Commercial Procurement Manager

The Commercial Procurement Manager is responsible for supporting all RSSB stakeholders with external contractual commitments. You will identify high value for money savings or income opportunities through:

• Timely and accurate management information;
• Planning, building and maintaining pre-defined stakeholder profiles and reviewing and supporting specifications;
• Operating compliant process across 3-12month horizon and;
• Bridging self-skills and development gaps.

You will work alongside the other Commercial Procurement Managers, providing support and assistance and ensuring team and Directorate objectives are met.  You will also support the Head of Procurement and Commercial in the following key areas:

• The end to end Procurement process;
• Support the Business Development team with the commercial process; and
• Commissioning process of Grants received and the authorisation process of Grants to be let

Responsibilities

Procurement Activity

The Commercial Procurement Manager will provide professional, qualified procurement expertise, advice and services ensuring that RSSB’s business and procurement needs are met through the procurement of goods, services and works whilst ensuring efficiencies and value for money and contributing to the RSSB’s aims and objectives. The role will also promote and engage in collaboration and information sharing with all relevant parties.

•  Conduct market analysis and engage in initial market dialogue, where appropriate;
• Develop cost models for input into any bids or sales contract proposals.
• Productively challenge end users' requirements for cost-effectiveness and need, taking account of whole life costs;
• Identify and engage other subject matter experts as required for Procurement activity (e.g. end user, legal, finance etc.);
• Review and advise the end user on an appropriate output-based specification which is fashioned to attract market interest and stimulate competition;
• Develop a procurement strategy which requires consideration of existing and/or collaborative contracts;
• Ensure that all procurement processes (tender, order from framework etc.) are compliant with relevant legal and policy obligations, advertising through the tender portal where appropriate;
• Publicise procurement contact points and making available as much information as suppliers reasonably need to respond to the bidding process;
• Understand and comply with relevant legal obligations relating to the goods, services or works to be purchased, e.g. environmental/health and safety legislation;
• Ensure that procurement decisions take account of wider policy requirements and aligned against organisational objectives;
• Conduct any procurement clarification required during the tender process
• Finalise the contractual agreement and formal contract documentation;
• Establishing a clear audit trail (including recording the contract on the organisation's contract register);
• Notify the outcome of bids promptly and, within the bounds of confidentiality, debriefing winners and losers on the outcome of the bidding process to facilitate better performance on future occasions;
• Ensure that robust contract and supplier management arrangements are in place, in order to support periodic contract reviews and supplier management as appropriate;
• Negotiate, deliver and communicate contract and framework agreements which deliver efficiencies in line with financial reporting and forecasting systems.; and
• Support contract reviews and lead negotiations during the contract term to ensure continued fitness for purpose with respect to scope, budget and performance change, risk and be responsible, day to day, for the development, negotiation and agreement of contract change requests;
• Sharing knowledge to develop best practice; and
• Supporting ad-hoc procurement activity as required.

Commercial

Managing the provision of a professional best practise commercial contracts service for RSSB to support the management of contractual risk and ensure high stakeholder satisfaction whilst supporting internal stakeholders with the delivery of strategic commercial projects from concept through specification, proposal, contract and delivery.

• Manage the commercial contracting process in consultation with the Business Development (BD) team;
• Provide assistance, support and guidance on all arising commercial activities including (but not exclusively):
• • Sales orders
  • Proposals
  • Commercial projects
  • Contractual queries and issues
• Clearly identify any emerging contractual risk on each project through effective commercial dashboard information and close collaboration with other relevant heads of department.
• Work with BD to establish, develop and maintain accurate and up to date cost analysis information;
• Provide contractual advice to operational colleagues during the sales order or bidding process;
• In collaboration with BD, draft customer quotations and/or proposals using input from operational delivery teams and submit to the Head of BD for review and approval prior to issue;
• Help support the development of commercial knowledge and awareness of colleagues in non-commercial roles;
• Working with the BD team, identify and support implementation of improvements to commercial review procedures;
• Complete monthly review of contract results and performance in conjunction with the BD team;
• In collaboration with BD and Finance, confirm the invoice schedule for the sales agreement. Finance will manage the invoicing process.
• Deal with final account contract negotiation and closure in association with the BD team; and
• Ensure full compliance with Company commercial procedures and corporate governance requirements.

Commissioning of Research & Development

• Manage the grant process to ensure timely delivery and performance;
• Manage the governance process for each grant opportunity; and
• Complete the financial due diligence for each grant and competition received.

Business Process

• Resolve contractual and commercial problems, escalating them to the Head of Procurement and Commercial or Head of Business Development as appropriate.
• Ensure the continuous review and improvement of procurement and commercial activity to ensure it is fit for purpose and aligned to business requirements.
• Deputise for immediate manager when required.
• Ensure management information is accurate and reviewed periodically.

Qualifications

• Qualified or working towards MCIPS professional qualification or equivalent.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of UK Procurement Regulations and EU procurement directives and experience in applying these to day-to-day procurement activities and documentation.
• Computer literate with the ability to assimilate new business systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to influence others both internally and externally up to senior level including through presentations, negotiation and written reports.
• Time and resource management with the ability to effectively manage conflicting priorities.
• Solution orientated with a customer focus and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience of effectively managing end to end procurements and commercial agreements.
• Experience in preparing, reviewing and agreeing contract terms and commercial schedules.
• Substantial experience in a procurement function involved in high risk, high value, complex works, services and supplies covering a range of commodities and stakeholders.
• Negotiation skills including experience of commercial negotiations
• Contractual knowledge and experience including a wide range of contract conditions; analytical and numerical skills.
• Experience of developing and implementing policy and procedures as well as new ways of thinking and working.
• A commitment to RSSB’s values and customer service

Early applications are encouraged, as we may close this vacancy before the advertised deadline if sufficient numbers of applications are received.

We are committed to respecting diversity, providing equal opportunities in employment and ultimately creating a workplace which is inclusive to everyone that works for and with us.   

We understand the importance of work-life balance and we offer our staff the flexibility to work within our core hours and the option to vary their location between both the office and home. If you are looking for further flexibility, speak to us at interview stage so that we can consider your request.      

We value our staff and we offer a competitive benefits package to ensure our staff can achieve their best throughout their journey with us. This includes 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays); a holiday buy and sell scheme; private medical and dental cover; a season ticket loan and travel subsidy; access to a cycle to work scheme; volunteer leave; a performance related bonus and pension.