Senior Commercial Manager

Reporting to the Head of Commercial – Commissioning and Operational, the Senior Commercial Manager is responsible for deploying the Commercial vision and plans which encompass day-to-day spend with suppliers together with strategic plans developed by the Category Management team for all spend areas excluding Grants, Science and International Development Communities within the Organisation.

The position holder will manage the pipeline of commercial activities, allocating work on a day-to-day basis across the operational commercial team. The prime responsibility is to oversee and manage a range of procurements and market approaches, ensuring effective solutions are achieved, value for money achieved alongside compliance with Government Commercial standards and the Organisation’s internal procedures.

This role presents an excellent opportunity to influence and shape how they procure it’s goods and services making substantial impacts to overall outcomes.

The post holder is expected to be an expert in all aspects of commercial and procurement with a high degree of competence and skill in negotiating and advising on often complex legal contracts. This role will be responsible for reporting all activities relating to commercial activities within the Operational team and ensuring that this reporting meets the overall objectives of the business. This role will ensure that all work is delivered in alignment with the Government Commercial Standards.

Main Responsibilities

3.1.	Developing and using knowledge and experience of supplier markets and based on best practice, create, implement and review market approach procedures covering the commercial lifecycle in compliance with business requirements and Public Sector Contract Regulations 2006 for defined areas of responsibility as directed by the Head of Commercial. This must align with Government Commercial Function – Commercial Functional Standards and BEIS requirements (where captured by external Assurance process like Cabinet Office Spending Controls and Outsourcing Playbook). It should also align to internal procedures including Procurement lifecycle; risk register and other internal processes.
3.2	Ensure operation and timely updating of the commercial pipeline to provide a clear view across the operations team of resourcing needs and distribution of workload to assure timely delivery of commercial initiatives to meet the organisation’s needs. Forecast and highlight to Head of Commercial resource issues arising
3.3	Oversee tools and ensure appropriate use by the team. Overall responsibility for generation of Dashboard reports

Key Dimensions

3.6	To manage, make decisions and provide professional commercial advice to ensure contracts and partnerships are legally compliant to minimise risk in terms of challenge and impact on the business. This role must be strategic thinking and be aware of external influences and barriers.
3.7	Provide support, expert advice and representation where required for high value, novel or contentious procurements. As defined by the Government Commercial Function
3.8	Responsible for signing commercial contracts for a specific value where the requirement meets specific criteria outlined within the Delegated Authorities Policies for the in-scope areas
3.9	Principal interface with key stakeholders for the in-scope commercial areas and when deputising for the Head. Typically advising stakeholders on process, supply markets, timescales, supplier performance management and issues and procurement procedures.
3.10	Promote collaboration and sharing of best practices across the Operations team, the wider commercial team and the wider organisation. Specifically close collaboration with the Head of Commercial -Strategic & Partnerships and their team is vital

Person Specification

Certificated Qualifications

Essential Criteria

4.1

MCIPS qualified or studying towards qualification;

Desirable Criteria

4.3.	PRINCE II Project Management, MSP
4.4.	Management qualification
4.5	IACCM – Contract Management or Supplier Relationship Management

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Behaviours

Essential Criteria

5.1.	The ability to provide strategic advice and guidance, understanding risk appetites and application of the relevant laws.
5.2	Good experience of Public sector procurement
5.3	Experience of technology procurement would be advantageous
5.2	Adaptable to change in line with new emerging business drivers and government requirements.
5.3	Ability to think laterally, challenge traditional patterns of service delivery and develop new approaches.
5.4	The ability to demonstrate drive and personal effectiveness, with excellent planning and decision skills.
5.5	Excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrating proven ability to build trust and influence across the organisation and with suppliers.
5.6	The ability to develop relationships with key stakeholders across the business and government together with the ability to both negotiate and manage expectations around delivery.
5.7	Able to evaluate, assess and record risks and provide advice on suitable mitigations
5.8	Capability to prepare and deliver presentations to large groups of staff, stakeholders and senior executives