Senior Commercial Officer

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 245665**Salary**:

- £37,295 - £44,724**Job grade**:

- Senior Executive Officer**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Business area**:

- DEFRA - COO - Commercial**Type of role**:

- Commercial**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Peterborough, Reading, Warrington, YorkAbout the job

**Job summary**:
The role is within the Supplier Relationship Management and Contract Management (SRMCM) Team which provides expertise to define best practice standards for contract and supplier management for Defra group. The team works with Defra group business areas on adopting best practice and building contract management capability, and to identify and put in place continuous improvements. We also manage the Long Term Services Agreement (LTSA) framework with Fera Science Ltd, providing key research and diagnostic services to government.

You will help shape and strengthen supplier relationships, governance and intelligence to help Defra deliver ambitious goals. This will include working with senior stakeholders to ensure supply chain risks are clearly understood, owned and managed at the highest level.

The SRMCM Team is responsible for identifying and analysing the risks and resilience in the supply markets and suppliers Defra group relies on deliver. You will provide smart, robust, advice and insight to Defra, drawing together information from across the organisation.

**Job description**:
You will support the development of Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activity within Defra. We aim to build stronger, more productive relationships with key suppliers to make the most of opportunities for both parties. You will support the Commercial Manager to identify the suppliers Defra need to focus on by analysing the relevant markets, ensuring Defra has a strong understanding of market health and the risks and opportunities this presents. You will report on your findings and your insight to help Defra stakeholders make commercially astute decisions. You will work with Defra’s contract managers and suppliers to establish and mature Defra’s SRM approach.

You will be part of the team that contract manage the LTSA Framework, ensuring successful delivery of the strategic services and using best-practice contract management approaches. You will work with Defra and the supplier to monitor and ensure delivery to time, cost and quality, contribute to the framework’s governance, ensure that new activities are tasked efficiently, drive value for money and ensure the agreements remain fit for purpose at all times.

You will engage with DgC Colleagues, building the Commercial network both internally and through the wider Defra group and other Government bodies. You will use your expertise to develop and promote contract management best practice, working with customers, colleagues and suppliers.

**Person specification**:

- Track record of managed contracts in accordance with best practice, ensuring delivery to time, quality and cost.
- Presented conclusions and made recommendations evidenced by analysed information including financial information.
- Formed positive working relationships with colleagues, customers and suppliers including influencing and challenging to gain the best outcome. You may have some line management experience.
- Given day-to-day advice on contract management practices, providing guidance and insights to manage and develop key supplier relationships.
- Developed your knowledge of commercial markets and suppliers and shared knowledge with colleagues which may have included insights and analysis.
- Proactively identified risks and issues and managed plans to mitigate.
- Attended and potentially chaired meetings to gain decisions including setting agendas, leading on items and recording actions and decisions.
- Understand regulatory frameworks, ideally some exposure to Public Contracts Regulations, working within agreed policies and processes and promoted those standards in the way you work.
- Delivered improved ways of working, business change or efficiency.
- Invested in your own development which might have included keeping up to date on legislation, best practice or developing industry knowledge. Hold or be prepared to study towards CIPS level 6 qualifications or WCC (World Commerce and Contracting) accreditation.

**Behaviours**:
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together

**Benefits**:

- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

**Selection process de