Chief Procurement Officer

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

The Chief Procurement Officer reports to the University President and is expected to provide leadership and take responsibility for the University’s strategic sourcing, procurement and supply chain management processes. In so doing, he/she will also be responsible for planning, organising, coordinating, directing and controlling all procurement activities within the University, including the creation and revision of policies and procedures required to govern, coordinate and direct the procurement function, so as to ensure that the University’s mandate is achieved. The Chief Procurement Officer is further expected to analyse, categorise and account for goods and services procured according to risk and spend in a manner prescribed by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act and relevant Guidelines and Handbook.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Formulates procurement policies, procedures and processes to ensure compliance with statutory obligations.
• Monitors performance of Unit via established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and completes staff appraisals in keeping with the University’s performance management system in an effort to develop and enhance the human capital resource of the Unit.
• Develops and maintains an enhanced procurement system and directs the procurement function/unit in accordance with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act, Guidelines, Handbook and approved Annual Procurement Plan.
• Leads the development of the Annual Procurement Plan.
• Identifies the supply risks associated with each category of goods and services being procured and devises appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
• Monitors and measures procurement performance and drafts the Annual Procurement Performance Report.
• Makes recommendations for the revision and improvement of the Procurement Handbook and Special Guidelines.
• Compiles reports as required for submission to the Office of Procurement Regulation.
• Approves or withholds approval of recommended contract awards following procurement undertaken by the Procurement Officer, subject to the advice of the Senior Procurement Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• A postgraduate degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Management or a related field, from a recognised institution.
• Approximately eight (8) years of progressive strategic procurement experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing high-risk and high-value procurement projects of strategic significance.
• Proven ability to lead and manage the procurement function at an organisational level.

COMPETENCIES

• In-depth knowledge of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act (2015) of Trinidad and Tobago.
• Knowledge of legislative process in public policy development.
• Knowledge of government/public administration.
• Exceptional negotiating skills.
• Change management skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Marketing, research and benchmarking skills.
• Exceptional communication skills – verbal and written.
• Highly ethical, trustworthy and credible individual who is respectful of diverse views and opinions of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability in leading a high-performance team.
• Demonstrated ability to use accounting, budgeting and statistical analysis tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work with internal and external stakeholders of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to delegate responsibility and authority while maintaining accountability.
• Proficient in the use of software programmes, systems, and databases utilised by universities including Microsoft® Office programmes (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and related technology skills required.
• Willingness to work in an environment with flexible project deadlines.