Purchase Order Manager

3 Months contract with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

·         The Purchase Order Manager will manage and maintain the quality of the processes and data for the payment of services and products for the Authority including for the NLHPP project. 

·         The postholder will liaise with budget holders, consultants and external advisers to obtain scopes and costs for new and anticipated work packages in order to prepare task orders for that work.  The post holder will process invoices for payment and monitor paid costs and resolve issues with disputed invoices.

Key Duties/Accountabilities:

·         Managing and maintaining the quality of the processes and data for the payment of services and products for the Authority.

·         Liaise with budget holders, consultants, and external advisers to obtain scopes and costs for new and anticipated work packages in order to prepare task orders and purchase orders.

·         Process invoices for payment and monitoring of paid costs, by reviewing, logging and seeking appropriate approvals, as well as managing disputed invoices.

·         Assist with change management process, review, and implement approved change requests; by preparing new and revised task orders for issuing to vendors and advisers.

·         Preparing Budget / Task Order cost reports and liaising with Project Managers to monitor spend against budget.

·         Prepare and update Budget Monitoring logs for review by budget holders and project managers.

·         Supporting the Head of Finance with Year End / Audit preparations

·         Review adviser contracts and undertake rates analysis in line with CPI / RPI indices as published by the Office for National Statistics.

·         Work closely with the North London Heat & Power Project (NLHPP) Cost Team to provide appropriate forward forecasting of advisers’ costs and construction project costs within the NLHPP programme.

·         Attend and contribute to Finance Team meetings to discuss Budget Management, Purchase Orders system set-up, NLHPP project costs and Invoice Processing & Payments.

·         Working together with the NLHPP Finance Business Partner to provide detailed analysis/explanations on the variations in results between budget (task order values), forecast and prior year data, and financial systems.

Essential Experience Required:

·         Experience auditing and reviewing multiple data sources from advisers to create meaningful analysis, draw conclusions and deliver insight to budget holders and project managers including identifying inconsistencies, discrepancies and overcharges is essential.

·         Experience working with the Project Director and budget holders to Identify cost saving initiatives by providing continual and timely estimates of the value of work completed is essential.

Essential Qualification Required:

·         The candidate should be Literate and numerate with Good general education.

Additional information to note:

·         Working hours: 36 hours per week.  

The closing date for the role is 30th April 2024