Commercial Officer - Strategic Procurement

Job Description

SF Recruitment are working with a national not-for-profit, who are recruiting a Commercial officer, to sit within their centralised procurement function. This is a permanent role, based in Birmingham & the organisation operate a Hybrid working model:General Role DescriptionThis role is new to the procurement team. The Commercial Officer will lead and manage complex and strategic procurement activity. The Commercial Officer will ensure that all scrutiny and assurance as required by top level budget holders such as governmentdepartments and other shared services is satisfied.The Commercial Officer will enable and assure the delivery of the best value for money solutions through their contributions at each stage of the procurement process to include:- Provide innovative strategic advice and to develop and implement appropriate procurement sourcing strategies that align to business plan objectives in order to deliver value for money, innovation and robust contractual arrangements, and ensure compliancewith process and policies, Cabinet Officespend Controls and wider process and policies as may be appropriate; and- Conform to the Public Contracts Regulations where appropriate taking consideration of aggregate spend.- Use foresight and judgement to identify issues and risks associated with the delivery of procurements, taking early mitigating actions to minimise effects.- Work closely with project leads and internal stakeholders to assist in the creation of specifications/requirements which are commercially focused, create competition, are appropriately assured and deliver best value.- Ensure that full audit trails are preserved on actions elating to individual procurements and that central record keeping is maintained at all times.- Seek out and implement opportunities for continuous improvement within procurement processes.- Develop and maintain relationships with internal customers and partner with other government bodies where appropriate .- Promotes collaboration, lean and efficient working practices.- Identify sourcing options ensuring the most appropriate route to market is utilised and evidence is provided.- Responsible for developing a forward contract work plan for the area(s) of responsibility.- Provide key stakeholders with the tools to effectively manage supplier relationships and contracts.Description of Duties- Liaise with internal stakeholders on their commercial and procurement activity. Ensure it is complaint with internal policies and procedures as well as the Public Contracts Regulations where appropriate. Act as a source for commercial advice and support.- Development of individual procurement strategies which takes into account current and future requirements, the supply chain, overall market and industry trends.- Work closely with all levels of the organisation, regional Chief Executives, Heads of Estate, Facilities and Finance and others as may be appropriate.- Provide relevant training to those you support in the area of commercial and procurement.- Provide assurance to Commercial Director that methods and processes for Managing Public Money are clearly adhered to through compliance and best practice.- Commercial assurance, scrutiny and approval will be embedded and aligned with those for finance and contract approvals.- Any other activity in line with the procurement end to end process as may be needed.Essentials- CIPS level 4 or equivalent commercial experience in purchasing or supply chain or commit to working towards this qualification as part of their role.- Good working knowledge of the public Contracts Regulations.- Purchasing experience, developing procurement strategies, evaluating tender responses, undertaking bid conditioning and clarification, award contracts, debrief suppliers, manage supplier relationships.- Experience working with e-tendering systems.- Excellent communication and influencing skills to meet the needs of a diverse organisation.- Able to present information/proposals/ideas effectively whilst engaging the audience and clearly communicate the benefits.- Able to work effectively and individually as a member of a team.- Excellent attention to detail.- Flexible and responsive to tasking and direction, with a high level of commitment to succeed. Able to take full ownership of tasks/adopts proactive approach.Desirable- Familiarity of Cabinet Office Spend Controls- Knowledge of soft and hard facilities maintenance (cleaning, grounds maintenance, fleet, minor works, building refurbishments and new builds)- Knowledge of Estates, buildings, civil engineering- Familiarity with JCT and NEC forms of contract.- Knowledge of Government, Defence or Public sector Commercial Procurement.