London or Leeds - hybrid - onsite only once per month and will some potential travel to other locations

The role:

This role is responsible for leading end-to-end procurement activities, from pre-procurement planning and market engagement through to contract award and administration. Key responsibilities include drafting tender documentation, evaluating bids, managing contracts, and ensuring supplier performance and payment accuracy. The postholder will also collaborate with stakeholders and other government departments, resolve supplier issues, and support the development of category management practices.

Experience in supporting or delivering a Delivery Model Assessment (DMA) is highly desirable, particularly in the context of service transformation projects.

Essential criteria include extensive full life cycle procurement experience, strong stakeholder and communication skills, sound commercial judgement and knowledge of public sector procurement legislation.

Key accountabilities:

• Lead end to end sourcing activity including pre-procurement activity, requirements definition, strategy development, market engagement and producing the invitation to tender pack (including specification, technical and financial evaluation and contract drafting), evaluation, moderation, award letters, contract signatures
• Contract administration of a range of contracts, including developing and managing contract variations and change control and other contract mechanisms
• Assuring the pay and performance mechanisms work correctly and validation of contractor performance and assurance of payment applications
• Collaborating with other government departments where appropriate on commercial opportunities
• Leading conflict and issue resolution with suppliers and stakeholders, seeking support from the Senior Commercial Manager where appropriate
• Supporting the Senior Commercial Manager and leading on activities which support the development of category management procedures, tools and ways of working
• Contributing to Delivery Model Assessments (DMA), helping evaluate delivery options and commercial viability, with an emphasis on aligning commercial strategy to operational requirements

Essential Skills & Criteria:

• Significant procurement experience using a range of procedures
• END TO END procurement, full life cycle
• Strong business acumen and ability to show evidence-based decision making
• Excellent stakeholder management skills
• Excellent communication (written and oral) and influencing skills
• Awareness of public sector procurement legislation
• Relevant commercial experience
• E-procurement system experience - Jaggaer (desirable)
• Experience in supporting or leading Delivery Model Assessments (DMA), especially within government service programmes.