skills and the ability to be assertive as required in enforcing compliance with procurement and other relevant activity
• A focus on results, and management of projects and programmes to improve
  performance and deliver effective services to customers
• Ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships working across
  service/organisational boundaries and with others external to the Councils
• Strong team working skills
• Ability to manage workload and work to tight deadlines
• Ability to work autonomously, being a self-starter
• Flexibility and the ability to respond to urgent requests, simultaneous demands or
  shifting priorities

About Us

Please see the Job Profile for further details.

Aberdeen City Council is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. For further information, please see our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Recruitment pack.

Flexible Working

We are happy to talk flexible working and offer flexible working for most roles in the organisation meaning that many of our employees enjoy the freedom of choosing a working pattern that suits them as much as it suits the organisation.

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confident Employer.  If you consider yourself to have a disability and think you may require a reasonable adjustment to be made for this part of the selection process, or would like further information in relation to reasonable adjustments, please contact Recruitment@aberdeencity.gov.uk.

Armed Forces

We are a forces-friendly employer, have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a gold award recipient in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.  We have a specific email address for those in the forces, those who have left the forces, as well as their partners / spouses / families: armedforces@aberdeencity.gov.uk.  We are able to answer questions about jobs and our application / selection process, as well as about our employee support provisions.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We have a number of guaranteed interview schemes available to applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for who:

• have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 (all jobs)
• looked after young people, those that are in continuing care or are a care leaver up to the age of 29 (all jobs)
• are aged 16-24 and live in Aberdeen City or have been to an Aberdeen City Council school and are applying for a Modern Apprenticeship (except Trades apprenticeships)
• have done a Foundation Apprenticeship with Aberdeen City Council and are applying for any apprenticeships relevant to the area in which they did their Foundation Apprenticeship
• are New Scots aged 16-24 and are applying for any apprenticeships

Please note that eligibility to work in the UK is dependent on legal status and all applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK.