Senior/Principal Consultant – Procurement Specialist (Resources and Waste)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a procurement advisory consultant to lead and support projects across a broad range of waste management themes in the UK. You will manage projects, draft reports, and interact with council officers and other stakeholders to deliver value for clients.

You will contribute to business development, prepare tender documentation, and mentor junior staff while upholding WSP’s values and standards. Hybrid working is available across the UK.

Qualifications

• First degree in a relevant subject, preferably science, environment or engineering.
• Experience in environmental and waste services procurement projects for local authorities.
• Ability to develop technical specifications, pricing schedules and payment mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects to deliver on time and within budget with high client satisfaction.
• Provide input as technical expert on waste projects and reports.
• Attend client meetings from inception to final reporting with diverse stakeholders.
• Lead and support proposal development to ensure high quality, clear and competitive bids.
• Develop services using robust, time- and cost-efficient methodologies.
• Build and maintain relationships to grow the business pipeline.

Skills

Procurement advisory

Proposal development

Client relationship management

Time management

Education

First degree in science/environment/engineering

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? WSP is one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms working across many sectors. We are growing across the business and the business plan within the Circular Economy & Waste Advisory team is to enhance and broaden the current service offering.

A Little More About Your Role

• Provide technical procurement advisory services to our clients by leading, managing and/or assisting our project delivery teams;
• Lead and/or assist the team in preparing proposal;
• Lead and/or assist with other business development initiatives including publication of thought pieces and articles;
• Line management and/or mentoring of junior staff; and
• Care for our clients, team members and business values.

Guidance and support will be provided, as needed, to help the consultant confidently deliver the above job role and transition into next stages of their career.

The range of projects the post-holder could expect to contribute to include but not limited to:

• Leading and/or providing support on projects across a wide range of waste management themes, with a focus on the procurement of waste infrastructure and environmental services contracts;
• Supporting procurement exercises including assessing contract extension proposals, developing tender specifications and associated documentation and evaluating bidder submissions or working with bidders to develop and review their proposals;
• The development of business cases to support the delivery of services differently, whether that be through a change of collection method or service management model; and
• Environmental service reviews to analyse the effectiveness and efficiency of existing services to identify improvements and savings for clients.

Prime Responsibilities And Duties

• Manage projects by applying our internal procedures ensuring that projects are well monitored, delivered on-time and within budget with high client satisfaction ratings;
• Act as technical expert providing input to a range of resources and waste projects. This will include taking responsibility for the drafting of whole reports (with input from others) or contributing to aspects as directed;
• Attend meetings with clients from inception stage to final reporting. Such meetings may be attended by a range of stakeholders and clients including Council officers, members and frontline staff, private sector representatives from a number of sectors and other organisations such as WRAP and Defra;
• Lead and support the development of proposals ensuring they are of a high quality, clear and competitive;
• Develop and deliver services by implementing methodologies that are innovative, robust, time and cost effective and client focussed; and
• Build and maintain relationships with existing clients, potential clients and other networks to maintain and increase the profile of the company and to develop work pipelines.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• First degree in a relevant subject, preferably in the field of science, environment or engineering
• Pertinent experience of environmental and waste services or infrastructure procurement projects for local authorities
• Experience of developing (or making a substantial contribution to the development of) several of the following documents:
  • Technical specification;
  • Method statement submission requirements;
  • Performance management framework;
  • Invitation to tender;
  • Pricing schedule; and
  • Payment mechanism.
• Experience of competitive dialogue and/or competitive procedure with negotiation procurement procedures
• Understanding of resources and waste legislation and policy in the UK
• Experience of working with Council’s Officers
• High levels of written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to deal proactively with senior colleagues
• Excellent time management skills, including the ability to respond to requests for outputs at short notice.

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.